09.25.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

🏗 WeCo has been busy

West Columbia is seeing development growth: 6 projects to look forward to

Big things are in the works for West Columbia. | Photo by COLAtoday

In last week’s West Columbia City Council meeting, an announcement was made about a new hotel that is to be built along Sunset Boulevard. The new building will be a Tru by Hilton on one side and a Home2 Suites on the other.

According to the same article by West Metro News, Infrastructure improvements are also in the works, with plans to install a new water + sewer line moving toward I-20.

Let’s recap some West Cola development news that’s in the works or will soon be wrapping up.

Transformation on Meeting Street + US-1 Corridor

Earlier this month, West Columbia announced a major transformation + initiative, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and SCDOT, to enhance the area’s visual appeal and improve access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The project is set to begin bidding early next year and plans to include:

On-street parking
Dedicated turn lanes
Pedestrian crosswalks
Shared-use paths
Stamped crosswalks + mast arm traffic signals for pedestrian safety
Concrete + landscaped medians

New pedestrian bridge

Last week, we shared about a new pedestrian bridge coming near the Botanical Gardens entrance to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens on Mohawk Drive.

The new development project aims to enhance recreational opportunities by improving access to the Saluda River. Efforts are underway to establish an official project address and amenities include:

River access
Additional parking
Restrooms
ADA-accessible infrastructure

Langley Pointe

Back in December, we shared news about Langley Pointe, a new $60 million mixed-use development with Class-A housing and commercial development project coming to a 37.87-acre property along Sunset Boulevard.

The development at Langley Pointe is ongoing and will be a luxury, multifamily gated, community apartment.

2 more development projects

Asked

What are your thoughts about recent development projects around our city?

Sometimes new development means increased pedestrian safety and access to our rivers, and other times it means more traffic. We want you to join in on the conversation. New development — yay, nay, or just okay?

Join the conversation

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 26

$5 Breakfast for Better Breakfast Day | Tuesday, Sept. 26 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Flying Biscuit Café, 936 Harden St., Columbia | Price of purchase | In honor of National Breakfast Month + Better Breakfast Day, Flying Biscuit Café will offer their classic bacon and eggs breakfast for just $5, all day long.
Smoked Oyster Series | Tuesday, Sept. 26 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Smoked, 1643 Main St., Columbia | $60 | Learn to appreciate oysters like a fine wine by discovering the nuance of flavor by the climate of origin, taste, texture, and salinity.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale | Thursday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | Irmo Branch Library, 6251 St Andrews Rd., Columbia | Price of purchase | Most books are priced from 50 cents to $2, and you can save even more by purchasing a bag to fill at a fixed price.
Historic Columbia’s Fall Plant Sale | Thursday, Sept. 28-Saturday, Sept. 30 | Times vary | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Price of purchase | Attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all of Cola’s historic sites.
Moon Taxi With The Stews | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $27 | Groove along with Moon Taxi + The Stews on Friday at The Senate.

Friday, Sept. 29

Lexington Medical Center’s Irmo Okra Strut Festival | Friday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Sept. 30 | 6-10 p.m. | Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Dr., Irmo | Entry to the festival is free but individual fees apply for rides, amusements, food, and drinks.

Saturday, Sept. 30

10th Annual FORE-SCHOLARSHIPS GOLF INVITATIONAL | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | $70-$1,000 | Linrick Golf Course, 356 Camp Ground Rd., Columbia | Enjoy a day of golf, food, fun, and networking while supporting scholarship funds.
Oktoberfest at Savage Craft | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works, 430 Center St., West Columbia | Free | Celebrate Oktoberfest with all-day music, German beer releases and food menu, prizes, face painting + more.

Sunday, Oct. 1

JerryFest 2023 | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. | Five Points on Saluda Avenue, 747 Saluda Ave., Columbia | Multiple bands will be performing Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead music, along with the addition this year of some other jam-band favorites.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Real Estate

Development

Be the Broker: What should move into the old Nonnah’s space in The Vista?

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

The outside of Trinity Partner's available space in downtown Columbia, SC.

What should call this historic 12,170 total sqft. building home? | Photo provided by Trinity Partners

Pour that cup of coffee and get those thinking caps ready — it’s time to Be the Broker and let us know what new development you want to see in downtown Columbia.

Remember Nonnah’s? The incredible cakes, the delightful coffee, and that prime location. Now, that space at 925 Gervais St. is up for lease with Trinity Partners.

In the heart of The Vista, (right between Whit-Ash Furnishings and 929 Kitchen & Bar on Gervais Street), the space features:

Retail space on the first floor
Office space on the second floor
Parking lot (±0.5 acre) with 63 spots
Walkable distance to the State House, USC’s campus, and tons of popular restaurants + shops

So, who do you think should move in?

Maybe a hot new restaurant, trendy shopping space, or anything your heart desires. Head to our Instagram to let us know in the comments.

Take a look inside the space

News Notes

Edu

MUSC, USC, and Clemson will use $10 million in state funding to create a collaborative center for Alzheimer’s research. The goal is to obtain federal recognition as an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, enhancing clinical care and patient resources. (The Post and Courier)

Percent

1.77%. That’s the population increase SC experienced in 2022, reaching a total population of 5,282,634. Horry County saw the most significant growth at 4.79%, and Richland County saw a 0.78% population change from 2021 to 2022, increasing from 418,307 to 421,566. (The State)

Sports

The No. 8 USC Equestrian kicked off the 2023-24 season on Friday. The Gamecocks had a successful season last year by finishing ranked No. 7 nationally and making it to the NCEA Championships. They also defeated several top-10-ranked teams and hosted the 2023 SEC Championships.

Arts

West Columbia’s latest 37 ft mural, funded by Estates & Companies, pays homage to the city’s history and future. It features iconic landmarks and historical nods, a collaborative work of artists Brian Tull and Steve Thomas. Get the full story. (The Post and Courier)

Regional

Latitude Corp, a precision metal manufacturer, is investing $29 million to establish its first SC facility in Clarendon County. The company is purchasing a 50,000-sqft facility to manufacture large metal components. This expansion will create 200 new jobs, with operations set to begin by June 2024.

Transit

Beginning today, The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (COMET) will reinstate Route 47 as a fixed route, serving Eastover, Hopkins and Gadsden. The service will operate Monday to Friday with a two-hour frequency and limited Saturday service. (Wach Fox)

Travel

Celebrate the holiday season at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, where sunshine and splendor mingle with decked halls and salt-kissed air. Festivities delight guests of all ages, from Santa’s island arrival and unveiling of a chocolate masterpiece to a tree-lighting ceremony and award-winning Lowcountry holiday feasts. Learn more or call (855) 421-0018.*

Drink

This brand believed there was a way to take water and make it a little more perfect by infusing it with fruit essences (but none of the gross diet sweeteners, calories, or sugar). And the fruit flavors really taste like fruit. Groundbreaking. Plus, new customers get 36 bottles for $36 + free shipping.*

Soda Citizen

City

Introducing the new “Joe E. Taylor, Jr. Way” sign

The new “Joe E. Taylor, Jr. Way” signage aims to honor the late Joe Taylor. | Photo provided by City of Columbia

To honor the late Joe Taylor — a former councilman of Columbia — the cities of West Columbia and Columbia, along with state and local leaders, revealed “Joe E. Taylor, Jr. Way” at an event held at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater last week.

Senator Nikki Setzler, Representative Micah Caskey, City of West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles, and City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann all spoke about Joe Taylor’s commitment to his cities, family, and career.

Mayor Rickenmann wrote in an Instagram caption: “Today, we dedicated the Gervais Street bridge to Joe Taylor. As a councilman, community leader, and friend, Joe did so much for our community and our state. Every day, I continue to hear about things he did for us that we didn’t even know he did.”

“Though he’s no longer with us, he will always be remembered. Joe cared so deeply about Columbia and I, along with Rep. Caskey, Mayor Miles, and Senator Setzler, am grateful to honor him and his legacy through this small gesture.”

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
EDITOR’S NAME HERE

From the editor

USC’s Band performed a New York-themed halftime show during the USC vs. Mississippi State football game to celebrate their invitation to the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The show featured drill formations, including the “I Love NY” slogan and the Empire State Building, along with iconic New York songs.

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