About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2011)
Blue Heron Study Cites Opportunity, Financing Challenge The proposal for a "Blue Heron" riverfront district downtown—currently under the pur view of the EOF after being brought forward by board members Pete Dugas and Stephanie Sharp—offers "a moment of remarkable oppor tunity," says a consultant's study. Although upbeat about the prospects of such a district, the study says financing ($41 million for land purchases, infrastructure, two office buildings, a large ampitheatre, and business develop ment loans) could be "challenging." "The plan envisions a mixed-use district of entertainment, museum space, retail, non- traditional office space, an ampitheatre and riverwalk" and could add 568 permanent jobs, says the study by the Bleakly Advisory Group of Atlanta. "It has the potential to bring high-skill, high-paying jobs into the heart of the city—a vibrant, urban, mixed-use setting." The first phase would be developed on both sides of Oconee Street, between the North Oconee River and downtown. A significant amount of land in that area is already owned by the county; but under ground rock and steep slopes make develop ment more difficult, the study says. The 6,000-seat ampitheatre could host 80 concerts a year but would be expensive to build; a cheaper plan would first build a hotel, "research park" and retail space, and add the ampitheatre later. The district's mix of retail and busi ness "can be both a major generator for the city and significantly expand its tax base." Funding could come from a "seat tax" on events, a tax allocation district, parking fees, hotel taxes, or land resale, the study says. Substantial additional land is available for later development. But "the opportunity to develop the river front as a major employment center is lost if these 16 critical acres are converted to more student housing," the study warns. "A brief window of opportunity exists to achieve this vision." ACC commissioners and EDF board members will meet jointly to review the study on Aug. 9. John Huie Funding Criteria Put Commission, EDF at Impasse A majority of Athens-Clarke County com missioners appear willing to cut funds to the county's Economic Development Foundation if the EDF doesn't add at least one more commis sioner to its board. In addition to the mayor, already a voting member, the EDF earlier this month agreed to add one non-voting commis sioner in an effort to compromise. That hasn't satisfied commissioners, several indicated at last week's agenda meeting. "I don't think I can support further fund ing" without additional representation on the board, Commissioner Alice Kinman said. The EDF's effectiveness in bring ing new jobs to Athens has been widely criticized, but last year the group replaced its director and recently has been redefining duties and goals. "The EDF is already making some headway," Commissioner Kelly Girtz acknowledged last week, but said commission ers are unwilling to continue the status quo. "It should have been done [years ago]," com missioner Jared Bailey told Flagpole. Commissioner Mike Hamby says he expects the commission to lay out specific conditions for funding at its Aug. 2 meeting: adding a voting commissioner to EDF, producing "a detailed business plan" and committing to raise at least $50,000 from the private sector. Two commissioners—Ed Robinson and Doug Lowry—have indicated they won't vote to cut funding. "I'm afraid of crowding out the people who can do the best job," Robinson said last week. "I'm afraid the whole economic develop ment effort is going to get knocked off the track for the next several years because of these political shenanigans," Lowry told Flagpole. Economic development "needs to be a regional thing," he said; and "not once have A ROUwd TOcoM ^ £>A\J«e? WiACK I heard ideas" from those criticizing the EDF. Mayor Nancy Denson has also opposed defund ing the group. But the ball will likely be in the EDF's court after next week's vote. If commissioners insist on a voting seat on EDF's board—a pro posal already rejected by the EDF earlier this month—the foundation will have to decide whether to relent or to forfeit a large part of its budget. If the EDF and commissioners can't agree, "I guess we'd look for a way to have a different structure" for economic development, Hamby says. But "the condi tions aren't that difficult," he says. "I'm trying to be positive." Commissioners will also vote on whether to charge citizens 60 cents a month to pay for the ongoing campaign to increase recycling— and on how to collect that charge. Plans to add the charge to trash collection bills (com mercial haulers would reimburse the county) were criticized by several commissioners; some citizens wouldn't be billed, they said, because they haul their own trash to the landfill. But the new charge shouldn't just apply to citizens POTLUCUS AmDTHgRE5 AL.koue c>u*< BRf4)6$ A Op U.FC- who "are easy to find," Commissioner Kathy Hoard said. Could the charge be added to water bills? Not all citizens get water bills either—some use wells, ACC Manager Alan Reddish pointed out—and only property owners receive storm water bills. To bill everyone for such a small charge could cost the county more than it collects, Reddish said. The fee will cover "mailers, quarterly newslet ters, press releases, stickers, promotional materials, viral marketing, outreach pre sentations and the annual Environmental Resource Guide" to help ACC reach its ambitious recycling goals. So far, it's on track; the aim is to divert 40 percent of trash from the landfill by 2015, and 75 percent by 2020. But less trash dumped also means less landfill revenue collected. Landfill fees once covered the costs of promoting recycling; right now, they aren't even covering the landfill's own budget. "We might be a victim of our own success in that respect," Reddish said. John Huie “It has the potential to bring high-skill, high-paying jobs into the heart of the city.” Commissioners are unwilling to continue the status quo. I COMING TO OVER 300 LOCATIONS AROUND TOWN! flagpole 2011-2012 GUIDE TO ATHENS • Athens' Only Complete Bar, Club & Restaurant Guide • Hotel Listings • Parks Information • Maps • Profiles of Some People Who Make Athens What It Is • And Much More! See Next Week's Flagpole for Details JULY27.2011-FLAGPOLE.COM 5
