The McCollumn - 9/24

The oligarch of downtown Opelika

“Land monopoly is not only monopoly, but it is by far the greatest of monopolies; it is a perpetual monopoly, and it is the mother of all other forms of monopoly” – Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill

Churchill has always been a favorite of mine, and he’s absolutely right in that quote: mass ownership of land (or property) by one individual or group in a particular area can be and usually is dangerous.

Unfortunately, downtown Opelika seems to be suffering from this particular ailment.

These days, more and more downtown buildings and businesses are coming under the influence and ownership of one particular person.

To their credit, the buildings they own and manage look lovely. The revitalization undertaken to restore and refurbish the buildings is admirable and has improved the aesthetic beauty of our historic downtown Opelika.

However, I feel leery in allowing one person, or the group they represent, to take hold of so much of one particular area.

It is the right of a property owner to raise rent on their tenants as they see fit; I won’t deny them that right.

But, when rents are raised so high that the businesses renting the space can’t afford to make ends meet, perhaps some injustice is being done.

Empty buildings and storefronts, pretty though the exteriors may be, do us no good.

If keeping downtown Opelika strong and viable is the main concern, folding businesses do not do much to advance that agenda.

What was once a vibrant, lovely coffee shop is now, sadly, an empty shell.

I’m also concerned with the leverage and influence such property owners can wield within this community, even on the boards and committees that oversee the renovations and building upgrades those property owners wish to undertake.

The Historical Preservation Commission, the body charged with maintaining the aesthetics and authenticity of our historical downtown, contains one of these owners.

At face value, this makes sense; someone who has interests downtown should have a voice on the body that governs such decisions.

I also want to make it clear that I know for a fact this member does not vote on any plan in which they have any interest, be it as an owner or as a developer. I give them credit for their forbearance.

However, as someone who derives their income from such restorations and redevelopments that are approved by the commission, I think their placement as a member is odd and perhaps a slight conflict of interest.

Sufficed to say, how the large, red neon strip that now adorns the top of the new Irish Bred Pub got past the commission is a mystery to me. There’s nothing historical or aesthetically appropriate about its brazen, sickly glow.

What’s to be done here?

I honestly don’t know.

Awareness, however, should be the first step.

This is happening, and it does need to be addressed.

Downtown’s future growth and preservation is at stake.