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Downtown tenants and residents urge city to protect long‑standing small businesses amid developer negotiations
Summary
Multiple residents and small‑business advocates told the council they want the city to prioritize existing downtown tenants, particularly a restaurateur identified as Mr. Kumar, after the city moved forward with solicitations for the full block of properties.
Several residents and downtown business advocates used the public‑comment period April 28 to urge the Aiken City Council to protect long‑standing small businesses in the Pascallis/Pascal's properties as the city pursues developer proposals for the hotel and surrounding parcels.
Kelly Cornelius, who said she watched a prior meeting when a downtown business owner identified as Kumar requested help, raised concerns about a citizens' advisory committee and public‑meeting requirements under South Carolina law. "Section 30‑4‑20" of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, she said, "reads,…
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