Staff Writer
EASLEY - Plants parking and pizza - just a few of things going on downtown.
Members of the Tax Increment Financing District Committee met Thursday morning to discuss the ongoing beautification and revitalization work in Old Town Easley.
Last month, members reviewed a $128,800 greenery plan that would have placed European Hornbeam trees in each of the TIF's 56 landscaped islands.
Members approved the trees but balked at the price.
During Thursday's meeting, Patrick Rivers of Land Planning Associates, LLC., presented a modified plan that should bring down the price, he said.
"This should be significantly less than what we looked at previously," Rivers said.
Since the project will be going out for bid, TIF members said they felt uncomfortable discussing the cost of the project publicly.
The plan would add European Hornbeams and Zelcova serrate trees in the downtown area.
"The zelcovas we ... placed along the railroad portions (of the plans)," Rivers said. "In response to some of the concerns of the store owners about blocking the view of their stores and yet still providing greenery, we placed the Hornbeams along the storefronts."
Mayor Larry Bagwell said he was concerned about "shortchanging ourselves," because of price.
Rivers disagreed.
"We had a Cadillac before, we've got a good Honda now," he said, adding that with the new plan, "We've got good coverage... these are all hardy plants that don't need a lot of attention. It gives (downtown) a good flavor."
The committee approved the modified greenery plan, which will be sent to state landscapers for approval, said Building Official Tommy Holcombe.
"What we can do is get it on to Columbia because we don't know how long the process is," he said. "We've never dealt with their landscaping process before. We might be talking about 30 days, we might be talking about three months."
Members also approved the placement of flagpoles along the downtown areas.
"We spent all that money on flags, we'd like to use them," said Easley Downtown Business Association's Sam Norris.
Previous flagpoles placed on lighting poles in the downtown area became a nuisance as delivery trucks would back into them, said Councilman Dave Watson.
"They won't be on the traffic side," Holcombe said.
Bagwell said flags should only be displayed during special occasions.
Easley Combined Utilities General Manager Joel Ledbetter said flag sleeves should be capped when not used, to keep out water and debris.
The committee discussed securing property to add more parking - about 60 spaces - to the Northeast Main Street side of the TIF district.
Crosswalk replacement at the larger intersections is being held off until the last minute, to keep resident inconvenience to a minimum, Holcombe said.
Replacement should not effect Easley's Spring Fling.
"If they're not done, they'll get it cleaned up for the least amount of inconvenience possible," Holcombe said.
Doodle Station developer Jim Wilson proposed another crosswalk to connect both sides of the railroad tracks.
Currently crosswalks there "go nowhere," Wilson said.
Wilson said discussions with Norfolk Southern officials have indicated they would approve a new crosswalk.
"That is a very good possibility if the City of Easley were to request that," he said. "We've got people walking across the tracks now. It's a safety concern."
As Norfolk Southern is currently replacing railroad ties in the area, now would be the optimum time to make such a request, Wilson said.
"I think it's a great idea," Watson said. "We've talked about it for years but never had much luck with the railroad. Trying to cross at that intersection is taking your life into your own hands."
The crosswalk would tie in the parking behind Joe's Ice Cream Parlor and any parking the city builds behind Doodle Station, he said.
"It would open up the whole quadrant here," Wilson said.
City Administrator Fox Simons said he was concerned about a new crosswalk eliminating parking spaces in the area.
"If we lose parking, we're going to hear about it," he said.
Doodle Station has had a very positive impact on the area, committee members agreed.
"The last two weekends have been electric downtown," said Jay Ratterree. "I would encourage all of us to stay the course and continue to build on it. It's all about building the whole community."
The new businesses are impacting existing businesses as well. The opening of Michael's Pizzeria has drawn new visitors downtown, committee members agreed.
"Every night I've been by (Doodle Station), I've never seen more than two spaces empty in that back parking lot," Norris said. "That's how many people are coming in."
Watson agreed.
"It's amazing how, in 11 years, how the hot side of the street has become the north side," he said.
"We're real proud of it," Bagwell said.
Reach Jason Evans at jevans@theeasleyprogress.com or 855-0355.
Post a Comment
