College Park climbing wall battle resolved
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A popular recreation center climbing wall that became a lightning rod in College Park politics will stay put.
Why it matters: The climbing wall storyline felt as if it was ripped straight from a "Parks and Recreation" script and highlighted the poor relationship among elected officials governing the small city sitting next door to the world's busiest airport.
Catch up quick: Council member Tracie Arnold, the driving force on council behind the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex climbing wall's removal, said staff had concerns about safety and utilization. In May, Council members tasked the city manager with investigating the wall and, if needed, finding the wall another home.
- The only problem: No other rec center in College Park could accommodate the specially designed structure. Kai Lightner, a professional rock climber who grew up in the community, helped raise money for the wall.
- Families and supporters — and Lightner himself — said removing the $100,000 wall would be one less experience for College Park kids and make other nonprofits and donors think twice before giving to the city.
The latest: At Friday night's marathon City Council meeting, Councilmember Roderick Gay and Jamelle McKenzie voted to keep the wall in place after the issue became too "political," the AJC reports. Arnold voted no.
State of play: The tabling of the wall will do little to soften the craggy conditions among the city's leaders and residents.
Context: College Park City Hall is really going through it at the moment.
- For one, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom is suing her council colleagues over their ordinance that prohibits her from speaking about city issues prior to a vote. A federal judge recently denied a request for an injunction by Broom, the city's first Black and woman mayor.
- Then there's the controversial rezoning to attract a battery storage plant, council members' objection to livestreaming budget meetings, and a resident-led recall effort.
- Council meetings are so dysfunctional that the deputy city clerk made a special point to remind officials about cross-talking. At a recent meeting, the now former city clerk marched out and used an expletive after a city council member said she withheld records.
Follow the money: College Park is a small city (roughly 14,000 people) with an outsized budget ($171 million this past year) thanks to the portion of rental car and hotel and motel tax and business license fees it collects related to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, plus several enterprise funds.
The big picture: At Friday's meeting, McKenzie expressed the need for the legislative body to find a consultant who can help the elected officials resolve their issues.
What's next: The Council and mayor are scheduled to approve College Park's $196 million budget on June 17.
- Judging from the Friday public hearing about the spending plan, there's a battle brewing over a dog park, public safety funding and an intergovernmental affairs position on the chopping block.