Homeless concerns lead downtown Columbia churches to clash over vacant lot
A gravel lot on Richland Street is at the center of a brewing dispute between two downtown houses of worship.
The lot at 1324 Richland could become a new park and event space operated by nearby Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church if the plan receives approval from a city of Columbia zoning board.
But the proposal is receiving push back from Ebenezer Lutheran Church, located across Richland Street from the property.
The lot, which is owned by the estate of late Columbia businessman Joe Azar and currently used by a neighboring business for parking, would be transformed, according to a proposal presented at Tuesday’s meeting of the board of zoning appeals.
The plan would add a stage, seating areas and a gate. It would host Sunday gatherings, Christmas and Easter celebrations as well as birthday parties, said William Akel, Azar’s cousin. It could hold as many as 200 people, he said.
“There’s nothing else like it. It has an open and natural design,” said Bruce Yeske, an Azar family friend who made the presentation. “We met with church leaders and they’re anxious to get started.”
But the space would cause concerns for the congregation closest by. Speaking on behalf of Ebenezer, David Turner said church officials worry the park could become a stopping place for the downtown’s homeless.
Places full of benches to sleep on “tend to become camp sites,” Turner said. “Unfortunately, we have had people use our property as their personal restroom.”
Yeske said the site’s location and design would make it easy for passing police vehicles to check for anyone trespassing in the park.
The plan is to develop the site and then gift it to Holy Trinity, Yeske said. Akel said the property had initially been offered to Ebenezer, but the church declined. Turner said the Lutheran church already has its own event space.
The proposal also drew opposition from the City Center Partnership.
“It is just much too small and in the wrong location for such a venue,” partnership president Matt Kennell wrote in a letter to the zoning board. “We would support a passive use such as parking or a community garden.”
Members of the zoning board said they worried about the location, because the lot is wedged tightly between two buildings that house office spaces, and the neighborhood has residential homes.
The board also questioned if the space would create parking problems. Yeske said he expects visitors would be served by street parking and parking at Holy Trinity, about two blocks away.
Board chairman Chuck Salley noted no representatives from the Greek Orthodox church attended Tuesday’s hearing. The State’s attempts to contact the church for comment were unsuccessful.
Board members voted to defer action on the proposal until they get more information from Holy Trinity on how the site would be used.
“It’s a noble idea if you can figure it out,” Salley said. “But I don’t see anyone to take ownership of it, and ensure the public it doesn’t become a nuisance or a parking issue.”
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 2:32 PM.
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