President Andrew Sorensen, who was joined by representatives from the neighborhood association, the NAC, and the City of Columbia, said he was pleased that the USC Development Foundation and the involved parties had been able to strike an agreement, which is based on the university's Bicentennial Master Plan and addresses historic preservation, traffic, and parking along Pendleton Street.

"I am delighted that we have reached this agreement with the University Neighborhood Association and the National Advocacy Center," Sorensen said. "It is a win-win situation for all parties involved and is a testament to everyone's commitment to see this partnership come to fruition. It will create much-needed lodging for the National Advocacy Center and for university visitors, as well as protect and restore the historical and environmental integrity of one of Columbia's finest and most gracious intown neighborhoods."

Sorensen, who has lived in the neighborhood for the past year while the President's House on campus is being restored, said the agreement is intended to achieve several objectives, including the following:

• Restoration of the Kirkland Apartments, the Black House, and the wood frame cottage at Pendleton and Henderson streets;
  
• An inn, on land owned by USC's Development Foundation, that will serve as lodging for visitors to the National Advocacy Center and the university;
  
• Reduction of traffic by eliminating parking lots on Pendleton Street and redirecting traffic from the existing parking garage at Senate Street onto Pickens Street;
  
• Strengthening of the residential nature of the neighborhood by returning three parcels of property on Pendleton Street to the private sector;
  
• Collaboration between the university and the neighborhood on university-owned land across from the Moore School of Business and the Women's Club property on Blossom Street.
  
  

Mike Bailie, director of the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Legal Education, which is housed at the NAC, said the agreement is "a real success story."

"This is a perfect example of what state, local, and federal government can accomplish when they work together," Bailie said.

John Stucker, president of the University Neighborhood Association, said, "The university neighborhood has long recognized the value of the university to our community. With this agreement, USC is reinforcing their belief that our neighborhood is vital to the well-being of the university and our great Capital City."

The agreement will be presented to Columbia City Council for their approval. All final plans resulting from the agreement must be approved by the City of Columbia Planning Commission and the city's Design/Development Review Commission.

07/03