Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I don't consider Cayce and West Columbia suburbs. They are extensions of the Columbia grid. I feel that the professor is well-grounded in his assessment.
And it's interesting what he said about subsidizing people to live in suburbia. Suburbanites with their SUVs point the finger at transit systems as using taxpayer dollars for something they don't use, when they are getting their own taxpayer-funded freebies by driving on highways and getting a mortgage interest deduction on a McMansion they can afford only because a home builder developed on cheap land that should have remained green.
Also, I noted that he gave Charlotte as an example of cities doing a good job creating density around mass transit routes while saying that he believes Atlanta will rue the day the people of that metro rejected investment in expanded metro-rail service. Columbia's mayor just stated at the City Center Partnership meeting that great cities grow from the inside out. He added, "Stay tuned," saying Columbia is about to become a great city. I hope that means we can look forward to a lot more density here.
He has a point about the subsidization of suburbia, which was historically done to the detriment of the central city. However, those days are coming to an end and you see more and more cities talking about tolling and transit expansion to the suburbs. Charlotte has absolutely done a great job with TOD, but I wish folks would stop saying that because the region voted down the TSPLOST referendum that that means there isn't an appetite for transit expansion in the region because that's not true. There are still plans to extend MARTA, as well as create a BRT line, and about 60% of new development in the Atlanta metro area—roughly 15 million of the 24 million feet developed between 2009 and 2013—has featured denser developments that are a mix of retail, office and residential space, plus there are plans to develop major TOD at certain key MARTA stations.
As far as transit in Columbia goes, I think downtown is suited for a streetcar line or two and regionally, commuter rail seems to be an appropriate fit.
He has a point about the subsidization of suburbia, which was historically done to the detriment of the central city. However, those days are coming to an end and you see more and more cities talking about tolling and transit expansion to the suburbs. Charlotte has absolutely done a great job with TOD, but I wish folks would stop saying that because the region voted down the TSPLOST referendum that that means there isn't an appetite for transit expansion in the region because that's not true. There are still plans to extend MARTA, as well as create a BRT line, and about 60% of new development in the Atlanta metro area—roughly 15 million of the 24 million feet developed between 2009 and 2013—has featured denser developments that are a mix of retail, office and residential space, plus there are plans to develop major TOD at certain key MARTA stations.
As far as transit in Columbia goes, I think downtown is suited for a streetcar line or two and regionally, commuter rail seems to be an appropriate fit.
A streetcar line would be a good idea, especially around USC.
On another note, the Assembly St improvements look great.
Anyone know what kind of development is happening on Forest Drive between Trenholm Plaza and Shandon Baptist church? They cleared out a parcel of land there and was wondering if anyone knew what was going to be developed there.
Anyone know what kind of development is happening on Forest Drive between Trenholm Plaza and Shandon Baptist church? They cleared out a parcel of land there and was wondering if anyone knew what was going to be developed there.
I have a vague recollection of Zoning approving apartments there.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
How about this ped. bride over the Congaree
