Yesterday, the Columbia Housing Authority began the demolition of Gonzales Gardens, the 77-year-old housing project off Forest Dr. Mayor Benjamin + the Columbia Housing Authority were on-site to witness the demolition of the first building to go. The complex is expected to be fully leveled by the end of the year.

Dating back to 1940, Gonzales Gardens was originally intended for soldiers + officers at Ft. Jackson, housing 600+ residents. In recent years, low income families occupied the outdated complex, but were removed from the residence last year. It’s been sitting empty for about a year.

A new, mixed-income housing community (intended to reenvision affordable housing in Cola) is planned for the 14-acre site. The complex would include a mix of homes, townhouses, apartments + senior living, totaling 270 new residences.

Construction will begin in Spring 2018 in phases, using a $30M grant from the Housing and Urban Development department (pending the grant’s approval).

3 min read / Free Times

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