Project details

• The former Inclement Weather Center located at 191 Calhoun St. is being flipped into temporary housing units.
• 50 new single-unit Pallet sleeping cabins are currently being constructed alongside the already existing sleeping quarters, which will still be used for overflow.
• The project will cost ~$800,000, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act + allocated funds to manage the existing facility.
• Those living in the temporary housing pallets will have access to local professionals who plan to help individuals find permanent housing.
• The new shelter will have 24-hour security (with 29 cameras installed around the property) and the city is hiring several staff members to manage the new site.
• It will be an adult facility for ages 18+ within city limits.

Photo provided by City of Columbia.

Construction details

• There will be 54 pallet shelters in total.
• 50 of the pallets are 64 sqft units which will house one person each.
• Four units are 100 sqft and will be used for security, city staff, and operations.
• Each unit has air conditioning, heating, a fire extinguisher, outlets, and one bed.
  

Short term goals

Long term goals

• Dogs Night Out at Mast General Store | Fri., Oct. 28 | 5-7 p.m. | 1601 Main St., Columbia | Free | Customers are encouraged to bring their furry friends to the store for a costume contest, bobbing for dog toys, and more.
• Paint the Town Garnet and Black Block Party | Fri., Oct. 28 | 5-10 p.m. | Five Points, 731 Harden Street, Columbia | Free | Gamecocks of past, present and future are invited to Paint the Town Garnet + Black as we celebrate this year’s Homecoming with a Block Party and Pep Rally.
• Dracula: Ballet with a Bite | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sat., Oct. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Columbia | Dracula: Ballet with a Bite | Columbia City Ballet original production combines dramatic scenes and dance with the classic tale of Count Dracula, as told by the classic Bram.
• Fall Plant Sale | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sat., Oct. 29 | 8 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding Street, Columbia | Attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the living collections across all historic sites.
• Steel-o-Ween | Fri., Oct. 28 | 12-11 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman Street, Cayce | Costume contests, live music from Killer Beez, pumpkin carving voting, treats, and prizes (the top prize for the costume contest wins two VIP Tickets to Steel Hands’ 4 Year Anniversary party, Dec. 3).*

• Haunted Dinner | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St, Columbia | Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with wine and be prepared to scare and be scared all night.
• Spooky Saturday at the State Museum | Sat., Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St, Columbia | $7.00 - $9.00 | Halloween fun returns to the State Museum with spooky shows and more — Soda Citizens age 3-12 in costume get in free.
• USC Gamecocks Football vs. University of Missouri Tigers | Sat., Oct. 29 | 8 a.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium, 1174 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia | $70.00 - $130.00 | USC looks to extend their winning streak to five straight games against the team from the other Columbia.

• Disney Drag Brunch | Sun., Oct. 30 | 12-3:30 p.m. | The Capital Club, 1002 Gervais Street, Columbia | Drink specialty Disney-themed cocktails and witness performances by Elena DeVour, Kade, Vertigo, Houston Hangover, and Shawna Dontelle.
• SC Philharmonic • Halloween at Hogwarts | Sun., Oct. 30 | 3 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St, Columbia | Enter the wizarding world of Hogwarts in Columbia with Harry Potter-themed music and activities for the whole family.
• PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure | Sat., Oct. 29 - Sun., Oct. 30 | 11 a.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St, Columbia | $20.00 - $125.00 | Watch as your favorite pups go on a pirate adventure and save the day in Columbia.

• 69º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain 🌥️

• Columbia Green is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Marvin Heller Community Garden (2513 Gervais St.). The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 5 and feature raised beds, perennial plants, and interpretive educational signage around an ADA-compliant walkway. 🌱
• Home2 Suites by Hilton — an 88-room, pet-friendly hotel — hosted a grand opening yesterday in Blythewood (92 Creech Rd.). The property features studios, one-bedroom suites, a pool, 24-hour business centers + a gym. 🏨 (Columbia Biz Report)

• 20. The number of years Colonial Life Arena is celebrating next month. It opened its doors in 2002 for the USC Women’s Basketball season opener against Clemson and has since been a hub of entertainment in our state. See all the ways our community is celebrating, here. 🎉

• A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Thurs., Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. for the Lake Murray Destination Landmark at the Irmo Park side of the dam. Before leaving the site, the lights for the ~10-12 feet wide and 55-60 feet long landmark will be turned on for all to see. ✂️ (Lexington Chronicle)
• NoMa Warehouse is hosting VINTAGE CON: Time Warp on Nov. 5-6. Prepare to experience everything vintage and retro with a fashion show, a Q+A panel, and unique vintage curations.

• Head to Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) tomorrow for the Go Leo 5k + fundraiser. Enjoy music, trick-or-treating, face painting, games, food + drinks, and more. The 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the one-mile family walk at 8:35 a.m. 👟

• A New York Times Best Selling Author, Stephen Graham Jones, is coming to Cola. Known for his latest books, “The Only Good Indians” and “My Heart is a Chainsaw,” Stephen will be hosted by the Richland Library for a meet the author event from 7-9:30 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 4.. 📖

• Did you know we want to share your Black Friday deals with our COLAtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

• What do you do when you’re willing to donate your kidney to a loved one, but find out you’re not a match? Give your kidney to a perfect stranger, of course. That’s what two SC residents did, starting a live donor chain that changed four lives. Read the moving story.*

• For 60 years, The Blood Connection has been committed to supporting our community’s healthcare partners with a steady blood supply. To say “thank you” to the blood donors who make that mission possible, TBC is giving a $20 eGift card and a commemorative pin to all who donate now through Sun., Nov. 6. 🩸 *

• The days are getting shorter, but that doesn’t mean your mealtimes have to. Hampton Street Vineyard is extending its hours: Soda Citizen’s can now enjoy lunch or dinner any day of the week as well as brunch, lunch + dinner every weekend. 🍽️*

• If you constantly wake up with a stiff, sore neck, your pillow might be the problem. This pillow (designed specifically for side sleepers) can eliminate issues caused by stiff, flat pillows with three supportive angles, customizable firmness, and cooling technology. Code 6AM saves you 10%, plus buy-more, save-more discounts up to 40%. ☁️ *

• Known for: The Hootie and the Blowfish’s front man.
• Costume: Get decked out in Gamecock gear and hop in some cowboy boots.
• Pro tip — Snap a pic with the Hootie monument.

• Known for: Olympic champion, WNBA legend, and USC women’s basketball coach.
• Costume: Choose an era of Dawn Staley to dress as with a gold medal, a vintage Charlotte Sting jersey, or grab a clipboard + some glasses for a champion coach look.

• Known for: Before he blew up on Youtube, this Columbia-born skateboarder appeared in many skate videos around town.
• Costume: Drop by Bluetile skate shop in Five Points to pick up his custom board or merch for this costume.

• Known for: His most recent role in Fox’s “The Resident.”
• Costume: Grab a stethoscope + white lab coat to mimic this TV doctor.
• DYK — Hotel Trundle owner, Rita Patel, is Manish’s sibling?