Let Billy build his own museum.
I applaud your editorial April 19 in regard to the proposition for a new baseball stadium ("Stadium proposal off base -- and off ballot").
Augusta already has a baseball stadium, and a fine one at that! We have attended many games there, enjoying ourselves each time. The parking is easy, the visibility excellent, and the location very convenient. Of all the needs in our community, a new stadium is not one. In addition, for outdoor events, we have the Jessye Norman Amphitheater, directly on the river.
If the city wants to spend its money, let it consider a museum building. The Morris Museum of Art holds a very prestigious collection that deserves a building of its own as a centerpiece on the river. The city of Augusta should demonstrate its pride in that museum by placing it in its own space, just as it did for the Augusta Museum of History when Mayor Charles DeVaney was in office.
Please work with the citizens of Augusta who agree with your views on this issue.
Gloria R. Greenbaum
Augusta
Comments
Let Billy build his own museum.
Last time I checked there already was a very nice Fine Art Museum on the River and Mr. Morris currently owns it. If the arts community needs anything it would be an indoor performing arts center that can accomodate all of the performing arts groups in one location. The Imperial is one type of location, but it needs significant upgrades and better parking. The new center should be a joint venture between the County, School System and the Arts Council.
With all the empty buildings downtown I don't understand the need to build new ones for anything.
I feel the "arts" should be supported by "patrons of the arts". We should certainly not put taxpayer dollars into a museum for the Billy Morris personal collection. Tax dollars, particularly in these austere times, need to be put toward the necessities such as roads, bridges, police, and fire services. The "arts" are nice to have items, primarily for the social (and financial) elite and they are welcome to donate to them and support them. Maybe if we did not have such a mismanaged, dysfunctional, corrupt government and if we had a budget surplus then I might support funding a performing arts center or an art museum. But with property taxes skyrocketing, outrageous garbage collection fees, and way too high school taxes (considering the quality of the product of the educational system), then I would rather see some pot holes fixed. And I don't think we need a new baseball stadium either. Just another project that will end up draining tax dollars like the coliseum, golf gardens, science center, and the $6,000,000 hotel "loan" we ate. Sounds to me like the "money men" of Augusta wanting to use taxpayer dollars to their benefit again. Who owns the surrounding property?
Wow, imagine that; the ACES letting a "pro-Billy Musem" letter get published, but not printing any pro-stadium letters. And don't say you haven't gotten any - I know of one you chose not to publish. Let's see....which will draw at least 100,000 visitors downtown between Marh and September...the Morris Musem of Art or a new baseball stadium? 'Nough said. And what a CROCK for anybody to suggest that the current stadium has adequate parking arrangements. If you call parking along blighted housing and busineses, praying you don't get mugged "adequate," then have at it.
Sorry I dont believe in your views.
Junket, I couldn't agree more IF the fine arts were properly supported in this hick bud drinkin', cuhuntry westen town.
Rock on RonRoberts!! Well Said.
Could the AC be less objective? This is about urban renewal and creating a vibrant downtown. A downtown that has an attraction that can draw 350,000+ between April & September alone. A modern facility which will be a drawing card to events outside of baseball and provide the patrons with an experience not found anywhere in this region. Plus you can't discount the mixed-used development as that drawing card plans to be a mini-entertainment district right on the water where people can dine and enjoy the benefits of the Savannah River and the downtown in one setting. Highest and best use for the land? ABSOLUTELY!! This is a public park space that is proposed for the entire community to benefit in and draw money in from South Carolina as well. Or it can be left to rot as a dust bowl for another generation.
She says: "The Morris Museum of Art holds a very prestigious collection that deserves a building of its own as a centerpiece on the river." Isn't that what the Morris Museum IS? Or is there some "very prestigious collection" under wraps in the museum not on display, that we don't know about?
why not have both? museum + stadium .... and a renovated miller theatre & the new tee center ..... more work around the commons .... it's all happening... little by little.
Not enough money for it all Coco...so they say
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