Even before General Growth Properties releases the details of downtown redevelopment, residents want to know who will pay for it.
At the center of this question is the Columbia Association, and how much the landowner and community organization is expected to contribute.
“Obviously people are going to look at CA because we are in the amenity business,” said Association President Maggie Brown.
How much the downtown redevelopment will cost the association will be determined once more details emerge, she said.
The county released last month a broad vision for downtown, intended to guide future development, and landowner General Growth will soon release a more detailed plan for the area.
The CA Board of Directors this week is crafting a response to the plan, after participating in public meetings and fielding residents often competing visions.
“I think that it?s our role to make sure the county knows the concerns of the residents of Columbia, and also as second-largest landowner, to make sure its well planned,” said Evan Coren, Columbia Association board member representing Kings Contrivance.
One concern raised is that the Columbia Association stands to make millions of dollars from the annual property assessment, and some residents say the board expects General Growth to bear most of the costs.
“It brings money to CA and it brings responsibility,” said former CA board member Jud Malone, adding that the board has not been cooperating with the developer.
However, Coren contends the costs of providing additional services could be more than the assessment will bring in and the money should come from General Growth Properties.
“[Cost aside] one of the roles the Columbia Association should play is providing information or ideas or commenting on the concepts that General Growth Properties will have,” Brown said.
