Aiken’s Project Pascalis: The Collapse of Ambitious Plans
The sunny skies above Aiken greeted residents this morning with temperatures hitting a pleasant 83°F, perfect for enjoying the warmer October days. As people step outside, they might feel a hint of excitement in the air, as recent developments regarding the controversial Project Pascalis continue to unfold.
What Was Project Pascalis?
For those who may not be familiar, Project Pascalis was intended to be an impressive $75 million economic development initiative designed to transform the heart of downtown Aiken. This ambitious project planned to replace the old Hotel Aiken with a modern hotel, as well as build an apartment complex and a handy parking deck.
However, it was not smooth sailing for Project Pascalis. The Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC), led by then-Chairman Keith Wood and Vice Chairman Chris Verenes, voted in November 2021 to acquire the Hotel Aiken among other properties, aimed at making room for this exciting new development. Unfortunately, things began to unravel shortly after.
The Legal Battle
In July 2022, a lawsuit challenging the legality of the project was filed, leading to an ongoing legal tussle that even the most optimistic residents had not anticipated. Fast forward to now; the AMDC canceled the project in September 2022, yet the legal actions linger on.
Recently, Keith Wood and Chris Verenes took a significant step by filing a motion on October 18, appealing to the court for permission to speak freely about the project’s failure without the constraints of attorney-client privilege. Their legal counsel, Dwight Drake, noted that much of the information they hold could be tied up in discussions between lawyers and the development commission, yet they believe that privilege should not prevent them from providing valuable insights into what went wrong.
A Turn of Events
The commission decided to dissolve in 2023, but the impact of the ill-fated project remains relevant in local discussions. Many residents are curious about the events leading to its demise. Notably, a request for proposals (RFP) intended to seek developers for the project had a delayed publication that only raised eyebrows and sparked controversy.
According to Wood, had he known of the decision to delay the RFP, he wouldn’t have signed agreements with the development partners involved. Verenes echoed this sentiment, pointing out that a unilateral decision had been made that fundamentally altered the progression of the project.
The Mystery Behind the Decisions
Questions regarding who made key decisions, especially concerning the RFP’s publication and its timing, continue to cloud the project’s legacy. The Aiken Economic Development Director pulled the request on the day before meeting with key players in the project, sparking further investigation into the nature of those discussions.
Despite the cloudy past, Aiken remains hopeful. The city is currently on the lookout for a devoutly historically-minded developer to breathe new life into the Hotel Aiken and surrounding properties—plans much more in alignment with the town’s character.
Looking Ahead
As Aiken sees a bright and warm day ahead, residents are reminded that every cloud indeed has a silver lining. While Project Pascalis didn’t turn out as hoped, the determination to find solutions and nurture the area continues to be a unifying force for Aiken’s community. It’s a story still in the making, and who knows what the next chapter might bring?
The air is ripe with anticipation. With the sun shining and a sense of resilience, Aiken looks forward to exploring new opportunities for growth and revitalization—one step at a time.
