For years, the city-owned parking lot located at the northeast corner of Sixth Street South and College Street next to the First Methodist church in Columbus has mostly been used by the church.
Aside from special events such as the Market Street Festival and Christmas Parade, the lot is used almost exclusively by church-goers. In practice, if not in deed, it is considered the church’s parking lot and the church has maintained it as if it was its own.
Although the 9,000 square-foot lot is listed as in poor condition, it’s difficult to understand that rating. The church has historically taken it upon itself to keep the lot cleaned, striped and surfaced.
The church is now asking the city to donate the lot to the church, but there is some sentiment that the city should sell it to the church instead since donating city property to private owners may set a bad precedent.
So there appears to be three options: Donate the lot to the church, sell the lot to the church or keep the current arrangement.
Of the three, we believe that leaving well enough alone is probably the best option.
Parting with any parking lot, particularly in the city center, seems short-sighted.
Columbus is unique among many downtowns in that we have a wealth of parking options.
Looking 10, 20, 30 years down the road, successful redevelopments at Burns Bottom, Franklin Academy and the old Gilmer Inn lot could change the dynamic and demands of downtown parking.
As is, the church has access to the lot, something that doesn’t require ownership. Most people probably already assume the lot belongs to the church anyway.
The church has said that if it gains ownership of the lot, it would make the lot available to the public when the church wasn’t hosting functions.
But church leadership changes and with it church policy.
Keeping the arrangement as it is prevents that possibility and keep the property as a public resource in the event it’s needed in the future.
The church should not be burdened with parking lot maintenance though. The council should definitely make a good faith gesture by passing a resolution to properly maintain the lot.
The city should want to have good relations with business, churches and residents, but its first priority is doing what is in the best interests of the citizens.
The city will consider its options during Tuesday’s council meeting.
We wonder if the idea was one simply made in passing.
If so, it’s an idea that should just keep on passing.
Leaving well enough alone is the best choice.
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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