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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, any agency supported in whole or in part by public funds or expending public funds, including committees, subcommittees, advisory committees, and the like…" and asked whether the committee had been treated as a public body.
City staff and council members replied that the city is negotiating with two prospective developers for the entire footprint and that staff had set aside funds to assist tenants if relocation were necessary. A city official responded, "No. That's accurate. We have money set aside for Kumar." That official said rent proceeds had been used to help with relocation should it become necessary but that the city did not know, at that time, whether finalists would include terms allowing current tenants to remain.
Why it matters: downtown parcels under active solicitation carry potential to displace small businesses and change the retail and restaurant mix downtown. Multiple speakers emphasized Kumar's role as an established, popular downtown business and requested that the city include him in negotiations or otherwise protect tenant interests.
Other commenters echoed concerns about transparency and process. One resident said online petitions supporting Kumar had gathered significant signatures. City representatives replied that proposals under review might accommodate existing tenants and that negotiation with developers was ongoing; they also said relocation assistance funds exist if a move becomes necessary.
Council members and staff encouraged continued input and said the procurement and selection process will determine whether a developer proposal includes space for current tenants. No formal action or ordinance related to tenants was taken at the meeting; the issue arose in public comment tied to the broader downtown developer selection process.
