City Council member Kim Daniels wants council to vote on her bill to lease the former National Guard Armory to the Sons of Confederate Veterans Kirby-Smith Camp 1209.
Council President Bill Gulliford says slow down.
Daniels called a meeting Tuesday with Gulliford to ask for a vote on her bill and voice concerns over another group that recently entered the discussion about converting the historic armory into an arts and education hub.
She supports the Sons of Confederate Veterans goal of restoring the facility and turning it into a military museum.
But, with the others showing interest, Gulliford said council should "hold up, take a breath" and see what the offer is before determining the best use of the facility.
"It has nothing to do with individual organizations, people or the like," Gulliford said. "I'm not saying I am endorsing any side or position … but before we go into a 10-year agreement, maybe we need to step back and see if there is another opportunity."
One example he provided was a recent lease deal Downtown for a rental car company. Toward the end of the legislative process, a competitor inquired about the facility, which spurred a better deal.
The nonprofits' collaboration is offering to renovate the entire 80,000-square-foot site into "The Artery at the Armory," a place for galleries, studio space, community arts education and use by other arts-focus nonprofits.
Last week, the group presented to the council Finance Committee the idea and had four stakeholders, but one has dropped out, which Daniels used as evidence for her stance.
"When we deferred it, it was because another group was interested," Daniels said. "It's clear they are not ready.
"This group is not stable," she said, later adding: "They are officially not a group."
Gulliford said the point may be debatable, but that council members are charged with doing what's best for the community and he was compelled to give them an opportunity to present.
Daniels pressed on.
"We need to let council vote on it," she said. "Look at the facts."
Last Monday, the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee voted 6-1 for the Sons of Confederate Veterans legislation.
The next day, the Finance Committee deferred a vote after the arts group's presentation.
Gulliford said Daniels' bill – introduced in June and allowing the Sons of Confederate Veterans a 10-year lease for the building – could be taken back to finance next week for debate and he could be there for a vote.
But, he did have concerns about the financial aspects of the bill and said that "we have seen the city get taken before" about properties not being fully utilize.
"We didn't do it right," he said.
Yet, Daniels countered with the Sons of Confederate Veterans' support from local companies, such as W.W. Gay and Cecil W. Powell & Co.
The arts group has support from Local Initiatives Support Corp., which could loan it up to $5 million for renovations. The current renovation estimate is $9 million, although the group's leaders believe it will be lower.
Council member Johnny Gaffney represents the district where the armory is located. He told his colleagues at Tuesday's meeting that he supports the arts group because of his constituents.
"That's what they want," he said.
But, as an at-large member, Daniels said it's her area, too.
On Sunday, Gaffney said he will sponsor a bill for the art group with the hope to introduce it Dec. 10, the final council meeting of the calendar year.
After Tuesday's meeting, Daniels said she wanted the delays to stop.
"This is politics," she said. "No more playing politics. Let's get it done."
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