Downtown Columbia could be getting additional green space after the city council approved the purchase of land at the intersection of Broadway and Providence Road Monday night.
The property is valued at $1.1 million, and was paid for with money earned from interest on the capital improvements project fund, according to the city council memo.
The land was purchased from Roth Properties, LLP, who accepted Columbia’s offer after approval from the city council.
Fourth Ward Council Member Ian Thomas says he wasn’t even aware that interest from the fund could be used for other purchases.
“The city has designated parks funds, including a budget which is earmarked for land acquisition,” said Thomas. “I would have been a lot more comfortable if the proposal to purchase the rough property for Flat Branch Park had been to use those funds.”
While the land could provide additional green space downtown among other things, Thomas says some residents feel the funds could have been better utilized elsewhere.
“There are people who feel that if we have spare money lying around we should be spending it on increased police staffing, which I agree with,” he said.
CVS Pharmacy has tried to purchase land, which is still potentially available for development, next to this plot several times in the past. The city denied the company for the third time last year, citing what they said was “building use and traffic flow.” The newly-purchased plot, next to the land that CVS had tried to purchase, could potentially expand green space downtown since the land is adjacent to Flat Branch Creek.
Councilman Clyde Ruffin told ABC 17 that the land would also help to link the African American History Trail from what he called the “Sharp End” business district to the corner of to the intersection where the land is located, which is often considered the city’s founding spot.
Three potential designs for the space have been presented so far by Parks and Recreation Director Mike Griggs. Thomas says that any of the designs would be an asset to the downtown area.
“They all involve uncovering much of the Flat Branch Creek, which currently is kind of under a building that’s up on stilts,” said Thomas. “They’re all extremely attractive.”
Columbia City Manager Mike Mathes could not be reached for comment on the new land acquisition.