Council members react to plan for downtown park extension
People in Columbia had their first chance to speak about a million-dollar plan for the city to buy a piece of downtown, and historic, property.
The Columbia City Council introduced the bill to approve negotiations between the city and Roth Properties to buy the old McAdams Realty Ltd. building at the corner of Providence Road and Broadway. An appraisal from Moore & Shyrock in September put the value of the spot at $1.1 million.
The corner received considerable attention when CVS Pharmacy tried building a store there, using both the old McAdams building and the “ice house” to the east of it, once the office of Modern Property Groups. The city council rejected the plan 4-3 in 2015, citing a number of building design issues for the heavily traveled area. It was the third time the company was turned down by the city council, and abandoned its plan for that corner later that year.
The city already owns a piece of that particular corner. Currently, the Downtown Community Improvement District is working on a “gateway” project using the small piece in front of the old McAdams building, and city staff believe purchasing the land would enhance its use as a “legible” entrance to the historic downtown area. An urban planning report done in 2010 suggested using the spot to extend nearby Flat Branch Park to the corner, if property ever became available.
Second Ward Councilman Michael Trapp voted for the CVS project in 2015, but supported the current idea to extend Flat Branch Park. He admitted having “sticker shock” to the appraisal, but thought it would be a “great addition.
“It’s a lot of money, and we have other pressing needs,” Trapp told ABC 17 News. “So I still hope that there’s something [that] can be done to make it a better deal for the city.”
The city would use money earned in interest through its capital improvement project funds, community relations director Steve Sapp said. Money left over from a capital improvement project is also added to this fund, Sapp said. When looking for ways to pay for the acquisition, Trapp said that fund made sense, considering the purchase would be a “one-time” use, instead of a recurring budget item that they could use on something like personnel.
The area faces significant issues when it comes to redevelopment by a business, Trapp said. The current building hangs over Flat Branch Creek, and the old CVS plan would have required them to fill more than 100 feet of it with concrete for parking. The extension would environmentally help the downtown area with better stormwater management, and “daylighting” of the creek, Trapp said.
Proponents have also touted the historical significance of the spot. Columbia was founded at that corner, Sapp said, when the area was used as the market square along the MKT railroad. Historic Preservation Commissioner Pat Fowler said it would help protect Flat Branch Creek
“What your’e doing with this purchase is you’re giving us an opportunity to reconnect with our history, and to offer other citizens the opportunity to see that, as well,” Fowler said.
The council will vote on the plan at its October 17 meeting.
