include Hall Institute in the sale of the property. The agency does not have the funds to replace Hall Institute with a new hospital, and sees no likelihood of having sufficient funds for a new hospital in the foreseeable future. The agency does appear to have sufficient funds set aside to renovate the hospital.
In July of this year, an Application was filed with the City of Columbia to impose an “Architectural Conservation District” on approximately 40 acres of the Bull Street campus, encompassing many of the State Hospital’s oldest remaining buildings, including the Babcock Building. Such a designation would add an additional layer of regulation on any plan to demolish or alter a building or structure within the district. The Department has gone on record as opposing this proposal as both un-necessary and potentially counter-productive.
During our meetings, the City of Columbia advised the Department that they would support any rezoning of the Bull Street property for development, which is in accordance with the concepts and principles of the Duany Plan. The Duany plan contains specific recommendations to retain a number of the historic buildings in the area proposed for designation as an Architectural Conservation District, including the Babcock building.
Even without such a District, a prospective buyer will have to secure approval from the City, and that approval process will address the preservation of the buildings and structures. It is not necessary to add the proposed designation under these circumstances.
Adding the designation could also further delay the preservation of historic buildings and structures on the Bull Street property. The listed buildings/structures are all currently vacant and DMH does not have the funds to devote to their preservation or restoration. To the extent the proposed conservation district designation discourages the current prospective buyer or others from further consideration of the property, the designation will have the effect of further postponing the transfer of the buildings on the property into the ownership of an entity with the resources and financial incentive to preserve and re-develop them.
I anticipate that there will be other challenging issues to address as we proceed in our efforts to sell the Bull Street property. The Commission and I will base all of our decisions not only on the information and advice from experts, but on the goal of obtaining the most advantageous agreement possible for the patients and clients of the agency.
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