Bonus: Some parking spaces in the new parking deck may be open to the public on specific days + times. | Rendering via Core Spaces and Dwell Design Studio, submitted to the City of Columbia.
Columbia’s skyline may soon see its tallest addition in nearly 40 years. Developer Core Spaces is planning new 26 and 22-story towers, reaching ~300 ft tall, for the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington, and Assembly streets.
For context, it’s in the parking lot near the “Hope” sign and the large Ija Charles mural. The project is set to cost $225 million + feature:
Two high-rise buildings — one set to be 26 stories tall for market-rate apartments and the other 22 stories tall for university student dormitory units
700+ apartments
2,000+ beds
Retail space
Streetscape upgrades
A large parking deck (think: ~1,400 spaces)
The city’s zoning board approved the proposal at the beginning of May. The next step is for the Columbia’s Design/Development Review Commission to vote on the building’s design and appearance during Thursday’s meeting.
Asked
Asked
What’s your take on the scale, design, and location?
A. I like it. B. I don’t like it. C. I’m indifferent about it. D. I like parts of it.
Hard Hat Tour | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Join CMA Executive Director Della Watkins on a behind-the-scenes tour of your museum’s current gallery lighting renovation project.
Forest Acres Farmers Market | Wednesday, May 14, Wednesday, May 21, Wednesday, May 28 | 2-6 p.m. | Gills Creek Memorial Park | Free | Browse local farmers and artisans bringing fruit, produce, eggs, meats, honey, dog treats, and more.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $8+ | It’s White Claw Wednesday: Enjoy a game at the ballpark with $5 12oz White Claws — the perfect combo.*
Thursday, May 15
Grant Writing | 10:30 a.m. | South Carolina State Library | Free | Learn the basics of writing a proposal that will earn a grant, and what to do after you win a grant.
Friday, May 16
Jerry Seinfeld | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $82+ | Watch the legendary comedian bring his latest stand-up tour to Cola.
The Queens. 4 Legends. 1 Stage | 8 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $64 | Legendary voices in R&B, soul, and pop come together for a queen-filled tour.
Summer Nights at the Museum | 9 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $10 | The museum will stay open late on select Fridays through the summer season.
Saturday, May 17
Riverbanks Run 5K | 7:15-9 a.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | $40+ | The run will wind through the park’s scenic back roads, cross the Saluda River, and pass some of the most popular exhibits in the Zoo.
Musical Feast | 6:30-9 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $75+ | Enjoy live performances of jazz, opera, rock, classical strings, musical theatre, steel drums and more from USC School of Music students.
What time is it? Gametime. Carolina football will kick off its 2025 football season against Virginia Tech in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Aug. 31. The game time has been set for 3 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN.
Development
The City of Columbia aims to alleviate flooding in Five Points by developing a stormwater bypass system + potentially building a retention pond in Maxcy Gregg Park. The details aren’t fully fleshed out, but construction could begin next year. (WLTX)
Number
$34 million — that’s the amount Mega Metals, a copper wire company, plans to invest in a 91,000 sqft facility in Fairfield County, creating over 130 jobs. Once operating at full capacity, the new facility can produce 55 million pounds of wire annually. (WLTX)
Seasonal
The Nick Theater is bringing back its Kids Summer Movie Series. The series runs every Wednesday and Saturday mornings in June and July, with two movie options each day, for $7 per film. See the full film lineup.
Does SC football have more questions than answers for 2025? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Arts
Support local farms and markets at the Richland County Ag + Art Tour — a free, self-guided event happening Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. See where your food comes from, shop local art by talented artisans, enjoy live music, and learn more about rural life. See the full list of tour sites.*
Put your business in front of thousands when you secure your spot in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide ahead of Father’s Day. For a limited time, save 20% with code PGG2025 at checkout.
Learn
1440 analyzes 100+ sources to create one fact-centric, concise newsletter that lands in your inbox each morning. Become the smartest person in the room by subscribing for free.*
Category
Trending
🍗 Local chicken is going viral
Keith Lee announced he is going on tour across the Carolinas — where should he stop in Cola? | Photos via TikTok ; collage by COLAtoday
In case you haven’t heard of him, Lee and his family have traveled the country in search of the best food around, especially from Black-owned and family-operated restaurants, and his videos garner millions of views. After a positive review from Lee, local restaurants report a “Keith Lee effect,” including wrap-around lines and business doubling.
Lee frequents hyper-local restaurants that are a bit off the beaten path and deserve more spotlight. Check out this video — Robbie Robinson of City Limits Barbecue asks Lee to take a pit stop while on tour.
Asked
Asked
Where else should TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee have gone while he was in Cola?
Keep in mind: Lee frequents hyper-local restaurants that are a bit off the beaten path.
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Did you look at that chicken and think, “Man, I want to try some of Bernard Hardison’s chicken, too!”? Well, here’s your chance. Grab your tickets to the Looka That Festival Right There event happening on Saturday, July 26, at the Historic Columbia Speedway from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parking is $10, and tickets are $20. Pro tip: The first 1,000 people will receive a free item.
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