Columbia, SC overview (Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg: live, centers, beach)

[GSP101]

[quote=Mutiny77;24130876]I was thinking about that myself not too long ago. I think last I heard, the city was wanting to try and secure some federal funds to help get it built, but since there's supposedly been a ban on earmarks in Congress, it will probably have to wait a bit. I think the city should try and partner with the private sector to try and get it built and lobby for as much federal funding as it can get.[

It would be a good idea to partner with the private sector and possibly use TIFS in the area. You would think that if Jim DeMint can get $5m for electric buses in Seneca, he could help Columbia obtain money for a park. Of course, he does not seem to help anyone outside the upstate.

[Columbiadata]

While it will probably be a while before the park that was projected to cost $90 million gets built, the mayor has said connecting the river walk from Granby Park all the way up Columbia's side of the river is a priority. Right now they're constructing Canal Front with a deck overlooking the Congaree and a dock at the south end of the canal next to EdVenture Children's Museum. The Canal Front walkway will pass underneath the arch on the end of the Gervais Street bridge into the small city park that's already on the south side of the bridge.

[nu2ct]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

I was thinking about that myself not too long ago. I think last I heard, the city was wanting to try and secure some federal funds to help get it built, but since there's supposedly been a ban on earmarks in Congress, it will probably have to wait a bit. I think the city should try and partner with the private sector to try and get it built and lobby for as much federal funding as it can get.

Gee, an anti-government state wanting federal funds to improve the community. Ironic.

[nu2ct]

Originally Posted by GSP101

Some folks from Innovista sent me plans for the area. There is a huge park on the plans, any idea where that is in the pipeline?

I think a lot of people forget about some large park like open areas in Columbia. The statehouse and grounds are awesome, I think one of the best in the country. And, the horseshoe at USC is one of the best college settings in the country. These areas combined with the downtown parks provide a lot of greeenspace. However, a signature park similar to ones in the plan documents would be a great economic catalyst. Maybe if Intel had built in Innovista as planned prior to the recession, other elements would be further along.

Columbia has great potential and yes, tons of greenspace. Here in CT we have 6 months of real outdoors time available but we have TONS of great parks. Not greenspace but developed parks such as resevoir walks, playscapes, walking paths, trails, town farm, rose garden, soccer fields etc. Finley Park is a very nice park in downtown Cola but it's the only one of its kind in the whole midlands area. I'm not dissing Cola but simply highlighting the unfulfilled potential.

[GSP101]

Originally Posted by nu2ct

Columbia has great potential and yes, tons of greenspace. Here in CT we have 6 months of real outdoors time available but we have TONS of great parks. Not greenspace but developed parks such as resevoir walks, playscapes, walking paths, trails, town farm, rose garden, soccer fields etc. Finley Park is a very nice park in downtown Cola but it's the only one of its kind in the whole midlands area. I'm not dissing Cola but simply highlighting the unfulfilled potential.

Can't say that there aren't areas for improvement. The planned park in Innovista is a game changing park. This may sound dramatic but, it is the missing link between downtown and the river. However, it will be very expensive and may take longer to build. But, other areas in Columbia are great, like I said, the statehouse grounds are awesome. The Horseshoe at USC is terrific. But, yes, the city, as with all southern cities, could use more parks. Charlotte was just listed as a large city without enough parks.

As for federal funding, you would be shocked at how some federal funds are spent in SC. It all comes down to if Demint likes the area, it he likes the area, money flows in, if not, you get nothing.

[Columbiadata]

It's Columbia that wants the money and it's not an anti-US-government city.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by nu2ct

Gee, an anti-government state wanting federal funds to improve the community. Ironic.

This is Columbia we're talking about. It's politically distinct from the rest of the state.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by nu2ct

Gee, an anti-government state wanting federal funds to improve the community. Ironic.

Columbia doesn't have much in common with the rest of South Carolina.

[Al G]

Originally Posted by nu2ct

I wanted to share an overview of Columbia for those who are looking to move there. I spent 25 years there, moving in 2008.

Columbia is home to the state government, U. of SC, and Fort Jackson (largest army training base in the world I think). Because of this, it has a very solid economic foundation and is relatively cosmopolitan. It also has some old south, country roots that is evident (in terms of politics, slang and mannerisms). Richland County is relatively liberal and Lexington is seriously conservative. You will see confederate flags around but that only represents a small proportion of the population. You will see more of that in small neighboring areas. If you come from the north you will notice how polite people are in general. People will hold the door open for you and you must say hello to people as you walk by them in your neighborhood!

It rarely snows and the temperatures rarely drop below freezing. In January there will be days with 60 and even 70 degree weather. Some days the temp will start below freezing and rise to 60. When it does snow the city shuts down. The spring time, starting in March, is wonderful. Summers are unbearably humid and hot! Walk your kids at 7AM in August and you sweat profusely. The heat means FIRE ANTS! That's bad news.

The city has exploded the past 20 years and is largely suburban with the vast expansion into the northeast, Irmo (northwest) and Lexington (west). The northeast has the most diversity and is largely middle class, more on the lower end. There are some very wealthy areas there, e.g. Wildewood. Irmo is a little less diverse and is similar in socio-economics but with a higher middle class. Blythewood is more homogeneous with a rural flavor. Lexington is much more homogeneous in terms of ethnicity and economics. Forest Acres is middle to upper class, especially along Trenholm Road. This is an older area. Downtown is comprised of college students, Shandon, which is a beautiful neighborhood, and areas like Rosewood with smaller homes. West Columbia is more homogeneous, middle class and lower. There are pockets of lower socio-economic levels in the downtown and West Cola areas. The north end is mostly lower socio-economic.

The schools are hit and miss. (I used to teach in Cola.) Richland 2, which covers the northeast, has some excellent schools and some that are subpar. Lexington 5, Irmo, has excellent schools. Richland 1, downtown and Forest Acres, is mostly problematic, especially the high schools. Lexington 1 has an outstanding high school and an ok one. West Columbia has mediocre middle and high schools. The best high schools in the area are Lexington HS, Dutch Fork, Spring Valley, Irmo. Also good are Dreher, Ridgeview, Blythewood. Some elements of AC Flora, Richland Northeast, White Knoll. I can't stress the importance of knowing the schools when deciding to live in Cola. If you will have children eventually attend public high school, I recommend focusing on the best listed above.

Compared to the rest of the state, only Wando, Downtown Charleston and parts of Greenville have comparable social opportunities. (Myrtle Beach is touristy.) The northeast has Sandhills shopping center and your typical suburban national chain restaurants. Irmo has a dense concentration of shopping and food around Columbiana Center (which has a carousel inside). Downtown has a lot of nice restaurants and a couple theaters; USC has speakers and events; there is a nice kids museum; the zoo is excellent; there is a nice canal park and walkway; Finley Park is very nice for the family; the libary was national library of the year a few years ago; and Five Points is the happening place in terms of shopping and dining during the day and partying at night. Lake Murray is a very nice lake with all the lake activities, including a beach area.

Columbia is not an exciting place to live but it is not boring. There are good places to raise kids and younger people will like the USC influence. Finally, you have to choose a team: Clemson or Carolina. College football is massively important there and tailgating is a blast.

Yeah, it's still a rural city in a rural state.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Al G

Yeah, it's still a rural city in a rural state.

"Rural city" = oxymoron