• 8.5 million sqft of mixed-use development
• 8,700 jobs
• ~$17.7 million annual tax revenue for Richland County + City of Columbia’s schools.

Phase one entailed:

• Converting Greene Street to a three-lane roadway with sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes from Assembly to Gadsden streets. Phase one was completed in 2017.

Phase two entailed:

• Converting Greene Street into a two-lane roadway
• Adding a three-lane curb
• Adding a gutter roadway with sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes from Huger to Gadsden streets.
• Adding a bridge at the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad crossing to reconnect Greene Street where the road had previously stopped.

Phase three aims:

• To extend Williams Street from Blossom to Senate streets
• Extend Greene Street to Williams Street
• Provide connectivity to a proposed waterfront park on the Congaree River.

• The NoMa Flea | Friday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St, Columbia | Free | The Friday market features vintage curators, candle makers, fine artists, herbal healers, fashion designers, local jewelers, and expert collectors with beverages + foods available.
• A Christmas Story: The Musical | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Town Theatre, 1012 Sumter St., Columbia | $15-$25 | Don’t miss this nostalgic show that follows the holiday adventures of Ralphie, who knows exactly what he wants for Christmas and will do whatever he can to get it.*
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 4D | Friday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Jan. 1 | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $11.95-$13.95 | The classic animation shines in an all-new, interactive 4-D Experience® (think: chilling air blasts, snow + more) at the South Carolina State Museum for the holidays.

• Half-Price Holiday Fun at the South Carolina State Museum | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $3.50 | Enjoy the Museum’s holiday offerings, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D,” planetarium experiences, and Santa meet-and-greet, for 50% off kids’ general admission tickets on Saturdays.
• Santa’s Swingin’ Christmas Party | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Marionette Theatre, 401 Laurel St., Columbia | Join Tinkle and Winkle, two of Santa’s elves, as they plan a party at the North Pole while he is delivering presents around the world.
• Santa Saturdays at the State Museum | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $6.95-$8.95 | Santa will be at the museum to meet with guests and members so you can take holiday photos.
• NOMA Cookie Crawl | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 3-6 p.m. | Columbia | $20-$30 | You will receive a professionally designed cookie tin and crawl to nine locations to pick up freshly baked holiday cookies from the district’s talented bakeries and merchants.
• Holiday Parade of Lights | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 5:30 p.m. | Cayce | This beloved night-time parade is hosted by the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

• University of South Carolina Gamecocks Men’s Basketball vs. Presbyterian Blue Hose Men’s Basketball | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 6 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St, Columbia | $10-$45 | Root for the Gamecocks as they play at home in Colonial Life Arena.

• 58º | Scattered showers | 50% chance of rain

• Molto Vino — a local wine bar — is hoping to open another location a 102 W. Main St., Lexington If that address looks familiar, this was the same location Navy Yard on Main planned to be in downtown Lexington. An opening date has not been set. (The Post and Courier)

• Enjoy live entertainment, a tree lighting, shopping, and more at Light Up NOMA 2022 happening this Saturday 3-6 p.m. Light Up NOMA kicks off the holiday season with merchants opening their doors, a cookie crawl, and Santa Claus. Light Up NOMA is a free event but the NOMA Cookie Crawl is $20. 🎄

• Mayor Rickennman recaps the season on the “Around Town with @Colamayor” podcast with a “2022 Around Town Wrap-Up” episode where he reflects on the conversations he’s had with Columbia’s best-known leaders and shared the city’s best-kept secrets. 🎧

• Columbia International University’s men’s soccer team brought home a championship. The Ram’s took home the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) DI Men’s National Championship for the first time in program history. Way to go, Rams. 🐏 (Cola Daily)
• When the Gamecocks win, we all win — no really. The Post Courier looked into how local restaurants are impacted when USC’s football team wins and how fans like to celebrate. Take a look. 💸 (The Post and Courier)

• Calling all yogis. Sakhi Yoga School is currently the only Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program in Columbia. The next 200-hour YTT will begin in February 2023 and will be limited to 12 students. Find everything you need to know about the program here. 🧘‍♀️

• Drum roll, please. This week, Nephron Pharmaceuticals held an eagerly-anticipated grand opening ceremony for its Nephron Nitrile glove-making facility. Born out of a recognized need for US-made personal protective equipment due to pandemic-related supply chain + pricing issues, the facility will soon produce 2.5 billion gloves per year and employ 250 people. 🧤*

• Open enrollment for individual and family health insurance is now. Enrollment events are happening this week at Insurance Advantage at 511 Meeting St. in West Columbia Fri., Dec. 9 from 12 p.m.-7 p.m., and Simplesurance at 4326 Ft. Jackson Blvd. in Columbia on Sat., Dec. 10 from 10 p.m.-5 p.m.*

• PSA Columbia: For the rest of 2022, tax credits of up to 30% are available on qualified energy efficiency improvements (think: upgrading or switching to ENERGY STAR® certified home heating + cooling products). The credits are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is lowering energy costs and tackling climate change across the US. Pro tip: Get help and advice from Cool Care Heating + Air to begin your next project. *

• Need a change of scenery (maybe with a stunning Christmas tree and iconic ice skating rink)? Explore the Big Apple this holiday season by booking a nonstop flight out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to New York City. Start planning your trip. 🛫*

• Wanna gift outside the box this year? Opt for an experiential gift from Uncommon Goods. From monthly gift subscriptions (like this Game of the Month Subscription) to hands-on classes taught by expert instructors (like a Raindrop Cake Class or Paint Your Pet Class), there’s something for everyone on your list.*

• A 15,000-sqft, two-story office building
• A 37,500-sqft warehouse with a loading dock
• A 10,000-sqft warehouse and office with additional parking
• 3,750-sqft of storage
• A new perimeter road
• Over 10-acres of laydown yard