AS WE SPEAK OF FINLEY PARK.....IT'S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR since a Colorado-based designer released plans to upgrade the place. But - since those changes were announced - nothing has really taken shape <\/p>\n
Kayla Binette, wltx 11:15 PM. EDT July 07, 2017 <\/p>\n
Columbia officials are working to change the perception of Finlay Park. (Photo: WLTX) <\/p>\n
Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- It's been nearly a year since a Colorado-based designer released plans to upgrade Finlay Park. But, since those plans were announced, nothing has really taken shape. <\/p>\n
\"I used to come here a lot, but now, it's just when they have the Movies in the Park,\" said NytashaGlenn-Bray. <\/p>\n
Glenn-Bray said she doesn't bring her children to Finlay Park often because there are no playgrounds for them to enjoy and there's too much homelessness. <\/p>\n
\"You have some people out here, staring at kids, and I'm not too fond of that. It makes you a little paranoid,\" she said. <\/p>\n
Last August, a designer from Citivas: Landscape Architecture Firm presented plans to restore the park to its former glory. The plans included a new multi-purpose building, a splash pad and rejuvenating the infamous fountain. The project would cost more than $20 million -- but one year later. <\/p>\n
\"Not much really is going on with Fnlay Park, other than we have decided that the $20 million project was too much for the park at this time,\" said Councilman Howard Duvall. <\/p>\n
Councilman Duvall said the city is looking to spend $10 million on the project. <\/p>\n
\"We need to shore up the fountain and the walls. We need to make sure it's safe,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Duvall said he doesn't know why the design firm has not come back with an alternate, more affordable, plan. <\/p>\n
\"I need direction. That's the simple way to put it,\" said Mark Johnson, the designer. <\/p>\n
According to Johnson, he has not been contacted by the city to make a plan that will cost $10 million. <\/p>\n
\"If the mayor called me up and said, 'Show us what we can do for $10 million', we can do that, but we just haven't been given that request,\" said Johnson. <\/p>\n
Johnson said it's common for them to design a plan, but the city takes a few years before they're able to prioritize the funding. <\/p>\n
If the renovations happen, Duvall hopes it becomes a destination spot for Columbia. <\/p>\n
\"It'll be a place you can go without the concerns. It'll just live up to the dream of Kirk Finlay who envisioned that park many years ago.\" <\/p>\n
Duvall said they are looking at different funding sources to come up with the $10 million. <\/p>\n
2017 WLTX-TV <\/p>\n
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Progress of Finlay Park Renovation - WLTX.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AS WE SPEAK OF FINLEY PARK.....IT'S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR since a Colorado-based designer released plans to upgrade the place. But - since those changes were announced - nothing has really taken shape Kayla Binette, wltx 11:15 PM. EDT July 07, 2017 Columbia officials are working to change the perception of Finlay Park. Continue reading