Business & Tech
Bull Street Agreement Receives Final Approval
Council voted 4-2 to approve an agreement with Hughes Development Corp. to construct a new neighborhood on the state mental health property.
Columbia City Council is moving forward with a development agreement on the proposed Bull Street neighborhood despite repeated pleas from the public and attempts by some council members to delay the final vote.
Council voted 4-2 to approve an agreement with Hughes Development Corp. to construct a new neighborhood on the state mental health property. The project, which would be constructed in four phases over the next 20 years, includes housing, retail, parking garages and possibly a baseball stadium.
The city is initially investing $31.25 million in public funds for infrastructure including water and sewer, roads and stormwater. The construction of two parking garages could add another $40 million.
Voting in favor of the agreement were Mayor Steve Benjamin, Sam Davis, Brian DeQuincey Newman and Cameron Runyan.
Voting no were Leona Plaugh and Moe Baddourah. Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine was not present for the vote due to a prior engagement she said was scheduled before Tuesday's hearing was added to council's calendar.
Plaugh, who fought for those urging council to defer their vote, said Tuesday was a "sad day in the city of Columbia."
"We talk about a legacy," Plaugh said. "We’re about to hand over our legacy to a private developer with very little oversight."
"We really don’t know what his plans are nor does the public. We really don’t know where the money is going to come from."
Benjamin responded saying, "I’m excited about this day."
"At some point we've got to move forward. We can do it. At some point it’s time for the discussion and debate to end. It’s time to act."
The vote came after more than five hours of public input and discussion. Earlier in the hearing, held at the Earlewood Community Center, Devine made one last attempt to get council to delay action on the agreement until July 23.
Devine said she still wanted to hear from the public and thought council needed to take some more time on the agreement before voting.
Benjamin said it was clear to him that the city would miss a significant opportunity if they didn't move forward.
"This deal will die today if we don't move forward," Benjamin said.
Devine's motion failed with a vote of 4-3.
Amendment changes
A few changes have been made to the agreement between the city and Greenville developer Bob Hughes since council met on July 1.
Some amendments include:
- Hughes agrees to pay one-half of the costs of the archaeological dig at Camp Asylum up to $25,000.
- The new baseball stadium will not be constructed unless noise and lighting studies are completed.
- Richland School District 1 is given the the first opportunity to operate a primary school, public or private, on the site.
The amended agreement did not increase the number of historic buildings that will be preserved. The only historic sites that would be protected are: The Babcock Building (including North and South wings), the male and female dining halls, the Williams Building, the Chapel of Hope and the Tree Allee.
The Historic Columbia Foundation had submitted several suggestions for council to consider before the final vote but none were included in the amendments, said Robin Waites, executive director of the Historic Columbia Foundation.
"By not amending this agreement, you (council) are signing the demolition permit for historic buildings on the Bull Street campus," Waites said. "Not only do you give a green light for this wrecking ball, we’re going to pay for it."
Sixty people signed up to speak at Tuesday's hearing. While most of the meeting was calm, there was a moment where Benjamin was engage in a testy exchange with Joe Azar, a 2010 mayoral candidate.
Azar questioned council about purchasing the property and whether anyone was receiving any kickbacks from the deal.
Benjamin responded saying, “I know it’s so important to you to try to get people riled up and try to insult people and try to bring out the worst in people but you came to the wrong place today.”
Davis said Azar was "way out of line" for implying anyone received anything from the deal.
Financing Bull Street
It wasn't until several hours had passed and many of the citizens who filled a room at the center had left that a discussion was held on funding the redevelopment.
Jeff Palen, the city's chief financial officer, fielded questions from Plaugh on how the city would pay for the project.
Palen said council could look at a number of sources for funding including stormwater proceeds ($3 million*), water and sewer ($6 million*) , a hospitality bond ($28 million*) and a tax increment financing or TIF bond ($30.2 million*).
No decision has been made on a funding source.
*Preliminary figures
Bull Street Commission
Council unanimously approve establishing an advisory commission made up of seven members appointed by council after hearing concerns from the public about being left out of the development process.
One member of council would chair the commission while six others would represent several groups: the historic preservationists, the business community (including small and minority as well as female-owned businesses) and the neighborhoods surrounding the property.
The creation on the commission was suggested by Columbia attorney Toby Ward and is not part of the agreement.
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