It's still a field of rubble and
weeds, but in two weeks, Charles Collins is determined to transform this lot
into the Turn On Your Radio Music Park, a 24-acre venue that will hold 25,000
people.
"It only takes one week to
get this venue ready to go," Collins said.
Collins is now managing the
project after his partner Lawson Graham backed out of the deal. And this isn't
the first time, Collins has been left hanging. In 2009, Collins was set to
build an all-girl raceway in North Carolina, but says his sponsors withdrew
from the project.
"The sponsors stopped
payment on the checks, so it caused my checks when they were already made out
and ready to go out and stuff, it became insufficient," Collins said.
Collins was charged with three
counts of obtaining property by false pretense. This happened while he had
warrants for his arrest in Florida, where he was later charged with contracting
without a license. There, he tried to build another all-girl speedway in the
area. These incidents leaving many to wonder if the plans will ever come to
fruition. But Collins said that was his past, and he is prepared to do this
project right.
Collins said his only issue now is
getting sponsors and local businesses excited about the venue. But neighbors in
the area don't think the project will be complete in time for Masters
Week.
"I don't think it could be
completely ready," said Kim Brannon, who lives in walking
distance to the field. She's looking forward to something that could help her
community grow.
"I think it's a great idea," Brannon said. "It'll bring business to the area, and it's good, clean entertainment."
Now all Collins wants is for
residents and businesses in South Augusta to get behind him and support
this music park.
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