How important is it to keep up with new development + growth?

Greater Columbia’s population is expected to hit 1 million by 2035 – a 40% increase on the Midlands’ current population – and hit ~1.3 million by 2050 (nearly double the current population), according to a report released by the Central Midlands Council of Governments last year.

So, judging by this kind of growth, it’s very important – and it’s important to those of you who send us your questions when we ask what you want to know about Columbia.

“What’s going into the old Devine Foods?”

–Amy

Devine Foods, next to LaRoque and Craft and Draft on Devine St., closed this Winter after ~30 years in business selling authentic Greek food. Now, Five Points-located women’s clothing franchise Copper Penny is moving into the space. The building will go under construction for some changes/additions and plans to be open around early Fall.

“When is the Lowes in Forest Acres opening?”

–Pierce

Construction on the third Midlands’ Lowes Foods location (12th location in S.C.) is underway in the former Bi-Lo grocery store (closed Sept. 2016) of Forest Park shopping center on Forest Dr., and is slated to be finished by Summer 2018.

Also joining Lowes Foods in Forest Park shopping center is Eggs Up Grill (originally slated to open in January, but now planned to open in early April) and AR Workshop, coming March 8. Next door, on the 12.5-acre site of the former Cardinal Newman school, mixed-use developments The Cardinal and Cardinal Crossing are slated to open early 2019 + 2020.

“What about the Greenway. Anything new?”

–Pierce

Update: The Gills Creek Greenway A will not begin at Kilbourne Rd. (due to neighborhood objections) but at Jackon Blvd. + stretch South for ~1 mile based on current cost estimates. The maintenance and security agreement between the City + County has been approved and signed by both parties, and a scope of work is being developed by the Richland Penny program. Additionally, the Gills Creek Watershed Association received a grant from DHEC to restore Gills Creek along Crowson Rd. from Ft. Jackson Blvd. to Devine St. and beyond, with construction to begin Spring 2019.

“I would like to know why Finlay Park is so dilapidated and are there any plans to address that?”

–Concerned Soda Citizen

There was a master plan created for the 18-acre park in 2016, and in 2017, repairs to the iconic (now non-working) fountain began at $300K + a new $175K playground was approved. In his recent State of the City address, Mayor Benjamin hinted that big things are happening for Finlay. Some council members hinted that a private investor is eyeing the park. No word on who.

“What’s going in the former location of Harper’s?”

–@scartin6

Harper’s abruptly closed last April after 27 years at the corner of Harden + Devine St. in Five Points – and people have been brainstorming what could go into the space ever since. Zaxby’s was coming. Some people weren’t thrilled. Then Zaxby’s pulled out. What now? The Five Points Association, the City of Columbia Office of Economic Development + others are currently working to find another business to lease the space. Amy Beth Franks, executive director of the Five Points Association, says she’s getting lots of emails from the community on how happy they are that Zaxby's isn't going in – that they’re excited for the opportunities for other tenants.

“What’s going on in the old Vista fire station?”

–Lauren

A developer bought the former Columbia Fire Department HQ in the Vista (you know, next to that iconic training tower) in 2015 for $2.5 million + is investing $5 million to redevelop it. It’s getting two new restaurants: Kao Thai Cuisine restaurant (sister to Asheville’s Tamarind) and the newly-announced, unnamed French restaurant with upstairs event venue space (planned by Sean Moore, owner of several local Five Guys and the upcoming BLD Diner in Trenholm Plaza), to open early Fall. The developer has also mentioned a boutique hotel for Phase Two of the project.

“Where is Chopt going to be located in Columbia?”

–Tara

All we know is that there’s a live job listing for an assistant general manager of Chopt in Columbia, S.C. (But Columbia is not yet a listed location on the company’s website.) When we reached out to Chopt to ask about Cola getting a location, we didn’t get told “no.” But we don’t know where it will go.

“What’s the new building on Rosewood in the former Pizza Man lot?”

–Bill

A new Doctors Care urgent care facility is the 4,358-sqft. building in construction on Rosewood Dr., on the lot of the now-razed Pizza Man and Rose Bud Bridal Store. It plans to open sometime in April.

“What’s the construction happening at BullStreet?”

–Colin

Lots. Hughes Development Corporation, master developer of the 20-year, 181-acre BullStreet development project, has been daylighting Smith Branch creek and putting in a water quality station in what will be the 20-acre public park running alongside the creek (the first phase of the park is scheduled to be completed by the end Summer).

Bone-In Barbeque – upscale BBQ restaurant by Chef Scott Hall going into the historic Ensor Building next to Spirit Communications Park – has its drywall up, along with the framing for the bar (which Scott was building with his dad) + the wood facing around the bar. It plans to open mid- to late March (just in time for Columbia Fireflies opening day, Apr. 5). ~3,500 sqft. of renovated office space will be for lease upstairs.

Infrastructure construction has started for TownPark at BullStreet, the upscale townhome development that will feature 28 2+3BR homes ($300K-400K) near Calhoun + Barnwell St., leased by The Moore Company. The vapor barrier is down, slabs are being poured + pipes are sticking out of the ground – next, it will go vertical with wood framing. The first five townhouses should be completed by June 2018.

“What is up with that big abandoned, old factory-looking thing on Harden St., near the Department of Mental Health buildings? Any plans for that thing?”

–Robert

Here are the closest development matches we could find for this question:

A sector of donated land on the BullStreet property, along Harden St., will become the planned UofSC Health Sciences campus. The first phase of the project is an $80 million, 130,000-sqft. medical school, slated to open in 2020; and the second phase is a $120 million, 165,000-sqft. science and labs building, slated to open in 2023.
The Central Energy Facility at Gregg + Calhoun on BullStreet is being renovated for Downtown Church, aiming to be finished by late 2018. Hughes Development Corp. donated the building to Downtown Church. The $3M project will renovate the abandoned, 18,000-sqft. building into an indoor/outdoor multi-use space with a big lawn for concerts + large-scale events.

Do you have more development questions? Send ‘em over. We may not be able to answer everything, but just like you, we’re curious about our city – so we’ll see what we can dig up.

–Chloe