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History

A brief history of The Classic Center, northeast Georgia’s premier convention center and performing arts theatre:

• 1912 - The Fire Hall No. 1 was built to serve as the main fire station of five stations for the city of Athens. It was also built to serve as a central meeting place for social gatherings.
• 1987 - Civic Center Study committee was created to look at what type of facility would best serve Athens, Georgia’s needs for a public assembly facility. The Civic Center Study committee spent countless hours traveling to convention centers all over the country and meeting with local performing arts organizations, community groups, hoteliers, local businesses, meeting planners and consultants to decide what kind of public assembly facility would be a perfect fit for Athens. The study committee recommended a facility that would include the components we presently have in The Classic Center, plus plans for future expansion. Another important component of the original convention center plan was that an authority be created to oversee and run the operation of the special events venue. The recommendation of the study committee was included in a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum in November  of 1987. The referendum passed by a 2/3 margin, illustrating the tremendous local support for the convention center.
• 1988 - The Georgia General Assembly passed a local bill creating the Classic Center Authority. Upon appointment of the Classic Center Authority, together with the Athens-Clarke County government, the Authority hired James Polsheck, a world-renowned architect. The first design for the convention center called for the demolition of Fire Hall No. 1, which community members felt should become a centerpiece for the new convention center in downtown Athens, linking the old with the new. The Polsheck design also downsized the Theatre, making breakout meeting rooms and exhibition space.
• 1990-1993 - After much controversy, the Classic Center Authority hired Rabin Hogan Hatch and Oshee to revise the drawings to include a larger Theatre, more expansive exhibit space and save the historic treasure of Fire Hall No. 1.
• 1994 - Construction on the facility began with Winter Construction Company acting as the design-build contractor.
• 1995 - The Authority hired Paul Cramer to serve as Executive Director.
• 1995 - The Authority opened the first phase of the convention center, which included the Athena Ballroom and Exhibit Hall.
• 1996 - The Classic Center Performing Arts Theatre was opened with the Broadway musical "Cats" playing to a packed house.

The Classic Center shines on today as a sign of what a motivated community effort can accomplish when working together. The Classic Center is a special events and convention center that truly belongs to the people of Athens and north Georgia!