Work is moving forward when it comes to renovating Savannah Rapids Pavilion.
The facility suffered damage during Hurricane Helene and has been closed ever since. Facilities Design and Construction Manager Steven Prather told committee members it is for the design and renovation of the facility.
“We didn’t destroy it, but we took it down to the studs, right,” asked Doug Duncan.
Deputy County Manager Matt Schlachter said not everywhere was taken down to the studs, but downstairs was.
The funding will be partial Public Facilities Authority bond and insurance reimbursement.
The committee approved moving forward with the professional services contract with Booker + Vick Architects for the design renovation to Savannah Rapids Pavilion for $607,300. The design is expected to be complete by fall 2025.
MORE: Regional Library Board votes in favor of reshelving guidelines
Development and Planning Services Committee
The Development and Planning Services Committee approved moving forward with the alcoholic beverage license for Towne Center Tavern, LLC. The license is to allow the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for on premise consumption starting Jan. 1, 2025. The restaurant, which is owned by Shawn Ledford, who owns Mellow Mushroom, will be located 7025 Evans Town Center Boulevard Suite 205 in the old Stay. Social. Tap location in the Meybohm Building.
The DPS Committee also approved the acceptance of a donation from the Save the Columns fund. Planning Services Director Scott Sterling said the Save the Columns fund was created to save the columns and other elements from the Old Teachers Cottage from the Evans School.
The fund is looking to donate $7,522.65 with the intent of the money going to the Columbia County Museum, according to the agenda document.
MORE: New restaurant announced for the Plaza at Evans Towne Center
Community and Emergency Services Committee
With the Evans Market becoming more popular, the Community and Emergency Services approved moving forward with updated vendor rules and regulations. Community Services Director John Luton said
“We have seen a tremendous increase in interest in the market since we opened the new pavilion,” Luton said. “I credit Janet Wheatley and her team for what they’ve done. We’re seeing an average attendance of over 1,000 people, that’s probably conservative…some markets have had over 2,500 people easy. We’ve seen an increase in interest in vendors, different sorts of vendors. That has instigated us to review our selection policies, deciding what vendors we want and where they go. There’s a lot of desire to be underneath the pavilion or outside, so we needed something to sort of guide that decision making for the staff.”
The CES committees approved moving resolution 24-48 regarding a change in the Evans Market vendor fees to the debate agenda to go before the full Board of Commissioners. Luton said there is a desire among vendors to be under the pavilion, but a limited number of spots.
“We needed a way to separate how you’re under the pavilion and who goes out into the field,” Luton said. “What staff came up with is there is going to be an opportunity to become a vendor season pass and if you basically commit to that upfront cost for the whole season, you get to select your spot and that’s locked in for the year. If you want to guarantee your sport under the pavilion, we’re giving you that opportunity. Otherwise, you can go week to week, and you may get a spot under there and you may not.”
The fees can be found online here. Because this involves fees, the item has to go before the full Board of Commissioners.
Management and Internal Services Committee
The Management and Internal Services Committee approved moving forward with a master lease agreement with State Properties Commission for Department of Revenue site in the G1 building.
“They’re asking to extend the lease we have in place right now; they’re asking to extend it from Nov. 1, 2024, which would be retroactively extending, it to June 30, 2025,” said County Manager Scott Johnson. “There is a 2% increase. The total amount of rent is $17,869.72 a month. All the other conditions remain the same.”
Johnson added that the State Properties Commission and Department of Revenue are looking for a smaller location. He added they are looking at other properties the county owns and properties it doesn’t.
“We don’t really have any buildings that we have that we can move them into,” Johnson said. “I know they’ve looked into some other places as well…they would like to stay in this area, but het footprint they need is much smaller than what they have, but larger than, it would be larger than most of our departments. We don’t have 20 to 30 people working really in any of our departments here, so we don’t have the space for that.”
District 1 Commissioner Connie Melear asked if the county could use that space if it becomes vacant, with Johnson saying he has some ideas.
