It’s going to be interesting having Steve Benjamin as mayor. His mind is just going a mile a minute spotting opportunities, making connections, such as this one reported by Mike Fitts:
Columbia already has the right major tenant to go into the former SCANA Corp. space on Main Street, according to mayor-elect Steve Benjamin: He wants the building to be the new home of the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Benjamin hopes the school could work out a long-term lease with the Palmetto Center, the building that now has about 450,000 vacant square feet in the heart of downtown. A long-term tenant such as the law school should be appealing to the owners, Benjamin said, and would keep the building in private hands and on the tax rolls….
If the school were there, it would be surrounded by the offices of many of the state’s biggest law firms and several courts, including the S.C. Supreme Court, Benjamin said.“It’s a perfect place for law students,” he said.
Benjamin said he has met with the building’s owner and real estate agent to pitch the plan. The building could be bought by a new owner and renovated for substantially less than it would cost USC to build a new school, he said.
Moving it there “would mean giving Main Street a big old shot of adrenalin,” Benjamin said. He compares the potential impact on downtown to what the Savannah College of Art and Design has brought to that city….
Already, this idea is creating a lot of buzz. Mandi Engram posted something about it on Facebook and has kicked off a lively discussion there.
What do y’all think?
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Completely off topic but I’m a new Grandpa!!!!! Baby Zane was born at 10:37 am in Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC. He weighs 7lbs 7oz.
CONGRATULATIONS, BUD!
Isn’t it great? And doesn’t it make all the other stuff seem a LOT less interesting?
Brad,
I told you that I’d post a comment eventually, and I thought this was a great opportunity to post my first. If student parking can be taken care inexpensively and if there is indeed enough space to satisfy the classrooms, faculty/administrative/law journal offices, and library, Mayor-elect Benjamin’s idea is ingenious.
I finally graduated from the law school about two weeks ago, and when I was there, creative ideas were rarely thrown around to improve the law school’s facilities and its relationship with the community–both local and state. Over the last few years, I’ve watched the Charleston School of Law outwork USC, as many in Columbia–perhaps constrained by budget cuts–sat idly. To hear ideas from alumni like Mr. Benjamain, who was at one time president of the law school’s student body, is quite refreshing and no doubt needed at a time like this.
Bringing in 600-700 students will increase residential life in the area and enable Main St. restaurants in the area to stay open past 5 p.m. In addition to attending law school, I’ve lived on Main St. the past three years and witnessed the frustration of business owners who have to close shop at awkward hours. One need only look to Charleston School of Law’s placement on Upper King Street to see the major contribution that it has had to the resurgence of that business district.
In short, I commend Mr. Benjamin for understanding this major problem and identifying a solution that kills two birds with one stone. I only hope that USC, in this time of transition, understands its place in the community and for once not passing up an incredible opportunity.
Regards,
William
Yea, bud! Congratulations!
and it is a brilliant idea to move the law school there–lawyers can also use the law library (which they still sometimes have to do despite the glories of electronic research) without tangling with USC parking problems.
Welcome, William.
Folks, William is the law student who recruited me to moderate the mayoral debate at the Law School — the one that generated controversy because William and the other organizers had the guts to try to limit it to viable candidates.
It is brilliant. It could really kick-start the process to get Main Street to be a happening scene.
Benjamin’s idea sounds like a win-win for all concerned. That’s probably why it won’t happen.
A similar bold proposal was made a few years back to move the USC Athletic Administration building from the ancient Roundhouse to a refurbished Coliseum. Seemed like the perfect proposal. I haven’t seen another word about it.
Then there was the new planitarium. The old one on Senate Street was a great place to take kids for field trips. I have many special memories of that facility. When it closed the plan was to build a modern and enlarged planitarium/observatory at the State Museum. That was 20 years ago and we’re all still waiting.
I could go on and on about all the great ideas that never came to pass in Columbia. Folks are just very complacent about this city. Why is that?
Not Steve Benjamin. No complacency there. He’s just buzzing with ideas.
Kind of makes me want to paraphrase the Sundance Kid: “You just keep thinking, Butch. That’s what you’re good at.”
How do all of you that support this idea feel about the loss of tax revenue implications? Loss of potential (new) jobs as well?
The way I read what Mike wrote, the idea is that it would still be owned privately, and therefore subject to taxes. The Law School would be a tenant.
Is that the way others read it?
I think I’ll give Mike a buzz and check that…
Property tax, you are correct. Of course the landlord would still owe property taxes regardless of who the tenant is.
What about loss of Personal Property tax revenue, state corporate income taxes, city business license taxes, etc?
… Yeah, I just talked to Mike, and that’s the way Steve’s thinking of it. It would remain in private hands.
Others may think in terms of the law school buying it, but that’s not Steve’s concept.
I don’t think USC is going to opt for renting over buying. That’s a pretty simple decision economically. Is it better to rent a house or buy a house, if you intend to be in that house for a long time?
The Law School in Charleston leases space in the BellSouth Building (now AT&T) at 385 Meeting Street – so there is “real estate” precedent.
Am I getting censored for some reason?
No, you just have to give it a few minutes. I moderate comments. I don’t like it, but I found it was the only way to keep things civil…
I’d imagine the Charleston Law School rents because they didn’t have the capital (or want to issue the debt) to purchase downtown Chas real estate. They were a starter school……USC and it’s foundation has plenty of properties if they want to move, and the capital structure to tear down and rebuild if that’s the plan.
If that’s their plan, they have existing buildings they could utilize (Innovista and others).
Can anyone make an argument why this would be a good idea for USC, and for the City, County and State?
The only theory that appears to be valid is this would be great for the current businesses on Main Street and the surrounding areas. After that, it’s just an idea that sounds great, but 1) Won’t happen because USC would never rent for their Law School and 2) this “keep it on the tax rolls” theory confuses me. How would it not be on the tax rolls? This idea actually reduces tax income for the City, County and State, assuming a private business moves into the vacated SCANA building.
It’ll never happen, USC will never allow this school to go “off campus”, especially if it requires leasing space. It’s going to be years before this school moves anywhere. The school has fallen into rankings of Bob’s Law and Autobody Night School. Endowments have dropped off from alumni and USC doesn’t have the funding to contribute their portion to a new building. I’ve heard that USC trustees don’t really care about any of this because the school is not a revenue generating school, their focus is primarily on schools that can contribute to the Innovista (Business, Engineering, etc.).
USC doesn’t actually have the capital from what I understand, and the fundraiser wizards who know about these things think the bar is not likely to be willing and able to donate enough, either. The B-School would have been a reasonable option, but they rented that out to the feds to raise enough $ to build the new B School.
You rent, in part, because you do not have the capital on hand to purchase. You rent because it may be a better deal. You rent because you cannot purchase at the location you desire, perhaps because it is not for sale, or perhaps because you do not have the capital.
As far as parking goes, there will be a new city parking garage, and there could easily be the shuttles used now. Students working at the law firms or courts would not have to get into a car to go to and from job to class…Finding parking options for students is easier than finding parking for adult employees. Students are more likely to walk further, bike or use a moped.
The USC BOT is full of attorneys, I find it hard to believe they don’t care about the Law School.
USC only does what is best for USC. Benjamin also recently suggested using the USC baseball field for a minor league team. Think that will happen?
Rather than just putting ideas out there, why not talk to USC first to see if there is even any interest in talking about it. A joint statement from the mayor and USC would carry more credibility.
Lots of communication from the new mayor except for the one topic everyone would like to hear him address in his own words… Not thru spokesmen
“caring about the law school” and being willing to pony up the kind of bucks it would take are tow different things…
It is a truism that Columbia has a thinly capitalized philanthropic class. We don’t have the very rich–just the “sort of well-off” for the most part, and the richer people get tapped for just about every cause. Read the program for just about any arts event, and you see the same people listed in the higher donation levels.
@ Doug –and how do you know he hasn’t spoken with USC? and if he has, then people would talk about back room dealings…
It was a car accident. It is being handled by professionals. Until I see evidence that anyone was treated unfairly, I would actually rather hear about the future of the place where I live and pay taxes. People who live in Blythewood may find the tabloid aspects amusing, but I’m interested in my city.
I think it sounds great and would be a shot in the arm for Main Street businesses.
Congratulations, Bud!
@Kathryn:
“and how do you know he hasn’t spoken with USC? and if he has, then people would talk about back room dealings…”
Uh, back room dealings that both he and USC talk about openly? Are they still back room dealings then?
I have lots of ideas on how we could improve Columbia. Actually getting them done would take a little more effort besides issuing a press release.
As for the car accident, the longer it drags out, the more it looks like special treatment or else trying to find a way to cover up the details. How many man hours have been spent by the police on this one accident? How many would have been spent if the driver was just a random guy? It’s been a month now with no information provided to the public. How about the police just telling us what they’ve done so far and when they expect to complete the investigation? Is that really too much to expect? The best way to deflate any talk about a coverup is to provide information.
My prediction:
USC response to Benjamin’s Law School idea: “It’s an interesting idea. We will study it and respond at a later date. We look forward to working with the new mayor.”
USC’s response to using the baseball field for a minor league team: “It’s an interesting idea. We will study it and respond at a later date. We look forward to working with the new mayor.”
Is there a link to Benjamin recommending a minor league team at Carolina Stadium? If so, please provide.
That statement would be an excellent illustration of Benjamin saying things that “sound great” but have not merit. The City and USC went round and round on this issue prior to USC building the stadium. Does the City somehow have an immediate source of cash to purchase a portion of the stadium that was built by USC? Are they willing to issue bonds to provide such cash when the storm water and sewer systems are in the shape they are in?
It may be a nice idea; but moving the law school to the old SCANA bldg. is a non-starter for several reasons. The first is that the building itself is a white elephant. It is physically obsolete and laughably inefficient due to its awkward footprint and interior dimensions. The building simply could not accommodate the needs of a school for classroom space, etc.
Since it is not in any way a landmark, the best thing for everyone – the ownership of the ex-SCANA bldg included – would be to tear it down and rebuild something that makes sense. But I’m not sure where that would leave the hotel. Torn down, too?
The law school deserves a purpose built facility. Or something like a total renovation of a more usable structure. A class B minus awkward office tower with no parking just isn’t it.
Here’s the link to the Benjamin/minor league baseball story from last week:
http://www.thestate.com/2010/05/14/1285719/morris-benjamin-has-eye-for-pro.html
“I have lots of ideas on how we could improve Columbia. Actually getting them done would take a little more effort besides issuing a press release.”
Maybe so, but issuing a press release, after actually having the idea, is a good start.
What are your ideas?
Disclaimer:Mr Benjamin was my 2nd choice for mayor.
I read in Free Times yesterday that he plans to announce a 4-peep transition team, has “branded” himself w/ his own mayor-elect seal, and indicated that renovations to his shabby new office space are near the top of his agenda. Also his campaign spokesman still mostly speaks for him.
This concerns me because it points back to the reasons I could not go with this Steve as my numero uno candidate for mayor. No doubt he’s the “rising star” in the SC Dem party. I fear he’s more interested in the mayor’s throne as the proverbial stepping stone to more exalted seats (you “inner circle” folks know you’ve heard the rumors of a congressional bid) and, more than likely, will be a 1 term mayor. Our city imho sorely needs a mayor who wants to stay put for a while.
His early campaign pledge to make merging city/county services an urgent priority was the other reason he didn’t get my vote the 1st time. While there might be benefits from some degree of consolidation, I firmly believe we need to slow down and not rush into that merger. Bigger is not always better, especially in matters of transparency and accountability. And the mayor-elect (emphasis on mayor-elect) is already aggressively “lobbying” in that direction.
I hope the mayor’s office is not destined for political flash(as in wonderful new ideas that don’t have a pig’s chance of flying) over much needed, long overdue substance.
As for the car accident, the decision by him and/or his advisors to stay silent doesn’t sit well with me. Nor does it jive w/ the pledge for “open communications” in his Tandy Carter statement. It has slightly tainted my trust and confidence in the man, who by all accounts is basically a good person, I helped elect to be my mayor.
“more than likely, will be a 1 term mayor.”
but Steve Morrison also said he was only in for one term, didn’t he?
and I repeat that it is SB’s right to remain silent, and let the process take its course. He may still feel like it is unseemly to put forth his version of events when the other party’s lawyer says she cannot recall what happened.
I’d like the police to at least explain where they are in the process-are they waiting for forensic results?
Of course it’s his right to remain silent, but for someone who ran on a campaign slogan of “open communication” and “transparency”……this is a miserable start for full-filling those pledges to the voting public. Would you agree?
In regards to a minor league team…..the City owns Capital City Stadium. It obviously is not fit for play currently. So, what to do? Invest in it and attract a team, or talk about how great it would be to use someone else’s stadium and how awesome it would be to have pro-baseball here again.
Once again, no real ideas or solutions here from Benjamin.
City’s that attract great franchises do so by recruiting, then building first class facilities.
Or better yet, recruit some private funds to build a great stadium. See: Flour Field
@RF–Transparency in government is not the same thing as giving up your right to a fair defense in a personal matter. There is plenty of evidence that SB is anxious for a full and fair investigation and for the results of that investigation to be released. He has no obligation to shoot himself in the foot by taking a stance that might be proven to be factually incorrect later. He may not recall much or be totally sure of what he recalls. I’d say I want a prudent leader before one who shoots his mouth off–like our governor did.
and as a resident and active volunteer in our fair city, more baseball (USC has plenty, no?) is way way down on my list of things we need.
I think the reason that SCANA moved out of the Palmetto Center to build a new HQ in Cayce, was for several reasons: infrastructure, it would take a lot of money to upgrade the facilities from Tier 2 occupancy to Tier 1; parking is another problem with garages owned by the city and private entities, working out agreements is the “devil in the details”.
But Bejamin’s plan sounds great. Main St. needs local merchants for food and drink, not some McStarbucks.
Fair defense in a personal matter? What does he have to defend? Whatever happened happened.
A defense means that you tell your side of the story as best you can, in as favorable a light as possible since the other side is going to do the same thing. He may not have all the information at hand to determine that–he’s a smart, good lawyer and knows the issues. I previously linked to a famous video by a law professor about why you shouldn’t talk to the cops without a lawyer, even if, and especially if, you have nothing to hide.
Here it is again. It’s worth your time to watch it.
I’m quite aware of the Miranda warning, and the reasons why you may or may not want to talk to the police without a lawyer.
It is hypocritical for Benjamin to run with a campaign slogan of “government transparency” then the day after the election he plows into a citizen at 5 am. He was alleged to not have his headlights on. He’s been alleged to have been drinking in the wee hours of the morning prior to this accident. The police chief lost his job due to this whole accident and his handling of the investigation. Benjamin has been silent the entire time. Does he owe it to the public to address the allegations since he promised to be 100% transparent as mayor?
If you are admitting that Benjamin is a hypocrite, then we agree.
Hey,he collided with a car–and who had the right of way has not been determined.
There is video of a black Mercedes SUV with its lights on driving in frontof the Oyster Bar on Park Street moments before.
The police AND the Highway Patrol determined that he was not impaired.
Tandy Carter lost his job because he got so publicly in his bosses’ faces by requesting an AG opinion. Other than unwisely failing to hand over the investigation, there is no evidence otherwise that CPD mishandled it.
Steve Benjamin no more has an obligation to make a public declaration on this private matter than he does to tell us about his marital relations or intestinal state. Transparency in GOVERNMENT does not mean giving up all privacy.
Who in their right mind would run for office under the level of “transparency” you require?
In the case of this accident, one of the drivers has to be at fault. Either the driver turning onto the street did not see the other vehicle or the driver going thru the intersection either ran a red light or was distracted in some way.
What other scenarios could there be? In a T-bone collision at a light, somebody was where they weren’t supposed to be.
All I want to hear is some words come directly out of Mr. Benjamin’s mouth. “I was not on the phone.” would be a good start. “The light was green in my direction” would end all the chatter. That’s it. Two statements. Then we can wait for the police to complete their Warren commission like investigation of a two car accident.
Katy:
Being in public office means you no longer have the same private life afforded to all citizens. I think that fact would be confirmed my anyone elected with half a brain.