There has been much talk and controversy over the Kenny project in 5 Points. Let me present 3 proposals, one of which should be reasonable to all parties concerned. You may want to refer to the Future Five-Five Points 2006 Master Plan for better understanding: http://www.columbiadevelopmentservices.net/planning_pz.asp.

One

The developers have said that they will develop something on the Kenny site regardless of whether the parking facility is funded by the city or not. If this is true, then let the developers build upon the land within the guidelines required of all other properties in the 5 Points design guideline area (the Kenny lot was somehow allowed out of the guideline area: http://www.columbiascgateway.com/content/pdf_PZ/Map_1_Five_Points_Rezoning.pdf, notice the island looking area at the bottom between Saluda and Santee on Blossom, the Kenny property), let the city follow the parking recommendations in the master plan for perimeter parking that will serve the full length and width of 5 Points, all its businesses and their customers that wish to visit. The satellite/perimeter parking concept is one that benefits all of 5 Points, not just a short stretch of Saluda Ave. merchants. If 5 Points expects to grow, its most logical and available area is north of Greene St. Businesses created here will feel a worse need for parking than Saluda Ave. due to much less parking available. As the Blossom St. area residents now do, the neighbors in the upper 5 Points area will suffer the same problems of 5 Points workers parking in their neighborhoods, clogging the area, and leading to many complaints. The food Lion lot is not now an option as the owners of the property have notified the 5 Points Association that they will tow cars not authorized to park in the lot, meaning non-customers.

This proposal will allow new development at Kenny’s, create whatever new business the developers intend, allow parking for all businesses and workers area wide, not just for a few Saluda Ave. merchants, and save the taxpayers at least $12 million after debt service.

Two

Follow the guideline plan that suggested parking more centrally located behind Claussen’s Inn and in the area at the Shell station on the corner of Harden and College. This plan was to build a garage behind, and possibly on, the station as a more centrally located facility, again better able to serve all the area, not just a few Saluda Ave. merchants. The idea was to help the upper end of 5 Points develop better and more quickly, alleviating the lack of parking that is hindering upper 5 Points growth, while putting parking adjacent to the fully developed lower 5 Points area. As this facility would be a half block from the fountain and Saluda Ave., it is close enough for anyone to walk to Saluda Ave., yet have the opportunity to see and stroll the rest of 5 Points. The master plan does refer to providing parking in areas that create the opportunity for shoppers to see and easily visit all areas of 5 Points by walking.

This plan makes the most sense for 5 Points as it centrally places the parking, spurring retail development north of Greene St., sharing parking and growth opportunities for merchants and property owners in the northern area with those in the southern area, providing a much more stable & less expensive foundation for building upon as it does not have the unsuitable subsoil problems in the lower 5 Points area, saving the taxpayers at least $4 million in building costs, moving a potential traffic congestion causing facility to a better-to-manage traffic area, still allowing the Kenny developers to proceed with their 4 story building, all the while creating a healthier & more stable business environment for all of 5 Points. Building in this area would not have detrimental effects upon local business and traffic patterns as the Blossom St. facility.

Three

This plan is most likely to get the greatest approval from all parties, except the Kenny developers. The owners of Yesterday’s restaurant have offered to give their lot to the city for a parking facility in return for ground level perimeter retail that they would retain to rights to. Yes, GIVE, not sell, but give, including air rights so that it may be 2 or 3 levels of parking. The city would pay nothing for the land, own it and the air above outright, and only have construction costs for a garage. The garage would be within the human scale guidelines stated in the master plan, many new retail store fronts would be created, new businesses started, new jobs created, the city tax base would be increased, and the economic well being of 5 Points improved.

However, the Kenny’s property developers could opt to participate as well. They could grant air rights to the city over the open part of their property adjacent to Yesterday’s lot, allowing the city to build more parking which would benefit the retail and residential tenants that the Kenny project will have. Agreements for monthly and long term parking could be had between Kenny and city, giving the Kenny tenants more parking they may need while providing a stable, long term revenue stream for the city.

About two months ago I asked Duncan McRae of Yesterday’s if he would still provide the same offer to the city as he has over the years. His response was yes. It would make great economic and parking sense for the city to research this option before entering any contract for other projects. The city and 5 Points will over double new retail space by the development of both Kenny’s and Yesterday’s, creating greater customer draw to the area and long term stability and viability. And the city taxpayers save at least $4 million, plus receive more revenue streams to help out with the current budget shortfalls that have city council threatening to increase property taxes and other taxes, fines and fees for 2007-2008 and past.

…………….

One good source of building costs for a parking garage is http://www.rsmeans.com. By clicking this link, you can see what a 46,ooo sq. ft. parking garage is estimated to cost in the 29205 area. You can plug in other numbers in the Quick Cost Estimator to get different valuations for different size facilities, as well as finding the national average. Our costs are estimated below the national average.

If you find any of these proposals to be reasonable and proper, I suggest you call and email all of city council to ask that they stop and reconsider before plunging us into a debt that may balloon should revenue from the Kenny garage not meet expectations. According to councilman Finlay, no pro forma documents have been issued, so no true estimates have been forthcoming by the city, meaning the city does not know what revenue to expect either.

You can go to http://www.columbiasc.net/index.php?pageid=37 to find contact information for city council. Please act quickly as the final vote is to be this Wednesday, May 21, at city council chambers. Send this to others and ask for their support in contacting council. Also sign the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Kennys/ and forward the link to friends. There are useful informational links in and next to the petition at this site about the Kenny project. Believe it or not, an email to council members and signing the petition do make a difference.

Thank you,

Joseph Azar

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