The city council has officially withdrawn the Renaissance proposal and cancelled the project. This result confirms that municipal transparency is mandatory when local businesses are at risk. We will continue to monitor future development plans to ensure all fiscal decisions remain subject to public oversight.
January 27, 2018
Final supporters
OFFICIAL PETITION
TO MAYOR OSBON, & MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
Whereas: Plans and negotiations for the Renaissance project were made behind closed doors with no public input, and
Whereas: At least 7 small businesses, including Playoffs and the Mayor's direct competitor Warneke Cleaners, will be forced to move or close their doors under this plan, and
Whereas: The city should be using all possible resources to first assure the public safety of its citizens and to shore up crumbling infrastructure, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, and
Whereas: All citizens of the City of Aiken should have the opportunity to vote on whether the City should proceed with the Renaissance before the City expends taxpayer funds and displaces 7 businesses.
Therefore: I urge City Manager Klimm, Mayor Osbon and members of the city council to hold a public hearing once the details (including costs and financing plan) are known and BEFORE any vote takes place by City Council on this, and
Therefore: I urge City Manager Klimm, Mayor Osbon and members of the city council to let the public have the final say in this matter by putting the question to a referendum vote on the ballot Nov. 7, 2017
Updates
October 30, 2017
I have finalized a formal request for document disclosure regarding the initial Renaissance project negotiations. Our focus is moving toward the city council agenda to ensure public testimony is permitted before any vote occurs.
October 30, 2017
The volume of support has reached a level that demands a formal response from City Council. We are currently drafting a letter to City Manager Klimm to request a public hearing on the Renaissance project financing. I will update you once we secure a confirmed meeting time.
Reached 100 supporters
October 30, 2017
41 Comments
No parking garage downtown with public/private funds or agreement. First things first i.e. Infrastructure for older sections of Aiken including residential areas.
There is an overwhelming negative response to this project on social media and other "unofficial" platforms. As citizens of this city, the ones this truly impacts, we deserve the chance to make our voices heard.
That local politicians could consider driving healthy, locally-owned business out of downtown for a PARKING GARAGE is wrong in so many ways. Do better, Aiken leadership!
As an Aikenite, it is so heartbreaking having our charming city being chipped away at bit by bit. The Alley looks like a strip mall with all of it's vintage charm erased. So sad to see others who were raised here as well going along with this.
Downtown Aiken needs to keep it historic character. The parking garage can go a few streets over that are run down and need a face lift. The idea of the city taking over half of the alley for offices is rediculous. That is prime real estate that can be turned into businesses or appartments. They don't need a castle in the sky. There are plenty of vacant buildings on the North side that need to be used.
Amazing difference of opinion! Citizens on one side and Officials on the other.
Those on the City Council are more than happy to spend taxpayer's meager incomes for their pet projects. What perplexes the honest Aiken residents is that the tax and spend pirates think that they can turn Aiken into a showplace.. There are literally hundreds of more attractive towns in S.C. What the intelligent citizens want are their residences to be safe, attractive with reasonable taxes. Aiken is almost there with some fine tuning instead of applying money wasting and useless gingerbread. Thank you.
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The city council has officially withdrawn the Renaissance proposal and cancelled the project. This result confirms that municipal transparency is mandatory when local businesses are at risk. We will continue to monitor future development plans to ensure all fiscal decisions remain subject to public oversight.
January 27, 2018
Final supporters
OFFICIAL PETITION
TO MAYOR OSBON, & MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
Whereas: Plans and negotiations for the Renaissance project were made behind closed doors with no public input, and
Whereas: At least 7 small businesses, including Playoffs and the Mayor's direct competitor Warneke Cleaners, will be forced to move or close their doors under this plan, and
Whereas: The city should be using all possible resources to first assure the public safety of its citizens and to shore up crumbling infrastructure, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, and
Whereas: All citizens of the City of Aiken should have the opportunity to vote on whether the City should proceed with the Renaissance before the City expends taxpayer funds and displaces 7 businesses.
Therefore: I urge City Manager Klimm, Mayor Osbon and members of the city council to hold a public hearing once the details (including costs and financing plan) are known and BEFORE any vote takes place by City Council on this, and
Therefore: I urge City Manager Klimm, Mayor Osbon and members of the city council to let the public have the final say in this matter by putting the question to a referendum vote on the ballot Nov. 7, 2017
Updates
October 30, 2017
I have finalized a formal request for document disclosure regarding the initial Renaissance project negotiations. Our focus is moving toward the city council agenda to ensure public testimony is permitted before any vote occurs.
October 30, 2017
The volume of support has reached a level that demands a formal response from City Council. We are currently drafting a letter to City Manager Klimm to request a public hearing on the Renaissance project financing. I will update you once we secure a confirmed meeting time.
Reached 100 supporters
October 30, 2017
41 Comments
We need a referendum vote on this. Quit keeping it a secret. If it's really good folks will vote for it.
No parking garage downtown with public/private funds or agreement. First things first i.e. Infrastructure for older sections of Aiken including residential areas.
There is an overwhelming negative response to this project on social media and other "unofficial" platforms. As citizens of this city, the ones this truly impacts, we deserve the chance to make our voices heard.
That local politicians could consider driving healthy, locally-owned business out of downtown for a PARKING GARAGE is wrong in so many ways. Do better, Aiken leadership!
As an Aikenite, it is so heartbreaking having our charming city being chipped away at bit by bit. The Alley looks like a strip mall with all of it's vintage charm erased. So sad to see others who were raised here as well going along with this.
Downtown Aiken needs to keep it historic character. The parking garage can go a few streets over that are run down and need a face lift. The idea of the city taking over half of the alley for offices is rediculous. That is prime real estate that can be turned into businesses or appartments. They don't need a castle in the sky. There are plenty of vacant buildings on the North side that need to be used.
Amazing difference of opinion! Citizens on one side and Officials on the other.
Those on the City Council are more than happy to spend taxpayer's meager incomes for their pet projects. What perplexes the honest Aiken residents is that the tax and spend pirates think that they can turn Aiken into a showplace.. There are literally hundreds of more attractive towns in S.C. What the intelligent citizens want are their residences to be safe, attractive with reasonable taxes. Aiken is almost there with some fine tuning instead of applying money wasting and useless gingerbread. Thank you.
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We need a referendum vote on this. Quit keeping it a secret. If it's really good folks will vote for it.