92 replies to this topic

[emerging.me]

I thought this might make an interesting thread. We can talk about specific vacant/run-down buildings in various areas of Columbia and what we think would be cool to see happen to them. I'll go first...



The old fire department headquarters in the Vista could be really cool -- I know a few years ago there was some talk about tearing it down. That'd be a huge mistake. The style of the building is really cool and modern.

Reuse Idea: Small Open-Air Market + Shops: A partially open-air market would be cool in The Vista.  With residential starting to really take off down there, I think the area would support it.   The building could be restored and the fire truck bays left open to house vendors -- produce, art, other wares.  Colorful booths would spill out on to the sidewalk.  Upstairs could be residential or offices -- I'd like residential.  I can't come up with any creative ideas for the tower, though.

It's just down the street from the new Convention Center and the future home of the Hilton.

Edited by emerging.me, 06 March 2005 - 02:54 PM.

[Spartan]

This thread is a good idea!

I like your suggestion for the old firehouse. I think they could do something cool with the watch tower too. I have no idea what though. maybe some sort of observaiton deck?

I would like to see the Heart of Columbia Motel area converted into a mixed-use residential midrise with commercial shops along the base.

Another thing that needs to change is the old Burger King on College St. What an eyesore. I would rather it be a surface lot than what it is now.

[waccamatt]

This really is a great idea for a thread. When the State Hospital moves from Bull Street and the land is redeveloped, the large building with the dome should become a luxury hotel.

[Spartan]

I dunno.... more hotels?

I agree that there needs to be something that the public can access in there. That is such a cool dome. I remember when I was little that I thought that was the capitol for some reason.

[waccamatt]

Spartan, on Mar 6 2005, 10:34 PM, said:

I dunno.... more hotels?

I agree that there needs to be something that the public can access in there. That is such a cool dome. I remember when I was little that I thought that was the capitol for some reason.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used to think it was the capital, also. I said hotel so that the building would be accessible. I'd like to see the inside. I searched online for a picture, but didn't find one. I guess I'll have to break out the camera again.

[IRR-SC]

waccamatt, on Mar 7 2005, 03:27 AM, said:

I used to think it was the capital, also. I said hotel so that the building would be accessible. I'd like to see the inside. I searched online for a picture, but didn't find one. I guess I'll have to break out the camera again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is this the building?

[vicupstate]

emerging.me, on Mar 6 2005, 02:50 PM, said:

I thought this might make an interesting thread. We can talk about specific vacant/run-down buildings in various areas of Columbia and what we think would be cool to see happen to them. I'll go first...



The old fire department headquarters in the Vista could be really cool -- I know a few years ago there was some talk about tearing it down. That'd be a huge mistake. The style of the building is really cool and modern.

Reuse Idea: Small Open-Air Market + Shops: A partially open-air market would be cool in The Vista.  With residential starting to really take off down there, I think the area would support it.   The building could be restored and the fire truck bays left open to house vendors -- produce, art, other wares.  Colorful booths would spill out on to the sidewalk.  Upstairs could be residential or offices -- I'd like residential.  I can't come up with any creative ideas for the tower, though.

It's just down the street from the new Convention Center and the future home of the Hilton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From what I understand, this building was built on top of an old landfill.  It cannot be occupied because of structural deficiencies resulting from settling.  Had it not been municipally-owned, it would have been condemn and vacated years earlier than it was.  

It is getting to be an eyesore.  If it cannot be made stable, it should be torn down and turned into a gravel parking lot.

[waccamatt]

IRR-SC, on Mar 7 2005, 08:32 AM, said:

Is this the building?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That building is also on the State Hospital grounds, but it's not the one we were referring to. I'll try to get a picture of it this week. The building you posted is almost hidden now. A 4 story ugly state office building was built in front of it. I wonder who's bright idea that was?

Edited by waccamatt, 08 March 2005 - 12:39 AM.

[Spartan]

vicupstate, on Mar 7 2005, 12:57 PM, said:

From what I understand, this building was built on top of an old landfill.  It cannot be occupied because of structural deficiencies resulting from settling.  Had it not been municipally-owned, it would have been condemn and vacated years earlier than it was. 

It is getting to be an eyesore.  If it cannot be made stable, it should be torn down and turned into a gravel parking lot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or some sort of park/ parking lot. I can't recall exactly how it is placed, but it coulf be used as an open air market or a part of some out door seating for places that aren't condemned.

waccamatt, on Mar 8 2005, 01:39 AM, said:

That building is also on the State Hospital grounds, but it's not the one we were referring to. I'll try to get a picture of it this week. The building you posted is almost hidden now. A 4 story ugly state office building was built in front of it. I wonder who's bright idea that was?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats what I thought we were tlaking about. Aren't we talking about the one with the dome you can see from Elmwood?

[waccamatt]

Thats what I thought we were tlaking about. Aren't we talking about the one with the dome you can see from Elmwood?


That's right, Spartan. I'm in Atlanta for the SEC Tournament right now, but I'll take a picture of it next week and post it. It is potentially one of the nicest buildings in Columbia, IMO.

[emerging.me]

vicupstate, on Mar 7 2005, 01:57 PM, said:

From what I understand, this building was built on top of an old landfill.  It cannot be occupied because of structural deficiencies resulting from settling.  Had it not been municipally-owned, it would have been condemn and vacated years earlier than it was. 

It is getting to be an eyesore.  If it cannot be made stable, it should be torn down and turned into a gravel parking lot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think anything is better than a parking lot.  I dropped Historic Columbia a line asking about the stability/landfill issue and got this reply from John Sherrer today...

Quote

Mr. Linder --

My apologies for not responding sooner but I wanted to make sure that I had exhausted all of my research leads before answering your inquiry.  I could find no mention of a landfill in that area to prevent the building's occupation.

Many thanks for your interest,

John Sherrer

[Spartan]

Thanks for getting that info!

[mainstreeter]

emerging.me, on Mar 6 2005, 04:50 PM, said:

I thought this might make an interesting thread. We can talk about specific vacant/run-down buildings in various areas of Columbia and what we think would be cool to see happen to them. I'll go first...



The old fire department headquarters in the Vista could be really cool -- I know a few years ago there was some talk about tearing it down. That'd be a huge mistake. The style of the building is really cool and modern.

Reuse Idea: Small Open-Air Market + Shops: A partially open-air market would be cool in The Vista.  With residential starting to really take off down there, I think the area would support it.   The building could be restored and the fire truck bays left open to house vendors -- produce, art, other wares.  Colorful booths would spill out on to the sidewalk.  Upstairs could be residential or offices -- I'd like residential.  I can't come up with any creative ideas for the tower, though.

It's just down the street from the new Convention Center and the future home of the Hilton.

This is a neat thread that hasn't been discussed in quite some time.   Anyone have some cool ideas?  I still think the arcade building should be the #1 target for redevelopment.  That building is awesome!

[CorgiMatt]

emerging.me, on Mar 6 2005, 02:50 PM, said:

I thought this might make an interesting thread. We can talk about specific vacant/run-down buildings in various areas of Columbia and what we think would be cool to see happen to them. I'll go first...



The old fire department headquarters in the Vista could be really cool -- I know a few years ago there was some talk about tearing it down. That'd be a huge mistake. The style of the building is really cool and modern.

Reuse Idea: Small Open-Air Market + Shops: A partially open-air market would be cool in The Vista.  With residential starting to really take off down there, I think the area would support it.   The building could be restored and the fire truck bays left open to house vendors -- produce, art, other wares.  Colorful booths would spill out on to the sidewalk.  Upstairs could be residential or offices -- I'd like residential.  I can't come up with any creative ideas for the tower, though.

It's just down the street from the new Convention Center and the future home of the Hilton.

[CorgiMatt]

Blue Sky should make the tower next to the old fire station into a miniature skyscraper.  No pun intended.  He could put windows in it and add some other touches to it to make it a monument to Columbia's highrise index.  It would kind of make a statement with its own height that height restrictions are observed in the Vista, but that the skyscraper is one one of Columbia's trademarks compared to, say Charleston or Savannah.  It could be semi-cartoon-like - (not sure that's the right word) -  cute, but not tacky.  I have racked my brain and that is all I can come up with.

[sojay]

Reviving an old thread here... can't believe I overlooked this one. I LOVE THAT BUILDING! I can't pass it without thinking of its potential. Does anyone have any recent pics with the new streetscaping? Otherwise I'll try and take some tomorrow.

Anyone game for brainstorming more about it?

Those garage doors could be replaced with all-glass garage doors for a good connection indoors/outdoors. An indoor/outdoor food oriented market with small booths with specialty products. I'm not too keen on a crafts oriented market - a) because it's more geared towards tourists and there aren't enough in Cola and b) it is less desirable for locals as a place to come to regularly. Although something artistic would be welcome. Some performance art happenings or secondary exhibitions maybe.

Emergingme, it's funny you mentioned open air market, because independently of reuse of this particular building, I've been thinking that a farmers market is something sorely missing in Cola. The big official farmers market is so out of the way and intimidating and unwelcoming for the ordinary person.  Somewhere centrally downtown, it would be so great to have a market somewhat modelled after NY's Union Square. A place where you can buy sought-after produce (other stuff than you can get at supermarkets, for example zuchini flowers, heirloom tomatoes), artisanal breads and cheeses, local honey, baked goods, potted herbs, cut flowers, local specialties, home cured ham, spices, fresh shrimp, chocolate truffles, cooking utensils, juice bar, wine, sushi bar... you name it. A place where a small-time vendor can get a booth or set up a stand on a non-permanent basis.

I lived for a few years in France, and a huge pleasure was to go to the local market even if I didn't need to buy anything. Just to sit at an open-air café and people watch...

So, of course there would have to be a café. Maybe have an outdoor seating area and courtyard garden in the space between the tall white wall of the garage and the building itself.

CorgiMatt mentioned Blue Sky for the tower. I thought something humoristic on that white wall instead/also.

In France it's common at Les Halles to have an outdoor green market, an indoor market for wares requiring refrigeration, and sometimes upstairs would be casual restaurants where all the raw materials came from the market below.

Actually, the more I think of this, the more I dig up memories of similar places where I have travelled or lived and which I have fond memories of. Has anyone here been to the fish market in Sydney, Australia? Sunday mornings we would go buy some oysters or sushi, some fruit and a mini bottle of champagne and sit at a table outside and feel oh so civilized...;-)

Any other ideas? Or observations/memories of similar places you've been?

[waccamatt]

emerging.me, on Mar 6 2005, 03:50 PM, said:

I thought this might make an interesting thread. We can talk about specific vacant/run-down buildings in various areas of Columbia and what we think would be cool to see happen to them. I'll go first...



The old fire department headquarters in the Vista could be really cool -- I know a few years ago there was some talk about tearing it down. That'd be a huge mistake. The style of the building is really cool and modern.

Reuse Idea: Small Open-Air Market + Shops: A partially open-air market would be cool in The Vista.  With residential starting to really take off down there, I think the area would support it.   The building could be restored and the fire truck bays left open to house vendors -- produce, art, other wares.  Colorful booths would spill out on to the sidewalk.  Upstairs could be residential or offices -- I'd like residential.  I can't come up with any creative ideas for the tower, though.

It's just down the street from the new Convention Center and the future home of the Hilton.

I think the old main fire station would make a cool discotheque called........."The firehouse"!

One other thing, has anyone noticed how OLD that picture is? The Wade Hampton Hotel is in the background and look at the lone car on the street. That picture must have been taken when the building was new. Also, I think the old training building (the one someone wanted Blue Sky to paint) has been torn down.

Edited by waccamatt, 15 February 2006 - 11:43 PM.

[HAMMETTM]

waccamatt, on Feb 16 2006, 12:39 AM, said:

I think the old main fire station would make a cool discotheque called........."The firehouse"!

One other thing, has anyone noticed how OLD that picture is? The Wade Hampton Hotel is in the background and look at the lone car on the street. That picture must have been taken when the building was new. Also, I think the old training building (the one someone wanted Blue Sky to paint) has been torn down.

What is a discotheque? Just kidding.

The building could be renovated into a nice upscale club though.

[TheSuperPope]

Well everyone, this was kind of weird, I just finished reading over this thread and cut on Headlines News. The first thing they announced (on the little Columbia bit) was that the firestation is up for sale. Everyone could get there wish for a something moving in soon...(and by soon I mean the next few years)

[sojay]

That IS weird.

That building is so cool. I'd kill to be able to put my own mid-century modern aesthetics into it...

It doesn't get too great a rap from Historic Columbia Foundation, though:
http://www.historicc...on/cu_fire.html

These pics are from today:



Here's the white wall that begs for a mural:



courtyard:



And the drill tower that also could use Blue Sky's humor to be turned into an over sized sculpture: (view from Gervais)