Still More Rumors, Ramblings, and Otherwise Untrustworthy Information Regarding Downtown Conway 9-26-09
Local churches, Conway Main Street USA, and City of Conway are all the talk in Downtown Conway South Carolina this month. The pace and complexity of the issues would require a room full of lawyers, hours of debate, and action from City Council to resolve. Indications are that we will see all of the above in the coming months.
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Let's start with the churches. Foundations Community Church has chosen the Historic Downtown Conway as the preferred setting for planting their new church. The City of Conway has denied FCC's plans citing zoning restrictions. On Thursday evening the Zoning Board of Appeals heard the case and voted unanimously against the FCC. FCC has stated that the City of Conway is in violation of their constitutional rights and federal law. Shafter M. Johnston, Senior Pastor at FCC told us Friday that he intends to file formal complaint with the Department of Justice, and will, most likely be filing a Federal Law suit. I spoke with a few business owners regarding FCC's use of the building and as expected most were split with strong convictions for their position. Opposition seems to revolve around complications with the laws regarding alcoholic beverage sales in the vicinity of churches and the perceived negative economic impact that a church would have on the surrounding businesses. Supporters are citing property owner's rights, civil rights, and general support of FCC's mission for the community.
For More Information:
Foundations Community Church Website
USDOJ - Religious Freedoms Pamphlet
If one feels that FCC has acted hastily in pursuing their agenda they need only look to First Baptist Church of Conway to see the if a more patient and neighborly approach has paid dividends. First Baptist has been pursuing their building plans for about two years and have yet to recieve approval from the City of Conway. FBC has been growing and serving Conway for more than 140 years and it is said that patience comes with age.
At the center of the debate is a structure on Elm Street that FBC owns. FBC would like to remove the home to meet parking requirements for it's new buildings. And some of the residents and members of the Planning Commission would like to save the home for it's historical significance. Church neighbors are split on the issue, some see the home as significant to the historical and residential integrity of the neighborhood. Others welcome FBC's plan for growth, value it's service to the community, and favor owner rights. FBC has followed the City's recommendations by hosting a public input meeting, redrawing plans, more public input, etc. Now it appears that the time has come for the City to make a decision. Thursday 10/1, a meeting will be held at City Hall at 5:30 p.m and it is expected to be FBC's final appearance before the Planning Commission.
For More Information:
CITY OF CONWAY - PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009
CITY OF CONWAY - PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2009
The City of Conway is in the process of burying power lines in the Downtown Business District. Moving the unsightly web of wires and cables underground has universal support among business owners and residents. The problem that arose recently involves the timing of the project. The plan to dig up Laurel Avenue is scheduled to begin sometime in November or December. These are the two busiest shopping months of the year. Businesses on Laurel have just survived a recession choked spring and summer. Most had high hopes that the this holiday season would bring a strong finish to an otherwise dismal year. That will surely change if Laurel is a mud pit and hard hat zone during the biggest shopping months of the year. Conway Main Street USA, who receives financial support from the City as well as the merchants is accused of being asleep at the wheel. They are seen as a liaison of sorts between downtown businesses and the City of Conway. Last week member businesses contacted Main Street who seemed unaware of the details and timing of the project. The plans have been in the works for over a year.
***UPDATE - 10/9/08*** City of Conway has met with business owners and has agreed not to work on Laurel until after Jan 1st. Thank you City of Conway for working with and for downtown businesses. Good job business owners for voicing your concerns protecting the retail environment!
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On a positive note, two new businesses have moved to Main Street.
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2009-10-01 19:42:46 | BStreeter - I'm Disappointed
After what happened in Norman Alley I have to say I am very disappointed to hear that efforts have not been made to notify, prepare and otherwise head off this problem before now. I don't want to place blame, point fingers or be "negative." But let's be real here. This is not just a ho-hum "let's sweep it under the rug" problem here. Months of orange cones, construction equipment and "danger signs" are not just an inconvenience! It takes thousands of dollars from merchants revenue. Revenue they count on to pay their bills, taxes, employees, etc. Merchants should not only have been notified months ago, but plans should already be in place to advertise the fact these businesses will still be open for business and the sidewalks are safe for pedestrians. Main Street and the Chamber should be working in partnership with Laurel Street businesses. Is this not the mission of the Main Street program? Certainly there should have been money set aside in the City's Contingency Fund to help assist in advertising and promotion for the merchants. This is historically their most lucrative time of the year. If merchants had known construction was going to happen at Christmas, they could have been ready, sought financing or prepared in some way! They could even have requested that construction begin in months that are not so crucial to their overall bottom line. Pop's Glass is still trying to recover from months and months of lost revenue due to the construction in Norman Alley. We thought we were prepared, but what was supposed to be a few months, turned in to six! The Alley is certainly beautiful now. My hope is that the citizens of Conway appreciate the City's efforts and will come downtown,enjoy the new look and support all of our downtown merchants. We must all take a serious look at how we are treating each other and work harder to understand the challenges that our downtown businesses are facing.
I was just about floored when I heard that the city would be doing a construction project on Laurel Street during November and December. How much more of a financial beating can we take? How did I find out about it. Not from the City, not from the Chamber, not from Main Street but from a worker of the company who was awarded the project who came into my store. City said they sent out letters to all businesses. Laurel Street must have been missed as NO ONE got them on this street. Calls to the powers that be got a lot of comforting words of encouragement and keep your chin up attitudes but to my knowledge the project goes on. I hope this is not like the fiasco of a project on Normans Alley, or the never ending digging up and resurfacing in the Platt Alley project. Time will tell and my financial strength is running thin. Maybe the Thursday night carriage ride this Christmas will have Santa in a hard hat dodging all the orange cones.