The Blood Connection

Introducing Gills Creek Memorial Park 🌳

Introducing Gills Creek Memorial Park coming to Columbia, SC
Waterfront park in Forest Acres
New waterfront park in Forest Acres | Renderings via Kenneth B. Simmons Associates and City of Forest Acres
The City of Forest Acres revealed yesterday that its newest city park — originally announced in 2021 — has a name. Meet Gills Creek Memorial Park, named in honor of the city’s urban waterways and officers.

The park will house a new memorial to honor two Forest Acres police officers in particular — Greg Alia, who died while on duty in 2015, and Richey Finch, a patrolman who died during a traffic stop in 1974. The memorial’s rock, which will sit in the far right corner of the park, was handpicked by Officer Greg Alia’s widow, Kassy Ray Alia, and Chief Don Robinson.

Along with the memorial, we’re sharing a few updates (and giving you a refresher) on what you can expect from this new half-acre waterfront park that’s expected to open later this fall or winter.
Gills Creek Memorial Park rendering 1

Gills Creek Memorial Park rendering

Renderings via Kenneth B. Simmons Associates and City of Forest Acres

When the City of Forest Acres originally announced the park in 2021, it was estimated to cost ~$1 million. Altogether, the park will cost around $3 million (~$1.6 million for the park + another ~$1.3 million or so to redo the bridge that was damaged in the 2015 flood.) SCDOT funds are paying for the bridge and ARPA funds will pay for the new park buildout.

The City hopes the park will provide an urban green space for community events (think — a local “town square” ). It will be located across from Trenholm Plaza and offer waterfront views along Gills Creek on Forest Lake Place Drive.
Evening - Lawn + Food Truck

Green space and food truck area

Renderings via Kenneth B. Simmons Associates and City of Forest Acres

Visitors will be able to experience:
  • An event lawn
  • A small performance stage
  • An overlook deck on the creek to view the spillway of Forest Lake
  • A splash pad
  • Space for food trucks
  • A memorial for Forest Acres Police Officers
The City of Forest Acres released a statement saying construction will be loud as structural supports for the new bridge are installed. The bridge construction is expected to last three weeks and the (what they call) “temporary pain” will result in a new bridge accessing the new park that will overlook Gills Creek.
Lexington Medical Center

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Thursday, Jan. 12
  • Partner Engagement: Smoked | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | 1643 Main St., Columbia | Free | Join Smoked for an evening of fun and networking.
Friday, Jan. 13
  • The NoMa Flea | Friday, Jan. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The Market features eight anchor vendors and at least 10 rotating, pop-up vendors each week.
  • Columbia Home Building & Remodeling Expo | Friday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Jan. 15 | Columbia Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia | $3 | Professionals will be on-hand to share their valuable knowledge to bring your ideas to life or inspire you with new ones.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Sunday, Jan. 15
  • Nate Bargatze • The Be Funny Tour | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $37.75-$67.75 | Laugh the night away with the 2021 Grammy-nominated comedian and podcaster, Nate Bargatze.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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6AM City In-house

3 restaurants worth checking out during Restaurant Week

3 restaurants worth checking out during Restaurant Week
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Main Street Restaurant Week
Bourbon is known for locally-sourced dishes and bourbon-centric cocktails. | Photo from @bourboncolumbia
Hey COLA foodies. The (second) most wonderful time of year kicks off today. Restaurant Week, happening Thursday, Jan. 12-Sunday, Jan. 22, gives residents the chance to experience some of the capital city’s best restaurants. From fine dining to casual eats, participating restaurants are offering new menu items, fan favorites, and specially curated multi-course menus.

Looking for a central location to tend to your taste buds? Enter: Main Street District. The downtown centerpiece is home to an array of culinary experiences, including these three that are worth checking out during Restaurant Week 2023:
  • Bourbon: With a menu full of Cajun flair and an assortment of crafted cocktails, it’s the perfect place for a night out.
  • Hampton Street Vineyard: This farm-to-table restaurant offers a variety of french-inspired dishes and an extensive fine wine list. Think: Feel those date night vibes.
  • Halls Chophouse: Celebrate your special occasion (or find something to celebrate) with dinner at this elevated, classic American steakhouse.*
MORE MAIN STREET DINING DESTINATIONS

Weather
  • 72º | Scattered showers | 50% chance of rain 🌦️
Number
  • $1.15 billion+. That’s how much of an impact the South Carolina Research Authority had on SC’s economy in 2022 — supporting 5,608 SC-based jobs. Local startups that were awarded a portion of the $4.75 million total in SCRA grants and investments include COLAtoday’s parent company, 6AM City.
  • $100 million. That’s the amount Lumos, a telecommunications company, is investing to bring high-speed fiber optic internet service to Columbia. It will be installing ~1,200 miles of fiber optic technology throughout the area and the project will begin sometime this year. 📶 (Columbia Biz Report)
Sports
  • USC’s men’s basketball team defeated Kentucky 71-68 at Rupp Arena for the first time since 2009. This is coach Lamont Paris’ first SEC victory as head coach and this win stopped Kentucky’s 28-game home winning streak. 🏀 (Gamecocks Online)
Community
  • West Columbia has a new city sign. Riggs Partners, West Columbia’s City Council, and residents gathered for the unveiling of West Columbia’s newly refurbished sign that now lights up. Take a peek for yourself while driving down Meeting Street. 💡
Soda Citizen
Try This
  • Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reaches its closest point to the sun today, Jan. 12. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon, or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. ☄️ (Space.com)
Feel Good
  • Welcome, Lexington Medical Center’s New Year’s Baby: Little Javon was born on Jan. 1 at 2:34 a.m. Javon was the first of 3,300+ babies the hospital expects to deliver this year. Congratulations, Aleah and Javon. 🎈*
Wellness
  • Oh hey, January. The key to keeping your spirits up and avoiding seasonal affective disorder this time of year? Sunlight. Magic up more sunshine indoors with a light therapy lamp. This glare-free mood light is height and angle adjustable, while this subtly designed lamp lets you adjust light warmth and brightness. ☀️*
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Ivy House is opening a second location

Ivy House is opening another location in Columbia, SC
Ivy House expansion colatoday
Renderings of the new Ivy House coming to Augusta Road. | Renderings via Ivy House
Ivy House — a 70+ vendor antiques mall located at 10511 Two Notch Rd. in Elgin. — is expanding after looking for another location for seven years.

The second location will be located halfway between Lexington and West Columbia at the former Sherwood’s Furniture Barn (4211 Augusta Rd.) The Ivy House is hoping to open the next location sometime between the end of February and March.

Between both buildings, the antique mall will have ~15,000 sqft of space to house thousands of antique, vintage, and re-purposed goods along with local art, gifts, jewelry, clothing, and more.

Renovations are currently underway and visitors can soon expect:
  • A new parking lot
  • New lighting
  • New HVAC systems
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sam.

Editor’s pick: As a West Columbia resident myself, I absolutely love the new sign. Want a local’s recommendation? Drive past the new sign and visit WeCo Bottle and Biergarten (626 Meeting St.) this week to celebrate the sign’s unveiling.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Preview Columbia’s Restaurant Week, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

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