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Charleston agrees to buy Sofa Super Store site after emotional debate
By Scott Miller
Staff Writer
Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. became visibly frustrated as City Council debated buying the Sofa Super Store site to honor the nine firefighters who died there last June.
The $1.85 million price tag bothered some council members, who ultimately approved the deal in April anyway.
More disturbing to many, however, was the unknown cost of building a memorial, a fire station or whatever the city eventually determines it will do with the land. The $1.85 million from the issuance of short-term bond anticipation notes covers only the land purchase.
“We’ve got to take the emotions out of it,” said Councilman Jimmy Gallant, who voted in favor of the purchase despite reservations. “A lot of people are looking at the cost of this.”
Another unknown is how to pay for a memorial. During the council’s debate on the matter, Riley said everyone in the room would donate, including himself.
Charleston firefighters Brad Baity, Mike Benke, Melvin Champaign, Earl Drayton, Michael French, Billy Hutchinson, Mark Kelsey, Louis Mulkey and Brandon Thompson died June 18 after being trapped inside the burning Sofa Super Store. State, federal and local investigators later found the roof of the building had been weakened by the blaze, which collapsed on top of the firefighters.
Storeowner’s plans questioned
Councilman Tim Mallard, one of two council members who opposed the purchase, specifically wondered if the store’s owner, Herb Goldstein, would donate too.
Repeated attempts by the Charleston Regional Business Journal to reach Goldstein have been unsuccessful.
At one point during the council’s debate, Mallard asked if anyone in attendance represented Goldstein. No one answered.
“How much insurance was paid to the Goldstein family?” said Mallard, questioning the price the city was to pay for the property. “Why aren’t they donating?”
Goldstein purchased the property in 1995 for $1.38 million, according to Charleston County tax records.
In September, Goldstein was fined more than $30,000 for violating state safety regulations by padlocking exit doors from the outside of the building, among other citations.
The state Occupational Safety and Health Administration also fined the Charleston Fire Department $9,325 for violating state safety regulations. The city appealed the findings of the board, which reduced the fines to $3,160 and withdrew its allegation that firefighters were
knowingly sent into danger.
In addition, the families of three firefighters killed have filed separate wrongful-death lawsuits against the store.
Lawsuits and fines aside, Riley urged council members to approve the city’s purchase of the property, despite having no clear vision for its use.
“I don’t think this is about Mayor Riley. It isn’t like the Riley ballpark. It’s bigger than that,” said Councilman Larry Shirley.
Committee to determine use
Riley is leaving that decision to the public by forming a committee to determine what to do with the property, perhaps build a memorial or fire station there.
Councilman James Lewis, who voted against the purchase along with Mallard, said the $1.85 million would be better spent upgrading the fire department, something the city has already invested millions in since the fire. He also noted that police officers and other public safety officials killed in the line of duty have not received similar memorials.
Mallard, whose district includes the land at 1807 Savannah Highway, said his constituents opposed the purchase, calling $1.85 million “the tip of the iceberg.”
“Six to eight months from now we’ll be asked to spend another $3 (million) to $4 million to
build a park. Six months later we’ll be asked to spend another $1 million for this or that,” he said.
Riley said he hopes Charleston County, the state and the federal government will help cover the cost of acquiring the land but has not received firm commitments. If the city doesn’t secure any partners, it likely will issue 15-year bonds to cover the $1.85 million cost, Riley said. At this point, the city will issue short-term bond anticipation notes that must be paid in
12 months.
“Even without financial help, the city should do this,” Riley said. “It’s an act of duty and responsibility.”
Mallard said the city shouldn’t expect financial help from any other government because it has now committed to funding the purchase alone.
“Once we do this tonight, nobody’s going to give us a nickel,” Mallard said, suggesting the city purchase just a small portion of the 1.77-acre lot on which to place an engraved plaque.
Council members Robert Mitchell and Aubry Alexander expressed concerns but ultimately voted in favor of the city’s purchase.
“In talking to my constituents, they want to know what we are going to do with the site. I think we, as a council, need to answer that before we spend
$1.8 million,” Alexander said.
Mitchell noted that the city just raised property taxes 4.5% to pay for fire department improvements and that with the state of the economy, taxpayers are already struggling to pay bills.
Questions upset mayor
Council members Wendell Gilliard and Kathleen Wilson said it would be disrespectful not to purchase the property.
The purchase was approved 9-2, with Councilman Gary White abstaining. Councilman Lewis Waring was absent.
Riley, meanwhile, grew visibly upset that anyone would question the acquisition.
Several times during the debate, he mentioned the families of the firefighters and said that the son of one cried when told of the city’s plan to build a memorial.
“I wouldn’t want the little girl or boy whose dad died in this tragedy to read in the paper tomorrow that council even had to consider it,” Riley said.
He also noted repeatedly that the city needed to protect the property from redevelopment, calling it “sacred ground.”
With Goldstein absent from public debates on the purchase, it’s unknown if he’d received any other offers or what he planned to do with the property if the city didn’t buy it.
Scott Miller is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail him at smiller@scbiznews.com.
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