CA To Demur On Downtown Plan?

The Sun/Flier's local news blog says CA's Board of Directors is set to vote on a motion to oppose a developer’s plan to construct buildings and roads in Symphony Woods as part of the proposed rebuilding of downtown Columbia over the next 30 years.

Some members of the board believe that developing Symphony Woods, which encloses Merriweather Post Pavilion, would disturb a serene, natural and forested area in downtown Columbia, according to board member Cynthia Coyle, of Harper’s Choice, who proposed the motion.

“I think it has the potential to be developed into a nice park,” Coyle said.

...On July 10, the board’s three-member Planning and Strategy Committee, which includes Coyle, passed a motion stating that the board wants General Growth to protect Symphony Woods’ natural setting for community use and would oppose the construction of buildings or roads there.

“The motion is saying that we’re not ready to accept buildings yet in Symphony Woods,” said CA board chairman Tom O’Connor, of Dorsey’s Search. “We haven’t had that full discussion with General Growth yet, so we’re not signing up for it.”

The full 10-member board has scheduled a vote on the motion for Thursday, July 24.