What will be Columbia's next hot neighborhood? (West Columbia, Millwood: estate, condos)

[Woodlands]

The State | North Columbia: Crisis or Comeback?

Some of you may have seen the article in the The State that talks about North Columbia. North Columbia...is largely from the Broad River to I-20, from Farrow Rd to somewhere north of Elmwood Ave. While some of the information about crime and the social and economic data/facts may be proven much of what they talk about in the article are in small pockets of what is defined as a "sprawling area of forty neighborhoods". This is part a parcel of the problem.. North Columbia is sprawling... so what happens in Belmont may be totally different than what is happening in Keenan Terrace and the issues/priorities in each between both neighborhoods in this example require a different approach by the City.. not to mention there is a considerable amount of distance between the two. The City Planners may benefit from developing a series of subplan areas.. "i.e. North Central or something to that effect so they can begin to plan/tailor resources to meet the needs of clusters of neighborhoods at a time that comprise "North Columbia". This may allow them to be very focused and specific on what needs to happen to improve the specific sub-area that then contributes to the rise of the entire "North Columbia". Those subareas with the greatest needs could receive priority for funding to improvements/revitalization. Additionally, if you subscribe to the belief that North Columbia exists below I-20... much of the area long Monticello Rd...on west is not in the City and there are pockets along North Main and Fairfield Rd that include other troubled apts and duplexes that are not in the City, but contributing to the decline of the surrounding neighborhoods, in both jurisdictions. The County is now working to make some improvements in some of these areas, though more collaboration between both municipalities should happen. It may be politically unpopular to spend County dollars in the City, though the City IS in the County. But to combine redevelopment efforts would extend the amount of dollars available, particuliarly if the area is a hot bed of crime and deterioration. The County would benefit from an improved tax base (as would the City) since those who live in the City are represented by both a City and County Council rep and pay taxes to both juridictions. Areas that are solely in the County, but border the City would eventually benefit from the spill over effect from the redevelopment of some of the complexes/areas since many of the ones in North Columbia border or stradle the City Limits. Gable Oaks, for example is a stone throw from the County Line.. if it continues to deteriorate so will Belmont and the areas between Fairfield and North Main.. which will impact the County... blight knows no boundaries.....

[waccamatt]

^ I agree with you, Woodlands, in that a sub-plan for "North Columbia/Eau Claire" would be the way to go. Keenan Terrace, Earlewood, Elmwood Park and Cottontown need a different plan than Colonial Heights, Seminary Ridge or Lincolnshire to name a few other neighborhoods. I think the Main Street beautification from Elmwood to Fairfield Road is a good start. I'm hopeful that project will turn that section of Main into a more mid-scale version of the Devine Street corridor. With Keenan Terrace, Earlewood, Elmwood Park and Cottontown surrounding that portion of Main, there is a stable middle class population base that would support different businesses than have tended to gather in the area. The first thing, IMO, that needs to be done is to find a way to get rid of check-cashing places. I wonder if the city could outlaw them? They are a scourge on our entire state.

The more northerly parts of the area seem to have the worst crime problems. The city's pondering of a law requiring a security plan from landlords is a good start. Extending the beautification project all the way out North Main, Monticello and Fairfield Roads would also go a long way to aesthetically cleaning up the area. Look at how much better Two Notch Road and the Waverly area look since the Two Notch Streetscaping was completed and since Benedict College and Allen University took an active role in the neighborhood. The same can be done with Columbia College and the Lutheran Seminary in the Eau Claire area. I know there is some work to be done on the schools in that area of town, but first we need to work on devoting energy to improving the crime problem.

[Woodlands]

Another option would be for the City and the County to use their force of condemnation (if allowed by State Law) to take these complexes and demolish or rehab them and make them mixed income communities. The residents could be relocated into either newer complexes or Section 8 in better communities. This, of course, should be the LAST resort if the troubled complexes continue to have crime or code violations or are unresponsive to community concerns. Columbia has several Community Development Corporations that do affordable housing that could take over some of these complexes and redevelop them. I am sure it has been done before in Columbia, but if they designate some of these areas via some for of "redevelopment plan" it may strenghten their position to condemn and or target fed dollars. If you take Ashley Street from Fairfield Rd towards N. Main Street tucked away in a small nook on the right in the vicinity behind the Shopping Center which sits on Fairfield Rd is a small new home community that I believe is called "Belmont" that is being developed by the City. This area was full of substandard housing and had an large open drainage canal running through the middle of it... It was first annexed into the City as was most of Ashley Street, the canal was placed in a culvert and buried and a dozen or so new homes are being constructed. Several streets including Ashley were also paved and sidewalks added in several areas. I don't know the status of the sales of the Belmont Homes but they have been slow.. which may be partly attributed to the issues at Gable Oaks because the complex is literally blocks away. The City has a vested interest for this and other reason to redevelop Gable Oaks...

[ced_lol]

THe Clemson rd area in the NE so many subdivisons head is spinning lol

[Woodlands]

I do not spend much time in the Wild Wild West Columbia or Cayceland but much of the Midlands growth is moving in that direction. There is a enlightening article about West Columbia and how now the 378; I-20 and I-26 highways are a boon to this emerging city. Other highlights include the increase in the Latino and African American populations in West Columbia as well.

A year or so ago there was an article that highlighted the growing pains between the Cities of Lexington and West Columbia along 378. It noted that eventually both cities could share a boundary and that it was almost a race down 378 to see who could gobble up the most undeveloped land along this corridor. I think for West Columbia, expansion is critical. Bounded by the City of Columbia to the north and east. Cayce to the south.. the only way it can go is further west.. until it runs into the City of Lexington. Both cities were beginning to spare over water/sewer service areas with Lexington being interested in annexing property that was in the West Columbia Water Service area... Do not know the outcome of that issue, but I am sure it it the first of many to come.

Many of the older neighborhoods in both Cayce and West Columbia could see their own Vista type revitalization.. there are several nice neighborhoods near "Vista West" and many stable areas over by Brookland Cayce. Just north of 378 there was a low income housing community that was label by some as "West Hell" because it contained most of the area's crime at the time... I believe it has been quiet as of the last several years and some improvement made in the surrounding area including a new City Hall for WC

The State | 07/14/2008 | West Columbia expanding (broken link)

[Woodlands]

Here is an interesting article on a developer proposing to build several townhomes in the unused portion of the warehouse that houses Publix on Gervais... He is asking a lofty asking price... don't know if he will get it.. stay tuned...

The State | 07/16/2008 | Town homes planned

521 Gervais

[Woodlands]

I have to admit... I was surprised that the area around the stadium took off the way it did. It has long been and industrial wasteland and for the past three or four years was one of Columbia's hottest areas of growth.. especially if combined with Olympia. Now things have slowed considerably but some are still banking on the fact that this area is close to downtown, the future innovista/redevelopment of the Guignard property, and of course the Baseball and Football Stadium. They may be right in terms of a long term investment, the area may be hot though now it appears chilled. However; I wonder where (if any) service retail will emerge to service these new residents. Many people probably do not like the idea of having the State Fairgrounds "redeveloped" but I would be curious to see where the retail goes since it often follows roof tops and residential growth.

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/466455.html (broken link)

[asaulpaugh]

"the eventual demolition of Gonzales Gardens" --

Has there been any decisions made as to the definite future of Gonzales Gardens? I've been trying to research it, but I haven't been able to find anything so far.

[Woodlands]

I do not think a specific "date" has been on its demolition. However; it has long been the source of conversation of city leaders. Most "projects" around the Country are being demolished in favor of mixed income or mixed use communities. Given the location of Gonzales Gardens across from Providence, near Melrose Heights, and the revitalization efforts to redevelop "East Center City". I believe that the Housing Authority will eventually opt to redevelop the community in partnership with a for or not for profit developer because the land value should make the area viable for redevelopment particuliarly into a mixed use community where retail could be incorporated along Taylor/Forest Drive. The existing residents could be relocated with vouchers into much better housing, some may even be able to return to a new development as owners or renters. I believe Celia Saxon redevelopment will be the likely model... the main issue is funding or lack there of.

[asaulpaugh]

Thanks Woodlands. I'm not very familiar with the area but the Gonzales Gardens site intrigued me. I know the Forest Hills area to the east is a great community, but how is the area around Gonzales Gardens and to the West? I've found articles talking about gang problems at GG and found it interesting that there are high-end homes only two blocks from there which says to me that that there is some potential. It seems that if GG were redeveloped, it could start a change for the area with the hospital there and the potential future redevelopment of the Midtown at Forest Hills Mall. From what you're saying, it seems that the city might be on board with this as well, correct?