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| | Issue #21.18 :: 04/30/2008 - 05/06/2008 | Just Say “No” to Five Points South
Plus: Thanks for Philharmonic Coverage
| BY FREE TIMES READERS
| Spending $5.8 million of public money for 200 metered parking spaces with no proven need, no credible financial analysis and a weak contract is a poor business decision for the City of Columbia. Furthermore, adding two levels of city parking to a new building at the site of former Kenny’s Auto will change the character of Five Points by creating a massive six-story building out of scale with the village.
Those were some of the messages delivered to Mayor Bob Coble and council members Tameika Isaac Devine and Daniel Rickenmann at a special neighborhood forum held on April 22.
The purpose of this gathering was to allow city residents to express their thoughts about the Five Points South project to the at-large City Council representatives. This meeting was never intended to be the city’s “public hearing” or a debate on the project’s pros and cons, although we would welcome Council’s decision to call such a hearing. Some supportive of the project had previously met with elected officials, and we simply sought an opportunity for those with objections to be able to express their views as well.
Over 200 residents gathered for the meeting from neighborhoods all over Columbia. The speakers included professionals with experience in urban planning, business and law. Concerns about common standards in urban planning, neighborhood design, procurement and contract development were raised. Serious questions also emerged about the impact on Five Points’ businesses just recovering from the cityscape project. Speakers made it clear that they embrace development that is fiscally responsible and consistent with Five Points’ character. This project does not meet either test.
The final vote regarding this project will be on approving the contract between the developers and the city and may be taken at the next City Council meeting on May 7. A number of attorneys and business people believe that the proposed contract is seriously flawed and inadequate. At the forum, an attorney told council members that the contract does not cap the city’s cost and that costs could increase exponentially. The contract does not appear to protect the city from risks of liability, such as contamination, storm tunnel and pipe fragility and developer bankruptcy or construction problems, such as contractor termination, bankruptcy or slow build. To see the contract, go to www.columbiasc.net and scroll down the page to “5 Points Parking Contract.”
This meeting followed an outcry from the community, which resulted in a document of opposition being filed with the city on March 11 with more than 500 signatures of neighborhood and community residents, more than 50 merchants in Five Points, seven surrounding neighborhood associations and the Devine Street Association. To join this list of concerned citizens or to receive a full explanation of concerns, you may email Sylvie Dessau at dessauls@bellsouth.net.
Please join us on May 7 at 9 a.m. in City Hall, 1737 Main St., to ask that the City Council vote “no” to moving forward with the contract for this project as currently proposed.
Andrew Marion
Moderator, Neighborhood Forum
Point of Order on Five Points South
As a member of the City of Columbia Planning Commission, I feel there is an important legal point that is omitted from most discussion about Five Points South. The planning commission and the City Council have approved a six-story building with two stories of parking. If the city backs out of the deal, the developer can still build the project — but with private money. Eliminating the public parking component does not stop the project. The land is now entitled with a PUD. The only question is whether public parking will be provided on that site or not.
As a resident of Shandon, I support the project as is. My preference would be that the terrible parking situation in the area be resolved with a public garage at this location.
Ron Anderson
Columbia
Thanks for Philharmonic Coverage
I went to the Free Times online archives to find David Lowry’s review of Morihiko Nakahara’s concert with the South Carolina Philharmonic. As a member of the search committee that unanimously chose Morihiko as our next music director (April 23, “And the Winner Is …”), I was gratified to see that David got it exactly right. He saw what we saw in Morihiko, and his comments were on the money in every respect. Thanks, David — we need the kind of informed commentary that you offer on the arts in Columbia.
What a great front page in Free Times announcing our selection. The South Carolina Philharmonic has a great opportunity for growth with Morihiko at the helm. Thanks to Free Times — and especially David and Dan Cook — for their help in promoting the arts in Columbia and the Midlands.
Doug Graham
Principal Clarinet
South Carolina Philharmonic | |
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