EDITORIAL: City Commission should vote 'yes' on Mount Pleasant Center purchase
When city commissioners meet Thursday night to vote on the purchase of the Mount Pleasant Center property, they should consider the long-term benefits such an action would have on the local economy.
An upfront cost of about $50,000 is a small fee for such a sprawling complex of more than 300 acres and several buildings. Additional costs are expected in the future and the project could end up being significantly more expensive.
Regardless, this would appear to be a low-risk, potentially great-reward situation for the city of Mount Pleasant.
The possible purchase of the property mimics Project 2000, an initiative started by the city in the 1990s. The city intended to purchase and develop a large portion of vacant land in its southeast area, and in doing so created a large tax base that has contributed to its current budget.
The purchase would surely boost the local economy. This will not happen in just a few years and delay is expected.
Abandoned since 2009, the former Mount Pleasant Center has become an eyesore for the community and a place for trespassing. Lead and asbestos have emerged in some of the facilities and their overall conditions have deteriorated.
More than 400 jobs were lost after its closing. Efforts to regain those jobs and possibly create more start with the purchase of this piece of property.
The city also has the option to improve the conditions of the buildings. Putting money into such a venture would pay off in the long run by attracting business owners.
Another option is to demolish the property. However, this comes at a steep cost that could be as high as $4 million. Such a move should be avoided and instead the focus should be on improving the already-existing property.
The state has no need for the property and has done nothing to maintain it. Meanwhile, it could have a lasting impact for the city of Mount Pleasant and allow it to come out of the recession strong.
It has yet to be seen if anyone would be interested in purchasing the property otherwise. If the city does not purchase this parcel of land, the question becomes: Who will?
