As a routine part of its regular meetings, the Columbus City Council is updated on pending openings on the city’s various boards as they arise. Although every city-appointed board serves a role in our city, some positions stand to have a larger impact than others.
We would be hard-pressed to identify a more important board position than the one that came before the council during Tuesday’s meeting. Mark Alexander Sr.’s five-year term on the five-member Columbus Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors expires on Sept. 5. It is unclear whether Alexander plans to seek another term, but as of Tuesday, only one person — former Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce president Joey Bragg — had applied.
Given the circumstances surrounding the CRA, we hope the council will have a large pool of qualified applicants from which to choose. This isn’t a spot on the Tree Board (no offense), but considering the financial commitment the city has made to the CRA, it is imperative that every CRA board position is filled with members who understand the often-complex areas of development, marketing, government, grants and finance.
The CRA was founded in 2015 and in 2017 was set up with $3.2 million in bond money — borrowed by the city — to buy and redevelop about 15 acres in and around Burns Bottom, specifically a five-block area between Third and Fourth Street North and Second and Seventh avenues.
Now, seven years after the CRA was formed and five years after the CRA received those bond dollars, the board has secured most but not all of the real estate in the target area. Further, the CRA has yet to secure its first developer and the money needed to complete the project. Now an estimated $6.4 million of additional funds are being requested to complete prepping the property for a developer. Of particular concern is where the funds needed for water, sewer and drainage — estimated at $1 million — will come from. In July, the CRA board said it might ask developers to provide some of those funds.
Ideally, a potential developer would have a shovel-ready site, so asking a developer to share those costs might not necessarily be a disincentive, but it does probably make the site less attractive.
We believe the Burns Bottom project stands to be potentially the most transformative project for the city in a long time. The type of mixed use development that has been proposed for the site would tie the Riverwalk, Lowndes County Soccer Complex and downtown together and would also provide much needed housing options for the city.
Progress has been slower than hoped for, certainly, so we hope filling this important position will create some new momentum. The CRA board is made up of well-respected and capable members who have a nice blend of backgrounds and skills. Certainly, Alexander met that criteria. His continuing presence on the board, should he decide to apply, would be beneficial.
If not, we encourage those who have the needed skill sets and backgrounds will consider applying in the month that remains before the council makes an appointment.
Our city is blessed with many people who are well-qualified to serve. We appeal to those citizens to take on this important role, one that is vital to the city’s future.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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