Here is an update from Caroline Watson who very competently led the drive to defeat the 6 story project. Though I am scheduled to be out of town, I may just be able to delay the trip for this meeting, if necessary. I do urge everyone interested in 5 Points to attend. What happens here also sets precedent for the rest of the city, just as the past fight has.
Joseph Azar
________________________________________
From: Caroline Watson [mailto:wats6861@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 11:40 PM
To: cwatson@industrytransitions.com
Subject: Update: Five Points Parking Issues
Neighbors and Friends –
This email is to update you on the issues remaining after the cancellation of the project on the former Kenny’s site in Five Points.
Critical next steps to ensure Five Points success:
As noted in the last update, we believe that the steps defined as critical to Five Points success are the following:
• parking needs in Five Points must be evaluated to determine exactly what the parking demands are and if new surface parking or a parking structure is justified;
• if additional parking demands are justified, any commitment by the City for parking should be made only after a fair and open process; and,
• a project on the former Kenny’s site must be completed successfully in a way that adds to the village feel.
Does Five Points need additional parking?
After the plan for the 6-story project on the former Kenny’s site, which included a parking garage, was cancelled, the question remained as to whether the village needed a parking garage or other parking relief. (As has been previously noted, we are unaware of any data supporting the need for a parking garage despite a 2007 filing of a Freedom of Information Request.)
Belinda Gergel, the new District 3 representative on Columbia City Council, has been working to resolve the long-standing Five Points parking issue. In the City Council meeting on July 9, 2008, Belinda raised the idea of retaining an outside parking consultant to provide independent expertise on quantifying parking demands and options but the idea was not embraced by the rest of Council. However, Council did pass her motion to form a citizens advisory committee to make recommendations regarding Five Points parking.
Five Points Citizen’s Advisory Committee
The members of the Five Points Citizen’s Advisory Committee and its Mission Statement are set out below. As a committee member, I will make every effort to keep those of you that have indicated interest informed as the Committee’s work progresses.
The first meeting was held last Wednesday, August 27, 2008, and, after much discussion, the Committee determined that it did not have the data or the expertise to fulfill its mission without an independent consultant. Therefore, the Committee voted to ask Belinda to present a recommendation to Council for its approval of an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for such a consultant. An RFQ does not commit any public money at this time; rather, it asks that interested qualified consultants present credentials, rates, and other designated information to Council. (See http://www.wach.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=181912)
Since over 950 citizens were concerned about the procurement process used by the City in its dealings related to the parking garage at the former Kenny’s site, I am happy to report that much emphasis has been placed on the work of the Advisory Committee being “fair and open.” As a large group of public citizens, we have also been concerned about the City’s fiscal responsibility. That issue is also being addressed; “costs and other financial considerations” is a basic tenet of the Committee’s Mission Statement (see below).
The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 3 at 5:15 in the Capital Senior Center. Although the discussion is limited to Committee members, anyone who attends will have an opportunity to speak at the end of each meeting.
Plans for the Kenny’s site
On August 6, 2008, the State newspaper reported that the developers of the Kenny’s Auto Supply site in Five Points said they are going to build a free-standing bank, drugstore, small shop and surface parking lot instead of a six-story, mixed-use development. The developers have applied for the new 5 Points zoning that limits the height to four stories and provides for DDRC review on design. According to posted notices, a hearing is scheduled to review their request to allow an exemption for a drive-through on September 9 and to allow the change in zoning on September 17.
Although the developers have announced that the $5.3 million of publicly funded parking (a total of 200 metered parking spaces) is no longer part of their plan, they have also said they are still open to discussing some form of public parking. (see http://www.thestate.com/local/story/481437.html)
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Feel free to forward suggestions or feedback to me or get involved by attending any of the meetings. I will continue to send periodic updates.
Caroline Watson
516 Congaree Avenue
Five Points Citizens Parking Advisory Committee--- Approved By City Council on August 6, 2008
Committee Chair - Susan Lake, Attorney, Past President of the Shandon Neighborhood Council ; Home telephone-771-6926; Email: slake@sc.rr.com
Mary Bryan, Attorney; Director of Conflict Resolution Program at Columbia College
Durham Carter, Retired Administrator; Martin Luther King Neighborhood President
Ree’Jeena Fletcher, Garibaldi’s server and employee in 5 Points; Office Manager
Dennis Hiltner, Owner of Gourmet Shop
Mark Manos, Attorney, University Hills Neighborhood President
James D. “Don” McCallister, Owner, Loose Lucy’s
Jack Van Loan, Executive Director St. Pat’s Day
Patrick Mason, Publisher of Carolina Living
J.P. Scurry, Leasing Agent, Colliers Keenan
Suzi Sheffield, Owner, El Burrito
Ted Speth, Attorney; President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Howard Stravitz, Professor, University of South Carolina Law School
Bessie Watson, Administrator, SC Budget and Control Board; President-elect, Columbia Council of Neighborhoods
Caroline Watson, Attorney and Business Consultant
Mission Statement for the Five Points Parking Citizens Advisory Committee
The Five Points Parking Citizens Advisory Committee has as its principle mission to work collaboratively and with an open mind to address the parking needs of Five Points with the goal of reaching by consensus a ranked set of options for consideration by City Council. The Committee is tasked to do the following:
1. Evaluate the present and future needs of parking in Five Points;
2. Identify the best strategy/ strategies for addressing the parking needs of Five Points;
3. To the extent that additional parking is determined to be needed in Five Points, identify all potential locations for additional parking and evaluate and contrast each location on the basis of appropriate criteria, including suitability of location, maintenance and enhancement on the historic village atmosphere of Five Points and the surrounding neighborhoods, and cost and other financial considerations;
4. Rank the various parking options and provide an analysis articulating the basis for each ranking, including in that analysis the balancing of the issues of suitability of location, maintenance and enhancement of the historic village atmosphere of Five Points and the surrounding neighborhoods, and cost and other financial considerations.
Caroline N. Watson
Industry Transitions Consulting
516 Congaree Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
USA
803.252.6507 (tel)
775.535.3645 (fax)
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