In the days that followed Saturday’s weather disaster — torrential rains that pushed the Tombigbee River to its highest level in almost three decades and a devastating EF-3 tornado — old criticisms have emerged over the decision to build the Riverwalk, the Terry Brown Amphitheater and the Columbus Soccer Complex in a flood plain.
While portions of the yet-to-be-completed amphitheater were already flooded Friday before Saturday’s heaviest rainfall — the standing room area close to the stage was already flooded — we do not believe it’s fair to call its location a mistake. It’s likely that the flooding of the standing room area can be easily remedied and there may other changes that can be made now that we have seen exactly what happens during a major flood.
Nor do we believe building the soccer complex at its location along Moore’s creek in an area known as Burns Bottom was a mistake, either.
Those who still question those decisions point, with something akin to a perverse pleasure, to the flooded facilities. The amphitheater stage, 17 feet above the river’s normal water level, was consumed by the flood waters while the area that includes soccer complex was inundated as far as Third Street North. The Riverwalk, obviously, was quickly submerged as the river began to escape its banks.
To what extent building the soccer complex at Burns Bottom was a gamble, it’s proven to be a good bet. Since the soccer complex opened in 2015, flooding has been minimal, limited to the back of the complex nearest Moore’s Creek.
Even so, city and county officials early in planning recognized the potential for flooding at all three venues and took steps to mitigate the damage.
Lights along the Riverwalk and near the soccer complex receive electricity from underground cables covered with waterproof sheathing. All complex electricity controls at both sites were placed in boxes well above the flood waters. The new concessions stands built on the north side of the soccer complex were built to resist flooding and strong winds with stainless steel and brick. The electrical panels at the amphitheater were placed 23 feet above normal river level and it appears some of those panels have been exposed to the flooding. The cost to replace those panels, if they are indeed damaged, is just $5,000 each, according to city engineer Kevin Stafford.
All of those measures showed foresight. As a result, the damage caused by the flooding will be relatively minimal.
Those critical of the decisions to build the soccer complex and the amphitheater at their present locations adjacent to the Riverwalk fail to consider the benefits of having all three facilities built in close proximity. They complement each other. Together, they provide a multi-use complex that appeals to a broad range of activities.
Saturday’s flood should not be considered a “gotcha” moment.
Even in the aftermath of this rare disaster, the strategic benefits of this location for these facilities far outweigh the costs.
Rehashing old criticisms is a needless distraction at this point. Our time and energy is of far better use when it is devoted to the important work of recovery.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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