The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, August 27, 1980, Page Page 22A, Image 22

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Parking. now cos By Stephen Ridded Editor (Reprinted from June 25 issue) U! -C students who enjoyed free parking in "the Pit" last year are in for a surprise. This year, they'll have to pay $15 a month for a parking space unless the university regains control of the lot. The university never owned the land at the corner of Pickens and Blossom streets next to the Booker T. Washington Medical Center, and it lost control of the parking lot this summer. Furman Fulmer Co. V.UI1U UIO U1V 1UI (IliU is uifering reserved spaces to anyone willing to pay the price. USC parking official Danny Baker said the lot contained about 200 spaces, all used for students. "I'm really concerned about the females in the South Building and South Tower Arpn hp^ancp fhp novt closest place available for them to park in is the Bates area," Baker said. "This summer we have space available in the Blossom Street Garage for f students who bought a I summer school decal," he said. "They can pay $10 more and get a sticker for the garage, but for students who bought decals back in the fall, we can't help them." BAKER SAID parking won't be a problem this summer, but that if the lot is not back in the university's control Dy iau, 11 will aggrevate the student parking situation. The land was part of a 17acre grant made to the city of Columbia in 1911 by the Rembert family. The family stipulated that the land was to be maintained as a park. The agreement included a clause that would allow the family to regain ownership of the land if it were not used for a park. As the years passed, the city encroached upon the agreement more and more, according to Rembert family attorney William Quirk. "I once calculated how much of the land donated by the family was still dirt and how much of the grant was covered by buildings and blacktop," Quirk said. "There are only a few acres left of park." "USC NEVER HAD the slightest claim on the property," Quirk said. "They had no agreement one Day Cold Sea Leather; space in ts $15 a with the city of Columbia fo the use of the land. The; went on a day-to-day basis o 'if you don't care, I don' care' on using it." Dave Rinker, US< systems vice president fo facilities planning, said h knew the land wa designated part of a publi park, but added that h thought USC had the city' permission to use the land a a parking lot. City Attorney Roy Bate said there was no forma agreement between the cit; and the univertsity. "US< had permission from the cit; to use the land and we knev inai iney were mere am using it," he said. "But I'r sure there was not a writte lease on it." Angered that the land wa being used for a parking lc instead of a park, th Rembert family went t court to regain ownership o the land, Quirk said. "Th decision came down in Jun from the courts and the; found the re-entry clause t be proper," Quirk said. THE FAMILY REGAINE1 control of the land and se Book Special-Back 11.951 Guarant By: Alpenlite Wilderness bxperienc Granite Stairway MOE L Wilderne 1105 Lady St. 765-0818 Open 8:30-6:0( Service il Service (hai s & Suedes Branch For W; 'the Pit' -j-i munin out to find the most economical way to use it, Quirk said. "Condominiums or an apartment complex would probably be the best use for the land. But the university is threatening to i condemn the land so that i they can buy it." Rinker said the university ! is beginning condemnation > proceedings. He said me i university must accept the price set in court. If the condemnation request is 1 approved, the university will regain control of the land immediately, he said. QUIRK SAID THE family wants to keep the land and i that it is not for sale. He said i USC has not made a reasonable offer for the land. i "If they really want to buy the land, USC had better get i serious," Quirk said, i The property is worth i between $300,000 and s $500,000, according to Quirk. i "The best offer USC has made to my knowledge was i $85,000," he said. "USC has been a free tenant for a long time, and that has to i change." Dave Rinker, USC rcawii91 to School-Price 1 :o 23.50 sed for Life JX yy s ss Station Outdoor Gear fj MOnHUHBMeaaHHKaHaBHWHMmJI sicorrie 425 id work) Office at 1415 )de Hampton l A USC student's car i (JSC coeds who live in background. (Photo by J< vice president for facilities planning, said the university received $200,000 from the Joint Bond Revenue Com mittee this summer to bu> ; y , . Jy Let or c der c DOWNTOWN-1)1 I to Cc Assem uuauty won Formal weai Gervais Stre JSC Resident M?1MIii ; fitrirr ^ ,r" g||UK < & v oV^Lj. A:# : :-::& :0:;:^;:>;:;^v:V :v*S>';X\; ;. > - s ticketed in "the Pit." The k South Building and South 1 jhn Parnell) j the property and make 1 r necessary improvements, i About $85,000 was ear- i marked for the purchase. I r The remaining $115,000 was ] JITTC ^Sale borL Wmeris w>r J /KJ alvin Klein Je lim and corduroy oidrnov Blaze / ITCH SQl'ARK'RICHLAND MALM rolina ibfv^ < ? Very Best in set 'S fab _ ClKANEE ? * : .. - .' i.l^JiiiUii"11 r jmmiMh '""l"M<i^jj^^ >:C' :--yx;&?tf*r*fc fv-r--"-" V^-;, r: -/ '^;'; > ' :.. &'?:"'::V^::;\.v:?;'X;'-: $?* ' '''/?> *'''' i >t was used primarily by rower which are in the j to be spent improving the lot. "That is a very important i tiece of property for the miversity to own," said linker. )NS 1 )ay %rr m ans irs wOLl'MBIA MALI and Fabric Care Since 193/J ? UKAKUK?i ncCareCentf1 ?c LA JNDERtRS^llRRit RS