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Description
Aiken City Manager John Klimm shares remarks and clarifies plans regarding the proposed Downtown Renaissance project at the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce's First Friday event, November 4, 2016.
A
Good
morning
and
thank
you
for
Charlie
for
that
introduction,
I
was
delighted
to
be
asked
to
present
to
you
today
a
new
and
exciting
initiative
which
we
believe
will
make
a
real
difference
in
the
health,
vitality
and
vibrancy
of
our
community.
We
have
provided
you
with
a
short
haplin
and
have
also
given
you
a
list
of
frequently
asked
questions
about
this
plan
on
the
table
for
your
review.
A
It
is
said
that
a
city's
downtown
essentially
defines
before
the
center
of
activity
and
an
indicator
of
the
community's
vibrancy
vitality
and
health.
As
all
of
you
know,
last
year,
48
of
our
business
and
community
leaders
went
on
the
Chamber's
aspirational
tour,
which
served
as
a
catalyst
for
thought
and
ideas
for
a
better
aving
that
trip
planted
the
seeds,
the
possibility
that
encouraged
our
community
to
talk
about
our
future.
Today,
we
begin
to
see
the
fruits
of
that
effort.
A
We
started
a
naked
by
hiring
our
business
vitality
manager,
introducing
a
new
partnership
with
our
business
community.
We
competed
for
entry
into
the
National
Main
Street
program
and
were
one
of
two
South
Carolina
communities
selected.
We
then
created
our
main
street
advisory
team
who
are
with
us
today
in
part
who
advises
us
on
downtown
matters.
They
know
what
it
takes
to
run
a
small
business
and
what
we
need
to
do
to
succeed
in
revitalizing
our
downtown
area.
A
A
Over
the
past
six
months,
working
through
the
main
streets
program,
a
comprehensive
Aiken
downtown
needs
assessment
was
completed
after
meetings
and
interviews
with
hundreds
of
our
citizens
that
resulted
in
dozens
of
recommendations
to
improve
our
downtown
area.
Through
the
leadership
of
our
city,
council
funds
were
appropriated
to
address
the
most
critical
areas
of
concern
in
the
needs
assessment,
including
a
better
understanding
of
the
downtown
retail
mix,
retail
gaps
and
building
a
stronger,
downtown
and
more
work
on
branding
and
marketing,
both
the
downtown
area
and
our
entire
city.
A
The
council
will
receive
a
formal
presentation
on
November
10,
and
we
hope
that
you
can
join
the
council
there
that
day
to
hear
those
results.
We
are
partnering
with
all
of
you,
our
friends
at
the
chamber
of
commerce,
with
the
Aiken
downtown
development
association
with
the
avian
corporation
with
local
merchants
and
others
in
a
new
partnership
to
improve
our
downtown
area.
A
To
those
of
you
who
say
what
happens
downtown
is
of
no
interest
to
me
because
my
business
is
on
whiskey
or
silver
bluff
or
Richland.
I
say
that
this
that's
like
saying
the
hand
or
the
foot
saying
it
is
I'm
not
interested
in
what
happens
to
the
heart,
not
interested
if
it
loses
strength
and
becomes
weak
or
even
stops.
Our
downtown
is
our
heart.
A
The
concept
is
some
to
partner
with
a
reputable
and
experienced
development
team
chosen
in
an
open,
transparent
and
competitive
process
to
improve
our
downtown
area
like
in
so
many
communities.
Downtown
revitalization
takes
initiative,
courage
and
vision
to
look
at
what
makes
for
a
vibrant,
walkable
livable
Center
that
fosters
community
vibrancy
while
creating
economic
opportunity.
The
city
of
Macon
is
excited
about
the
prospect
of
fostering
a
partnership
with
investors
and
businesses
who
are
sensitive
to
the
character
of
this
place
and
are
willing
to
work
with
us
towards
a
new
chapter
in
our
downtown
area.
A
The
goal
of
the
first
phase
of
the
Renaissance
plan
is
to
recruit
a
quality
development
team
to
work
with
the
city,
to
accomplish
the
following
one
to
purchase
and
to
redevelop
the
city's
property
at
135
Lauren
street,
with
a
focus
on
adding
thousands
of
square
feet
of
new
retail
on
the
first
floor
and
housing
on
the
second
and
third
floors.
So
why
are
we
proposing
to
sell
135
Lauren
street
stated
simply
we
don't
need
three
properties
downtown
this
property
with
a
smaller
building
that
is
not
maximizing.
A
A
lot
is
sorely
underutilized
and
it
is,
quite
frankly,
one
of
the
most
architectural
challenge,
buildings
in
the
area
and
sure
it's
ugly
as
sin
I
remember
the
first
day
I
was
here
and
I
was
walking
around
with
my
assistant
Stewart,
and
we
came
upon
this
building
and
I
said
Stuart.
Please
please
do
it
tell
me
we
didn't
build.
That
thing
is
both
interesting
inside
to
reflect
and
see
what
used
to
be
on
this
life.
A
A
Two
to
rehabilitate
the
present
municipal
building
on
Park
Avenue
into
a
consolidated
City
Hall,
with
a
modest
addition
based
on
the
concept
of
one-stop
shopping
for
our
customers.
The
addition
would
be
on
property
that
we
already
own
to
house
municipal
operations
on
the
second
and
third
floors
and
another
significant
private
sector
retail
operations.
On
the
first
floor
of
the
addition,
we
also
proposed
new
private
sector
retail
in
the
present
space,
where
the
city
conference
center
is
located
to
the
rear
of
the
Municipal
Building
on
the
alley.
A
Once
again,
let's
increase
first
floor
retail,
downtown
and
three
redevelopment
of
one
of
the
premier
blocks
in
the
downtown
area
built
on
the
present
in
the
Senate
and
sharp
properties
on
Richland
and
Newbury
Street
property
that
is
up
for
sale
to
include
retail
on
the
ground
level.
The
possibility
of
a
municipal
garage
in
additional
additional
housing
above
as
space
allows
that
was
most
of
you
probably
know
the
Anderson
family
owns.
The
parcels
were
talking
about,
and
they've
decided
to
sell
the
property.
A
The
property's
location
obviously
makes
it
an
important
foundation
for
downtown
revitalization,
its
location
adjacent
to
the
soon
to
be
restored.
Hotel
Aiken
and
its
proximity
to
Newbury
Street
into
the
alley.
Make
it
a
prime
component
of
our
efforts
to
revitalize
our
downtown.
The
innocent
option
is
not
an
effort
for
the
city
to
develop
the
property
itself.
It
is
an
effort
that
gives
the
city
and
our
citizens
a
real
say
as
to
who
will
develop
the
property.
What
will
be
the
uses
and
how
will
the
new
investment
enhance
our
downtown
for
generations
to
come?
A
It
puts
our
city
in
the
driver's
seat.
It
allows
us
to
help
determine
our
future,
but,
let's
be
clear,
mrs.
Anderson
could
have
simply
listed
her
property
on
the
market
and
we
would
all
be
sitting
on
the
sidelines
to
see
what
the
future
of
this
critical
block
is.
Yes,
mrs.
Anderson
could
have
sold
to
the
highest
bidder
to
put
whatever
they
want
their
with
the
city
and
our
citizens
at
the
mercy
of
whatever
happens.
But
mrs.
Anderson
cares
about
the
city.
A
A
So
we
obtained
an
option
on
the
privacy.
You've
also
obtained
are
working
to
finalize
an
option
on
the
Shia
families.
Pali
Coast
Hotel
parcel
to
be
combined
with
the
ends
and
parcels.
We
also
want
to
thank
the
stars
for
working
with
the
city
as
well,
and
so
what
is
an
option?
An
option
is
a
contract
on
real
estate,
giving
someone
the
exclusive
right
to
purchase
a
property
once
a
buyer.
The
city
in
this
instance
has
an
option
to
buy
a
property.
The
seller
cannot
sell
the
property
to
anyone
else
until
the
option
expires.
A
The
auction
holder
once
again
the
city,
is
under
no
obligation
to
purchase
and
can
transfer
the
option
to
another
entity
or
simply
let
it
last
and
over
the
past
month,
since
our
press
conference
announcing
this
plan,
where
we
announce
the
plan
to
the
entire
community.
At
the
same
time,
despite
comprehensive
coverage
by
our
local
newspaper,
there
has
been
information
distributed
thereafter.
That
simply
is
not
accurate,
even
after
these
estimates
were
corrected.
City
Council
members
and
their
families
have
enjoyed
an
anonymous
smear
campaign,
riddled
with
personal
attacks.
A
It's
time,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
to
set
the
record
straight,
can
be
vividly
clear
about
what
is
being
proposed
here.
To
do
that.
I
offer
the
following.
The
city
of
Aiken
is
not
proposing
to
buy
the
anderson
and
strong
profit.
In
fact,
we
hope
to
sell
both
our
property
at
lawrence
street
and
sell
our
options
or
where
are
our
options
on
the
Aniston
and
Shaw
properties?
The
city
of
incan
is
not
kicking
anyone
out
of
their
present
locations.
A
This
places
these
business
owners
in
no
different
position,
they
would
have
had
been
had
the
property
sold
without
sitting
involving,
in
fact,
if
and
when
we
embarked
on
the
process
of
selecting
a
private
elevator
team.
Our
plan,
as
stated
by
our
City
Council,
has
been
to
give
extra
consideration
to
investors
and
developers
who
will
work
to
accommodate
the
businesses
presently
located
on
the
block.
Unlike
what
you
have
heard,
existing
businesses
will
actually
have
more
protection
with
city
involvement.
A
That's
why
a
meeting
set
up
with
every
single
present
tenant
most
of
the
present
tenants,
have
told
us
that
they
are
appreciative
and
supportive
of
the
city
involvement.
Most
of
the
tenants
have
thanked
us
for
our
involvement.
I'm
not
sure
you've
heard
that
part
of
the
story
yet,
but
you
will
and
there's
one
more
component
of
the
Renaissance
plan
while
we're
at
it.
Let's
restore
the
historical
significance
in
intent
of
our
downtown
parkways
as
places
to
congregate,
connect
in
enjoy.
A
A
So
what
is
our
next
step?
We're
holding
options
on
properties
but
have
not
exercised
or
sold
these
options,
as
I
said
before,
is
not
our
intent
to
buy
any
of
this
property.
Our
initiative
was
created
to
create
an
environment
to
support
a
public-private
partnership.
We
are
developing
a
procurement
process
that
solicits
proposals
in
a
transparent
and
open
process,
and
every
aspect
of
this
plan
will
include
public
involvement
and
discussion.
Our
City
Council
has
yet
to
me
to
determine
whether
they
were
going
to
sell
the
auction
port
to
whom
they
will
sell
the
options.
A
Our
city
council
will
make
these
decisions
from
selling
our
property
on
Lauren
Street
to
selling
options
in
open
meetings
in
hearings,
as
they
always
do,
but
let
them
have
an
opportunity
to
see
the
development
proposals
before
they
decide.
What
is
in
our
best
interest.
I
will
be
advocating
that
we
initiate
a
process
called
the
request
for
qualifications
to
solicit
development
teams,
to
compete
to
acquire
the
city's
options.
A
We
want
the
private
sector
to
use
their
innovation
and
creativity
in
proposing
uses
with
an
architectural
design
for
this
property
and
it's
keeping
with
our
downtown
uses,
which
complement
existing
businesses
in
a
design
which
is
consistent
with
the
character
of
Aegon's
downtown.
We
want
the
private
sector
to
redevelop
these
properties,
including
the
parkin
direction.
A
A
A
Every
one
of
you
here
today
can
make
a
difference.
Every
one
of
you
will
decide
to
either
stay
on
the
sidelines
which
went
to
the
fray
time
has
come
to
decide
whether
the
future
of
vacants
downtown
is
worthy
of
this
fight.
The
time
has
come
to
decide
where
we
are
headed
and
what
our
future
shall
be
with
the
energy
and
the
possibility
and
the
experience
and
the
talent
and
the
wiz
them
in
this
room
today.
Maybe
just
maybe
mayor
Osbon
was
right.
Maybe
this
is
a
new
day.