Plus, which local businesses would you change your name for?
 
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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
 

Finlay Park Revitalization project updates

Local construction company awarded the construction bid for The Finlay Park Revitalization Project
Finlay Park
The updates to Finlay Park include a revitalized fountain, new walkways, and maybe your art. | Rendering from the City of Columbia via the design team, Stantec + LS3P.
Update at Finlay Park — during this week’s City Council meeting, Mashburn Construction Company, a local, full-service construction company, was awarded the construction bid.

You may recognize some of Mashburn’s work around Columbia, like its involvement in restoring or building:
  • The historic W.B. Whaley House
  • The Grand
  • The War Mouth
  • Hotel Trundle
  • Halls Chophouse
  • and more
Let’s back up — an ordinance authorizing the funding of the revitalization and construction of the 17.5-acre park was passed during a February City Council meeting, but plans to update Finlay Park have been in the works for quite a while.

A groundbreaking has not been announced, but construction is now expected to take approximately two years.

Finlay Park

Each number on the map represents a new feature or an existing amenity that will be updated. | Rendering via the City of Columbia

Updated funding

As outlined in the action item memo, the revitalization should not exceed $22,450,000 (with contingencies) and funding for the project will come from the below breakdown:
  • General Fund Balance: $2 million
  • Congaree Vista Fund Balance: $3 million
  • Hospitality Tax Fund Balance: $3.5 million
  • SC Parks, Recreation, Tourism (SCPRT): $1 million
  • Bond: $10.5 million
  • Hospitality Tax: $2.6 million
AMENITY SHELTER RENDERING

Amenity Shelter Rendering | Rendering from the City of Columbia via the design team, Stantec + LS3P.

Coming updates

The goal for the project hasn’t changed. The plan is to update existing amenities and increase accessibility, safety, and visibility so citizens are encouraged to partake in outdoor activities.

One of the biggest key features of the new park will be the renovated fountain that will flow into a new central pond. The new water feature will also incorporate sustainable techniques to treat stormwater.

Other amenities include:
  • Improved ADA circulation
  • Constructing new multi-use structures for events and park activation
  • Restrooms
  • Playgrounds
  • Enhanced lighting and parking
  • Public art
  • A plaza overlook
  • Preserving the Vista Greenway connection
Take time to read through the full 40-page master plan (last updated in November 2022) that includes more renderings, designs, and more at the button below.
40-page park plan
Columbia Fireflies
 
Events
Friday, Aug. 4
  • E.Z. Shakes, Numbtongue, Fortune Child | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 7:30-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | Columbia’s E.Z. Shakes is a band that explores spirituality and faith through songs that blend indie, country, and rock influences.
  • Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, Aug. 4 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Nashville Nights feature talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances on stage.
  • Summer Sidewalk Sale and Tax-Free Weekend | Friday, Aug. 4 | The Devine Street District | Free | Enjoy half off and BOGO specials on SC’s Tax-free weekend.
Saturday, Aug. 5
  • U-Pick Zinnia Flowers | Saturday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 6 | 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hollow Creek Tree Farm, 228 Windmill Rd., Gilbert | $18 | Walk the pond area or take a mini-hike around the whole 36-acre farm.
  • The Market at Icehouse | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 West Main St., Lexington | Free | Enjoy a farmer/grower and local artisan market that promotes, supports, and encourages local production, while educating citizens on the benefits of eating fresh produce.
  • Lexington County Blowfish Last Regular Season Home Game | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 7 p.m. | Lexington County Baseball Stadium, 474 Ball Park Rd., Lexington | $5 | Stick around for post-game fireworks.
Sunday, Aug. 6
  • Purple Heart Day Observation Ceremony | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 5-7 p.m. | Town of Blythewood, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | Free | This event is a tribute to service members who have received the Purple Heart.
  • Arrows in Action, Honey Revenge, Finish Ticket | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 6:30-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $20-$70 | Groove along with a swirling blend of angular indie-rock, ‘80s electric sheen, and saccharine alt-pop.
Plan your weekend
Click here to have your event featured.
Cause

A chance to support Black Philanthropy Month
Members of the Central Carolina Community Foundation and local nonprofits high-fiving.
Give 8/28 builds on the momentum created by Black Philanthropy Month with one concentrated day of giving for Black nonprofits. | Photo provided by Central Carolina Community Foundation
Did you know? Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is observed every August. The goal of this global celebration is to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity.

To support this effort, Central Carolina Community Foundation and its African American Philanthropy Committee are awarding up to $12,000 in prizes to eligible Black-led and Black-benefiting nonprofits.

Donors can use the Midlands Gives year-round platform to contribute to 160+ local nonprofits to support BPM and Give 8/28 (which builds on the momentum of BPM with one concentrated day of giving).
Join the celebration by giving
News Notes
Real Estate
  • A 14-acre site with 1,100 sqft of lake frontage on Lake Murray has been listed for $9.5 million. It was once owned by U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence and is considered one of the last + largest water tracts remaining on Lake Murray. (The State)
Development
  • Speaking of Lake Murray, construction has started on the Lake Murray dam after inspectors identified damage on a sheet pile wall + concrete gutter. Dominion Energy reported no immediate concerns for dam safety but has barricaded a section of the dam walkway for repairs. (The State)
Health
  • Lexington Medical Center has been named the best hospital in the Columbia Metro area for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report. It is the only Midlands hospital ranked regionally + was also recognized as the second-best hospital in SC, reflecting its commitment to advanced medicine and quality health services.
Try This
  • The Richland Library now offers new lawn care items in the Library of Things collection. Check out an electric dethatcher/scarifier and mini broadcast spreader, along with its existing garden tools. See what else you can check out besides books.
Sports
  • The 2023 SC Women’s Open will take place Thursday, Aug. 10-Sunday, Aug. 13, at Cobblestone Park Golf Club. More than 30 Senior LPGA Tour players of The Women’s South Carolina Golf Association (WSCGA) — the largest nonprofit women’s golf association in SC — will be competing. The event includes a Pro-Am + various tournaments.
Community
  • Let’s showcase some pride in place by voting in Southern Living Magazine’s 2024 “The South’s Best.” Several Columbia businesses + the city itself are listed under several categories like “Best City on the Rise,” “Best Barbecue Joint,” and “Best New Hotel.”
Biz
Job
  • We’re hiring a Branded Copywriter. This team member will directly support the strategy, creation, and placement of branded content campaigns for 6AM City’s clients, including creating dynamic content (including written articles and social) within the 6AM tone and style. Learn more + apply.
 
Lifestyle

Would you change your name?

Would you change your name for a lifetime of free food, drinks, or tickets?
smallSUGAR
Order a smallSUAGR breakfast with an iced vanilla latte. | Photo by COLAtoday team
City Editor Sam here. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you may have seen that Subway is offering its biggest superfan a lifetime of free subs if they legally change their name to “Subway.”

It got us thinking — which local spots would we change our names for if that meant we would receive a lifetime supply of free food, drinks, or tickets?

You can just call City Editor David Drip from now on. He’d give up his first name if it meant he could order a nitro cold brew or the curry hummus wrap for free for the rest of his life.

You can refer to me as City Editor smallSUAGR from here on out. I just can’t pass up daily delectable pastries + vanilla lattes. Better yet, I’d gladly change my name to Malfunction Junction or Elmwood if it meant I never had to sit in traffic again.

Is there a local business you’d change your name for if it meant you’d get a lifetime supply of something? Let us know which spot you’d consider a name change for at the button below.
Let us know
 
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The Wrap
 
Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
smallSUGAR
From the editor
Fun Fact: Reader Sheila S. reached out to us after our go-to fishing guide + let us know that “another aspect of fishing is bank fishing, which can be done along the entire Three Rivers Greenway. This gives those without boats a great opportunity to enjoy fishing along the banks of our rivers. It is also free!”

Thanks for always adding to our conversations and our inbox is always open.
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