Clifton petitions for Fry Street City Park

By Shea Yarborough / Senior Staff Writer –

Balloons and signs adorned the corner of Fry and Hickory streets Friday afternoon in support of the Fry Street City Park Petition.

The petition calls for the city to obtain the property bordered by Hickory, Oak, Fry and Welch streets and turn it into a city park, said mayoral candidate Bob Clifton.

“The petition began in February because the proposals that have been made so far are not acceptable,” Clifton said.

Mayoral candidate Bob Clifton has gathered more than 500 signatures in support of the Fry Street City Park Petition. (Photo by Josh Pherigo / Views Editor)

More than 500 signatures have been collected.

Controversy has surrounded the block as residents and developing firms have gone head-to-head over plans for the 4.5 acres of underdeveloped land, Clifton said. A similar battle ensued three years ago when United Equity Group bought and leveled the land and the businesses that were on it, he said.

Back then, Clifton said, “the kids” didn’t want to listen to him, but he said he knew what was going to happen if the United Equities Group bought the land.

“You don’t live as long as I have by being stupid,” he said.

Now, things are different, Clifton said. People are listening, he added, possibly with the backlash of flourishing Fry Street businesses being crushed still fresh on their minds.

Mike Cochran, founder of Save Fry Street and a former City Council member, doesn’t like the idea of a city park.

But he and Clifton are friends, and in this economic climate, the city can’t pass up the money that would come from the businesses by letting the land become a city park, he said.

“It would be difficult for the city to have the luxury of buying that valuable property,” he said.

Clifton said the city doesn’t necessarily have to pay for the land. He said there are several ways the city could obtain the property, including imminent domain.

He guessed the property is worth millions, but said he wasn’t sure of the exact amount.

Cochran, who was not in favor of United Equity Group’s proposal, said the current developers, the Dinerstein Companies, have done a wonderful job planning living, parking and commercial buildings.

“Dinerstein has been sensitive to the needs of the community,” he said.

Clifton said that Dinerstein’s proposed street level shopping plan is not going to cut it with the city and that, if given the chance, the company won’t go through with it.

“Well, that’s what they’re saying, but that ain’t gonna fly,” he said. “They’ll have to get a variance on the height, and I doubt the city is going to give it to them.”

Given the numerous bars and shops that already line Hickory and Fry streets, some businesses think that more retail would be welcome, including Mike Stockdale, manager of Cool Beans Bar.

“It was retail before,” he said. “I’d like to see it be retail again to give back to the community.”

Too much stuff in too little space is the concern that Clifton and other petitioners have about the Fry Street block, saying “we need some space over here.”

“It’s not about Dinerstein coming in. It’s about anyone coming in,” Clifton said. “The entire block needs to be obtained.”