Residents split on Broadway TIF proposal

Columbia residents had a chance to voice their opinions on the Broadway TIF proposal Wednesday night.

Some residents that spoke during the public hearing at the Wednesday TIF meeting told the commission they support the TIF and believe it has great economic benefits.

“This is a great opportunity for downtown Columbia; I think it will provide additional jobs,” one resident said.

“If you take a look about four years ago to today, downtown Columbia is like night and day. It’s amazing what this hotel has done for the community,” another resident said.

Some residents expressed their opposition to the commission regarding the TIF.

“I’m simply asking you to take a long, hard look at what you are doing with the money that comes from the taxpayers or is forfeited under a TIF plan,” Joe Haslag said.

Another resident even got into the hotel owner’s legal troubles, including a lawsuit filed on behalf of a construction company over the first tower.

“This is something that you as a commission should consider when you think about spending our money. Are you going to spend the $2 million on attorney fees?” one resident said.

David Parmley, the hotel owner, was able to speak after those comments were made.

“It puzzles me the way he characterized me and my project. It’s unfair,” Parmley said.

ABC 17 News talked to Parmley after the meeting. “I was surprised by his comments,” Parmley said. “It got personal for me, I take a lot of pride in my project I spent years to develop.”

Parmley couldn’t go into detail regarding the lawsuit but said it was over work the contractors he said didn’t finish.