News 12 at 6 o'clock, May 6, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---You've heard MCG wants to expand, and needs the Gilbert Manor property to do it. It's official the city will spend 10 millions to make it happen.A 9 to 1 vote sealed the deal. Commissioner Corey Johnson was not sold on the plan. The money will come from the city's reserve account then be funneled into 4 local banks...$2.5 million each.

The city will basically borrow from itself, and hen fork over just about seven million dollars to the housing authority. The rest goes for demolition. It all paves the way for a $200 million MCG expansion project that will include a new dental and medical school. Some call that 10 million dollars a drop in the bucket.

"It's hard to say $10 million is a drop in the bucket. It's a lot of money, but it's a great investment not only in our future, but in the future of the state of Georgia as we provide new doctors," said city administrator Fred Russell.

"We needed this support today. We will continue to need the support as we go forward. It is essential that we work collaboratively and in partnership to achieve the most that we can achieve as an institution," said Dr. Dan Rahn who is president of the Medical College of Georgia.

And talk about working together. The Augusta commission and Club Platinum reached an agreement that will allow the popular nightspot to get back on the good foot. The club was placed on 90 day probation following a string of violence. The 90 day probation will stand. The commission will do away with restrictions requiring the club close it's doors early.

But they club will be dancing to a different tune. Club owners plan to the change their name, and allow an 18 and older crowd only. "We can finally live again, you know, just have a positive place for kids to come and just have a good time, and that was our intention from the beginning," said Rakeim McMorris who owns the club.

It was a proud day for commissioner and father Don Grantham. His son who is a pilot serving over in Iraq sent back a special gift to the city...an Augusta flag that he flew on his F-16.

As far as that $10 million dollar check...the city has a plan to make it up with sales tax money.