Committee advances campus redevelopment grant; $1.5 million request, SEH kickoff and potential bridge demolition discussed

The Richland County Campus Redevelopment Ad Hoc Committee advanced a redevelopment grant application and directed staff to continue preparing reimbursement invoices and supporting materials after a project kickoff with consultant SEH. The committee was asked to submit an application that lists $1,500,000 in intended spend; committee members noted that figure does not cover the full $2,000,000 ceiling referenced in prior discussions and that survey and demolition costs remain uncertain. "This isn't technically grant funding. This was statutorily obligated to Richland County, without strings attached to it," a staff member said during the meeting. At a project kickoff on Aug. 12, SEH reported it will compile a list of potential developers to engage, coordinate a site visit and begin a market analysis and stakeholder engagement; SEH also told the group its initial view is that two campus buildings are not reusable. Committee members asked staff to add a future agenda item to define property boundaries for SEH's work and requested SEH minutes be included in the committee packet. Discussion focused on several contingencies that could change the grant request: unknown survey costs, possible demolition of an additional bridge, corporation counsel time for parcel work, and utility separation. Committee members described one on-site bridge as "severely weight restricted" and nearing end of life; staff said they had gathered invoices and intend to pursue reimbursement for prior bridge work. Committee members also noted coordination with the city will be required to upgrade a gravel/pathway to a city street to meet city specs. Members asked for flexibility in the application because SEH's analysis or future needs could justify adding items. The committee noted a two-year window was available to add to the project list, subject to the grant program's rules. Staff said they had received a bid for certain utility separation work and would add corporation counsel time to the application packet. The committee moved into closed session under statute section 19-85(e) to deliberate potential future uses of campus buildings. After returning to open session, committee member Manning moved — and committee member Frank seconded — to forward the item discussed in closed session to the county executive and finance committee for further action; the motion passed and the committee recorded that the item would be sent to executive and finance. Next steps noted by the committee: finalize and submit the application with the $1.5 million placeholder if acceptable to the grant administrator, include survey and counsel estimates as they become available, incorporate SEH boundary recommendations at a future meeting, and continue collecting invoices to pursue reimbursement for previous bridge expenditures.