UP|Columbia

What are outsiders saying about Columbia?

CorgiMatt — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:42:23 +0000

This post is about only one person's comments today on Columbia. I was in training at work here in town. Personnel from all over the state are in the training. A guy from Berkeley County who was sitting next to me asked me if I live in Columbia once he found out I work here. I said yes, and he said," I like Columbia. I've often thought I'd like to live here."
"What do you like about it?" I asked.
He asked, "Have you ever been to DC? Columbia feels like a small DC to me. DC is too large and I don't really care for big cities, but Columbia is a nice size and just has the feel of a small DC."
I replied, "Interesting you say that. I actually lived in DC for five years from age 20-25, and I also spent time in New York, and I've always said Columbia feels like cross between a tiny New York and a small DC, because when you drive around you can see for such a distance down an urban corridor from each intersection."
"It really does," he answered. "And I love Columbia's downtown; the capitol area is so nice. I just think I'd like to live here."
I said, "Columbia locals often sell the city short and think it's better other places, but Columbia has a lot to offer."
"I get that from people, too, and I don't get it," he said.
That's as word-for-word as I can get it without having recorded our conversation. He looks to be in his thirties.

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Township Auditorium Renovation

CorgiMatt — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:04:07 +0000

No pics, no camera, but I ride past it every day. They have the front windows in with pitched gables over them. They're getting close to putting in the new columns.

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Township Auditorium Renovation

krazeeboi — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:18:25 +0000

So what's the Township looking like these days? Since it's getting a bit warmer, some of you guys should get out with your cameras and give us some updates of projects around Columbia. *hint, hint*

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

gamecoxfan1 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:06:34 +0000

Any updates?

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Dutch Square Center

emerging.me — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:28:41 +0000

Firefox, on 13 March 2010 - 10:48 PM, said:

When did this happen? I ate there Firday.

Don't know when it's closing, but I hear it's imminent. First of the chain in Columbia, I believe. And one of the first locations -- if not *the* first -- in SC. Don't know the history, but it has to be close.

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Columbia Off-Topic

krazeeboi — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:18:51 +0000

Hybrid0NE, on 14 March 2010 - 07:15 PM, said:

Interesting Article from The State on why Columbia's Growth/Layout has prevented more "upscale" retail from locating here.

Shoppers' wish list: high-end retailers

That article is being discussed in this thread.

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Columbia Off-Topic

Hybrid0NE — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:15:35 +0000

Interesting Article from The State on why Columbia's Growth/Layout has prevented more "upscale" retail from locating here.

Shoppers' wish list: high-end retailers

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

BrasilnSC — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:42:22 +0000

I've seen a good bit work on the restaurant at the old John Paul's Steakhouse on Assembly. Also, a sign in front of the Charlton Hall building, next to Longhorn shows a planned development; doesn't mention what but a rendering showed some minor exterior work to the front and a covered outdoor seating area in the back.

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Restaurants Columbia Should Have

CorgiMatt — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:50:04 +0000

In one place the article makes it sound as though the high-income group is split in two between Harbison and Sandhill, but later it includes downtown's three main districts and Forest Acres as a third area with high enough incomes but still working on critical mass. So it sounds like some stores might end up putting three locations here, at least the ones that don't locate only in the suburbs.

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

CorgiMatt — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:36:35 +0000

Most of the brick work and window framing are done. I'd say they're halfway there.

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Restaurants Columbia Should Have

krazeeboi — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:17:26 +0000

Spartan, on 24 July 2008 - 10:03 AM, said:

Columbia is also unique in that you have two major retail districts with duplicate stores. I think this is unusual for a metro the size of Columbia. Big city chains may have a problem picking one over the other since there is not a clear concentration of wealthy people.

This is pretty much the reason given for why Columbia lacks in the retail/restaurant department when compared with other peer cities in the area in this article in The State. All of the other elements are there, but the distribution of retail nodes in the metro area works against landing those chains that many residents desire. As others have similarly stated, I think the setup is a good thing for Columbia in the long run, although it has its disadvantages at the moment. I wonder if there's another city of similar size in the country that has the same issue?

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

krazeeboi — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:11:03 +0000

Thanks for the updates guys. What about the SC Bar Conference Center? How far along is it? The steel framing went up pretty quick; has any of the exterior work begun?

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Dutch Square Center

Firefox — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:48:00 +0000

emerging.me, on 13 March 2010 - 09:04 PM, said:

I just wanted to mention here, for the sake of being complete, that the Chick-Fil-A closure is a huge, huge loss for Dutch Square.

When did this happen? I ate there Firday.

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Dutch Square Center

emerging.me — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:04:36 +0000

Spartan, on 16 July 2007 - 09:55 PM, said:

This is exciting for Dutch Square. This fits in with that plan we uncovered a while back. It would certainly bring new life to that part of town.

I just wanted to mention here, for the sake of being complete, that the Chick-Fil-A closure is a huge, huge loss for Dutch Square. The Hallmark store is going/gone as well.

Another thing worthy of note: Steve & Barry's obviously isn't coming -- as mentioned a few posts above. The chain is kaput.

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

CorgiMatt — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:24:11 +0000

They're working on the oyster restaurant at Gervais and Park today.

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

emerging.me — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:12:59 +0000

krazeeboi, on 13 March 2010 - 01:46 PM, said:

twelve14 is down to finishing exterior touches and interior work. I think it looks awesome. Primary tentant, TD Ameritrade, has a "coming soon" banner in the window. Upstairs will be a "clubhouse" for the group of doctors who own the project -- also available for event rental, I think. Rear building will be a spa. Eco, I believe it's called.

Lofts building is STILL slowly making progress. Does not appear that anything is imminent.

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Historic Congaree Vista Developments

krazeeboi — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:46:12 +0000

So how are the various Vista projects (twelve14 Pulaski, 521 Gervais, SC Bar Conference Center, etc.) coming along? Has the Lofts condo building opened yet, and if so, any retailers on the ground floor?

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Columbia Photo of the Day

Hybrid0NE — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:35:11 +0000

Great pics! It's so odd to see Columbia with more than a dusting of snow on the ground. Anymore? I'd love to see Finlay Park and the City Center after that storm.

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What Columbia is doing right & what can be improved upon

krazeeboi — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:02:01 +0000

I'm actually surprised by the balanced comments accompanying the article. Every once in a while it happens.

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Richland Mall Redevelopment

emerging.me — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:03:25 +0000

Granted, this sort of creative concept would seem far more appropriate in the Vista, but what if the mall was reformed into some sort of community arts/culture/music venue/coworking space a la this project in Columbus:

http://www.wonderlandcolumbus.com/

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