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Arguments both for and against the proposed Samaritan House expansion were aired Monday, when Orangeburg County Council held a public hearing on plans to donate county-owned property on Carolina Avenue for the local short-term care homeless shelter.

Also, for the first time, details of the plan itself the construction of five duplexes for low-income housing were revealed.

With both sides accompanied by a couple of dozen supporters, council heard from two Samaritan House board members and a number of Carolina Avenue residents who are opposed to the site.

Second reading of the ordinance to sell the old nurses dormitory to the non-profit shelter for $10 will not be considered until the May 19 session.

We did not put second reading on tonight, said Council Chairman Harry Wimberly. This will give the folks of Orangeburg a chance to voice their opinion, pro and con. That will give County Council two weeks, to come back at the next meeting with second reading or our decision.

Jim Johnson, representing some of the neighborhood businesses and residents, said that, although he and others support the mission of Samaritan House, they are opposed to the proposed location due to safety issues and concern for property values.

Its a good project, a good intent, but its not a desirable location, he said. Youre a pro economic development council and this is a business area. ... This is just not the appropriate site.

Noting the high concentration of medical offices and businesses in the area, he questioned the advisability of moving low-income people in transition, many struggling to overcome drug and alcohol problems, into such an environment. They might be tempted, he said, if theyre on a course to rehabilitation.

In addition, Johnson argued that the low-income or transitional housing would demoralize the neighborhood residents who take pride in their property and really make a businessman think twice before locating a business in the commercial area. Community and property values would decline, he said. Also, he said that alternate sites should be considered.

Pointing out that accounts of first reading had indicated the project involved renovation of the old nurses dormitory, Johnson said that hes not sure the right question has been asked. There will be no renovations, he said, but the building will be demolished and one-bedroom duplexes will be constructed.

County Administrator Bill Clark said after the session that renovations had been initially considered. Although he felt that renovations would not be feasible, due to the poor condition of the building, he said that he had not received final information, including plans to raze the building, from the Samaritan House architect until after the April 21 meeting.

Also speaking against the location were Dr. Robert Cress, who cited potential parking problems; and Dr. Bob Varn, a dentist, who argued that, with a pediatric clinic next door, the site is not appropriate. In addition, massage therapist Sarah Wiles said the block should be maintained as a commercial area for all of the health care providers.

Calling the project a beacon of hope, Dr. Marvin Wilson, Samaritan House board president, detailed the new vision called Carolina Place.

Oftentimes, a Samaritan House resident leaves the shelter and is forced to return because he or she is unable to secure affordable housing, he said. There are also people in our community who cannot secure affordable housing due to their personal financial circumstances. Carolina Place will present 10 one-bedroom apartments to single individuals or couples at an estimated rent of $340 per month, plus utilities.

Samaritan House will manage the facility and ensure that tenants meet eligibility standards and comply with rules and regulations.

Mr. Johnson and others who are here, dont be afraid of Samaritan House. Dont stereotype, said Wilson.

Also, speaking in support of the location was Blackville contractor Dan Ligon, a Samaritan House consultant, who explained the scope of the expansion. Replacing the old dilapidated building, will be five duplexes or 10 small apartments, designed to be affordable for people making $7 to $9 an hour. Samaritan House will manage the property. Its in no ones best interest, he said, to turn the property into a slum. There will be five neat, clean, new buildings, he said, all maintained at an incredible high level.

In response to questions from Councilman Willie B. Owens, Samaritan House officials said that there is a zero crime rate at the Middleton Street facility. Residents, who stay on average six months to a year, know the rules and are made to leave if there are problems. Also, staff is on duty 24-7 and the city of Orangeburgs Department of Public Safety is nearby and can be called if there is a problem.

This is low income housing. Once they rent it, theyre there, said Wilson. This is not just for the homeless, but for low-income people, as well.

Since the fall of 2000, the faith-based homeless shelter on Middleton Street has served an average of 35 people a day, including men, women and children who are homeless, but ready to improve their lives. Residents may stay up to two years.

In other business, council:



* After a public hearing, gave second reading to an ordinance authorizing the issuance of almost $10 million in general obligation bonds.

As explained during the previous session, Clark said that there are three main purposes for issuing $9,715,000 in bonds. The primary reason, he said, is in response to legislation changes that authorize general fund transfers to debt service. Also, he said, there are various capital items already budgeted and there are funds for various anticipated economic development projects.

According to the bond ordinance, proceeds from the bond sale will be used for five main areas to purchase vehicles and equipment for various departments, including emergency services and law enforcement; to prepay outstanding equipment lease obligations; to acquire approximately two parcels of land totaling 183 acres that will be used for a new industrial park and to expand an existing park; to extend and improve a water treatment plant in the eastern part of the county; and to pay the costs of the bond issuance.

According to state law, based on the assessed value of its taxable property, the county can borrow up to $19,332,486 without referendum approval. The issuance of the $9.7 million in bonds would bring the countys total issuance to $17.5 million.

* Gave second reading to an ordinance to provide for a special source credit agreement with Roseburg Forest Products, the firm that bought the former Georgia-Pacific plant in Holly Hill. The project, which will be placed in a multi-county industrial park, also will receive fee-in-lieu-of-taxes incentives. The $36.5 million investment will save 117 jobs.

* Agreed to approve negotiations of up to $5,000 with the Orangeburg Fair Association for the temporary location of a farmers market. The county will provide a fence, gate and modular building.

* Accepted the $64,000 low bid, submitted by Blueprints of Asheville, N.C., for computer software that will integrate zoning and permitting.

* Accepted Salley Subdivision, Phase II, into the county road maintenance system.

* Received as information, a request from Thomas Kinsey of the Cannon Bridge Road area for help in obtaining grants, including Homeland Security, for lighting the neighborhood. He also announced a May 17 neighborhood cleanup.

* Received as information, a request for grant application help from the Nix-Stilton Road Improvement Organization for a 2.7-acre parcel it wants to use for a park.

* After amending the agenda, passed a resolution honoring Amani Abeid Karume, president of Zanzibar, who is addressing South Carolina State University graduates.

* Received as information, notification that a relief fund has been established for the families of two county employees Deputy William Howell Jr., who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, and Melvin Frazier, whose daughter was killed and his sons seriously injured in an automobile accident last week.

* In closed, executive session, discussed several confidential economic development matters.

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

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