State House ‘front porch’ idea met with more resistance

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin took to the airwaves to stress the importance of the “front porch” initiative that has been met with resistance most recently from a Lexington senator.

The city of Columbia won a $195,000 grant by the Knight Foundation in June with its initiative “The State’s Front Porch.” It reimagines the grounds of the State House as a social hub, hosting movie nights, picnics and concerts, among other attractions.

In a video editorial published by WIS 10 News, Benjamin argues a front porch is not a circus or a beach.

“South Carolina will be the very first state in the nation to provide this concept for its residents and its visitors,” Benjamin said. “The city of Columbia’s leadership and staff are committed to working with our governor, his staff and our state elected officials to showcase our hospitality and enhance the reputation of our state in a way that is tasteful, respectable, and representative of the hospitality that we’re famous for.”

But the idea continues get pushback.

Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, has repeatedly expressed frustration with the proposal, arguing the grounds of the State House are not the place to “play corn hole and sit around in a beach chair or even hang a hammock between two palmetto trees.” She has suggested those events be held at a park.

Also, the state Department of Administration told Benjamin in May that it could not support the project, citing concerns about liability and security issues, property maintenance as well as the “appropriate decorum” of the Capitol grounds.

The final decision is up to the General Assembly, the Department of Administration said.

Cherokee Republican Sen. Harvey Peeler, chairman of the Senate’s State House Committee, also is opposed to the idea. He sent an email in June to the committees that would be involved in deciding the issue, telling them that he supports the Department of Administration’s position.

As of Friday, neither committee has scheduled a meeting to take up the issue. The 2018 legislative session is set to begin in January, though committees often meet during the off session.

This story was originally published July 14, 2017 at 10:32 AM with the headline "State House ‘front porch’ idea met with more resistance."