Arena District committee approves Accenture scope; chair proposes three‑way funding split

Mayor Kelly Girtz said the Arena District Steering Committee approved an updated scope of work on March 3 for Accenture to lead a multi‑phase study and facilitation effort to guide development of the district.

The study phase will include briefings, a project timeline and stakeholder engagement, Interim Assistant Manager Ilka McConnell told the committee. McConnell said the work builds on materials already collected from the Classic Center and other local sources, and that some studies (utility maps, zoning information, parcel ownership) may need updating depending on age.

The scope of work presented to the committee lays out a multi‑phase approach. Phase 1 focuses on study and analysis including public open houses and stakeholder input; Phase 2 expands market analysis, infrastructure coordination and financial modeling; later phases will move toward developer solicitation and geostructuring. The mayor said Phases 1 and 2 together are estimated not to exceed $600,000, inclusive of outside consulting, and that later phase costs will be determined as the project advances.

Mayor Kelly Girtz outlined a proposed funding strategy he plans to bring to the Mayor and Commission and to the Classic Center Authority through an intergovernmental agreement. Under the plan, roughly one‑third of the study cost would be covered with existing SPLOST revenue, one‑third by accumulated Tax Allocation District (TAD) revenue designated for use west of the river, and one‑third by the Classic Center Authority. The mayor said the total cost is approximately $600,000, prorated to about $562,000 in billable expenses.

Committee members moved and seconded the scope approval. Commissioner Allison Wright moved to approve the scope of work; Commissioner John Culpepper seconded the motion and the committee approved it unanimously. Earlier in the meeting the committee also unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the draft minutes from Nov. 19, 2025.

The mayor said staff continue to finalize the contract and aim to place it on the Commission agenda in March with a vote expected in April; the contractor would need to be under contract by that time. The committee will hold a Phase 1 kickoff meeting that will focus on governance protocols, how decisions will be made, and how the process will move forward. The mayor said the committee will primarily serve as a stakeholder group providing input on community considerations and Classic Center success, with the next major decision point expected during Phase 3 when developer selection becomes central.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for April 17, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:20 p.m.