Jackson businessman and Columbia commercial property owner Bobby Buchanan signed over the deed to the former Reichhold Chemical property Monday to the city.
Aldermen had voted to accept donation of the 81 acres last week.
Buchanan said he bought the land about 10 years ago in anticipation of selling the right of way for a proposed connector road between Eagle Day Avenue and Lumberton Road. When that project never came to fruition, Buchanan said he decided to give it to the city.
“I hope they’ll consider putting the sportsplex there, but that’s not my decision,” he said.
Aldermen mulling where to build a youth sports facility funded by the 3% tourism tax passed earlier this year, with other properties under consideration including city-owned land on R.A. Johnson Drive and county-owned property at the Marion County Businessplex (former Columbia Training School).
Buchanan signed the papers during a brief ceremony at City Hall with Mayor Justin McKenzie, City Attorney Lawrence Hahn, Buchanan’s son, Niles, and his classmate and fellow member of the 1953-1954 Columbia High tennis team, Dot Fortenberry.
The land was originally developed as the J.J. White Lumber Mill, playing a crucial role in the growth of Columbia in the early 20th century. Buchanan said his great-grandfather came over from McComb to work there, fixing a door for future Gov. Hugh White that others weren’t able to repair. He said he hopes a historical marker will be erected on the site noting the mill’s past.
The land was owned by Columbia Tree Farm LLC, a name Buchanan said he selected when there was some controversy about him buying the property and he didn’t figure anyone would object to a tree farm. Hahn said he’s going to start referring to the land as the former Columbia Tree Farm property rather than Reichhold.
When owned by Reichhold, the land was the site of a 1977 chemical explosion that later resulted in decades of cleanup after pollution was found in the city’s water. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has cleared the property for redevelopment.
City officials have said they’re not sure yet what plans they have for the land.
