Legacy Ventures CEO says other projects are a moot point vs. Bailey
The Bailey Street Project, a collection of 16 proposed affordable homes, was back on the Land Bank meeting agenda.
Lenwood Coleman, CEO of Legacy Ventures, approached Land Bank members Wednesday, October 23 with an update on the project proposed for the site of the former Bailey Street School.
Coleman met with with City Commission nine days earlier at a work session to request $900,000 of SPLOST funding for the project. He asserted he would return to the regular Tuesday meeting for hard numbers following the request. Coleman was not on the agenda, therefore the request was not addressed at the meeting.
Coleman has long asserted the major hold up for the start of the Bailey Street Project is the delayed release of the funds.
Land Bank Executive Director Marc Hawkins confirmed Coleman’s statements based on emails from the granting agency, Southeast Crescent Regional Commission.
“All those who got the grant had to resubmit timelines,” explained Hawkins. “The money was supposed to drop between October 15 and today (October 26).”
Because the grant money delay has been out of the control of Legacy Ventures, the contract with the Land Bank is still active.
“We just got our notice to proceed five minutes ago,” said Coleman.
Some members of the land bank took the opportunity to ask Coleman about previous Legacy Ventures projects.
Eunice Dixon, the newest member of the body, was not a member when the Bailey Street Project discussions began more than a year ago. During the Q&A, Dixon asked Coleman if there were completed Legacy Ventures projects available to view.
“I have not been able to find anything to document your work so we can see the quality of it,” said Dixon.
“This project has nothing to do with the projects I have done,” replied Coleman.
“What I was supposed to bring in for this application if you read it and you followed the instructions that we were given, was to show the folk that would be doing the work were qualified. This was not predicated on projects we have across the county. It had to do with the project we presented which we want here. Our contract is already approved.”
At the time of the original application, the contractor was Tyco Construction. Tyco is no longer affiliated with Legacy Ventures, and has been replaced by contractor Horace Taylor of Lja Builders in Waycross.
“Horace Taylor has done work all over this area and has the highest certification for a G.M.,” Coleman assured those in attendance.
Rusty Ganas, a regular attendee at Land Bank meetings, told Coleman, “We want to see some properties that have been developed in other areas. I know this should have been asked a long time ago, but I think they (Land Bank members) want to see some of that work.”
Land Bank member and District 3 City Commissioner Katrena Felder addressed Coleman regarding his request for SPLOST money.
“I was not at the previous commission meeting when you came before the city commission requesting $900,000,” said Felder. “Could you provide some clarification on that request?”
“No. I don’t think that is something that should be discussed at this time at this meeting,” Coleman replied. “If you would like to have an executive session to discuss it, we’re more than open. When I have a meeting with a city council, it’s a separation between the council and the Land Bank. Those are concerns for the council, not the Land Bank.”
“You are correct, thank you,” said Felder. “There is a separation between the council and the Land Bank, but you presented before the council requesting funding to be used for a project for the Land Bank. You are cross referencing the city commission and the Land Bank.”
“No, I’m not,” quipped Coleman, “but if you would like to discuss it in executive session, we can. Those are critical business financial decisions between the developer and the city, and that’s where it’s supposed to stay. If you all would like to know more, I have no problem, (but) not in a public forum, discussing it in executive session, but it should not be public information every time I make a decision.”
“If you are coming before a commission requesting money that will come from taxpayers, it should be in an open and public forum,” stated Felder.
Coleman defended his decision not to discuss his request for SPLOST money at the land bank.
“I made that request in a working session with the city,” he said. “You all do not provide SPLOST dollars, the city does. My discussion was with the city in a working session which was the proper forum for that discussion, and that’s where I want to leave it.”
“You are welcome to leave it there,” said Felder, “but I will not.”
Coleman retired from the meeting, stating a pending engagement. Felder then addressed chairman Larry Rood as to whether or not Legacy Ventures has properties available for viewing.
“I gather his response is, ‘No,’” said Felder.
Before the conclusion of the meeting, County Commissioner Timmy Lucas was elected incoming Chairman, and Katrena Felder was elected Vice Chair effective January 1, 2025. Larry Rood and Carlos Nelson will vacate their seats December 31, 2024.
The next Land Bank meeting will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 20 in City Hall. All meetings are open to the public.
