Upcoming Finance Committee Vote

Fairmont Rd. Property and GCRA’s Vital Role in Our Community

As the next Greenville County Finance Committee meeting on September 9, 2024, approaches, I want to take a moment to provide clarity on an important agenda item: the transfer of properties on Fairmont Road to the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) for neighborhood development. I understand that decisions like these can prompt questions, so I want to be transparent about the history behind this issue and why I believe this is the right move for our community today.

The agenda item can be found here: Fairmont Road Ordinance

First, I want to recognize the significant contributions the GCRA has made to Greenville County. Their efforts in revitalizing neighborhoods have had a lasting impact—creating affordable housing, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for countless residents. Turning these properties over to the GCRA will further their mission to develop stronger, more vibrant communities.

It’s important to understand that these properties came under county ownership as part of a settlement. Some aspects of this settlement were new to me, and I’ve taken the time to fully research how we got to this point. I’d like to extend my thanks to our county attorney for providing thorough explanations that helped me grasp the complexities of the situation.

While there are concerns I have about the processes leading up to now, these issues are separate from the decision at hand. I mention them only to highlight the importance of accountability in governance. Although I can’t change what has happened in the past, I remain committed to understanding how we arrived here and ensuring that future actions are handled more transparently.

Now, the immediate question is whether we should transfer this land to the GCRA for neighborhood development. In my view, this is the most responsible use of taxpayer-owned property. The GCRA is well-positioned to manage the land and initiate development that will benefit the community. It’s essential that we use taxpayer dollars wisely, and I believe this transfer is a sound way to ensure the property serves the public good. However, I want to be clear: supporting this transfer does not mean I am overlooking or condoning the actions that led to the settlement or the acquisition of these properties. As your councilman, my responsibility is to address the matters currently before us and act in the best interest of the community moving forward.

I also want to assure you that I will remain vigilant in ensuring that situations like the one that led to this settlement do not happen again during my time on County Council. Accountability and oversight are crucial in preventing legal and financial missteps that can burden the county and its taxpayers. I am committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every decision we make.

I hope this explanation provides clarity on my position. I believe that as elected officials, we owe it to our constituents to openly explain our votes, particularly on sensitive issues. While I support this item because it is the best path forward for Greenville County, I am still troubled by the circumstances that led us here. I am hopeful that ethical reviews will help shed more light on this issue in the future.

As your representative for District 19, my priority is to ensure that we handle these matters with the honesty and integrity they deserve.

Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility, and I will continue to work in the best interest of our community. - BBD19