Columbia's progress in the past 10 years

[krazeeboi 115]

So how would you guys rate Columbia's progress within the past 10 years? How does it compare with the progress of similarly sized cities/metros in the South and in the nation? Has the city failed to meet up to your expections or exceeded them? Give some feedback.

[Hybrid0NE 2]

Good. The city reversed it decreasing population trend and actually made it back over the 100k mark, while the metro continues to expand encroaching outside of it's dual county core for the first. Also the urban renewal/downtown revival was fun to watch. The tallest office building to be constructed in the state in sometime rose on in the CBD and Vista completed it's transformation into a more ritzy district. Also, the fact that the city is making itself into a destination with the Colonial Center, Convention Center, 3 Rivers Music festival, addition of more high-end hotels, etc. is enough for applause. It's about time an inland SC city stole some of the coast's thunder.

[The_sandlapper 0]

I have to say I am quite proud of Columbia's progress of the past ten years. I remember when the vista was an old abandoned warehouse blythe. Within ten years the city has been acknowledge several times over for its economic pressence, quality of life, entrepeneurship, business climate, creativeness, & urban renessiance. I remember a time when Columbia wouldn't have even been considered on any "who's who" list and now it usually makes the cut. The great thing about Columbia is that the city is entirly in the drivers seat. What is happening there now is only the very begining of more great things to come. I think in the next ten years several people will may or may not be very surprised with what the area has and will become!

Basically my vote was good, not excellent yet because there is so much more that will happen. But the area has taken several very positive steps in a relatively short time!

[pricemiller 0]

Having visited Columbia a lot in the last 10 years, I have been quite impressed with the progress of the city. That is one reason I am considering getting a place there in the not too distant future.

[krazeeboi 115]

One vote for "fair" and one for "poor." Fair I can somewhat understand, but poor? C'mon somebody, speak up and explain yourself!

[803metlife 0]

One vote for "fair" and one for "poor." Fair I can somewhat understand, but poor? C'mon somebody, speak up and explain yourself!

it had to be a hater!!

[sonofaque86 0]

From Greenville!! lol

[The_sandlapper 0]

^True!

[CorgiMatt 79]

I was just reading Wikapedia on Charleston and whoever wrote the Charleston article said the US Census Bureau said Charleston had 110,000+ people as of the 2005 census. Does anyone know how where the writer would have gotten this info? Where can I find Columbia proper's 2005 population as estimated by the Census Bureau?

[The_sandlapper 0]

I posted Columbia's city population estimate on the SC population thread. It is estimated at 121,000 for 2005 and 2010 projection of 126,000 per census.

[CorgiMatt 79]

I posted Columbia's city population estimate on the SC population thread. It is estimated at 121,000 for 2005 and 2010 projection of 126,000 per census.

Where is thet SC population thread and where did you find the 2005 Census Bureau estimates of cities' populations?

[The_sandlapper 0]

Where is thet SC population thread and where did you find the 2005 Census Bureau estimates of cities' populations?

SC Popualtion thread

You can also check out demographicsnow.com

[Spartan 654]

The Census does population estimations each year. You can find them at Census.gov.

[CorgiMatt 79]

The Census does population estimations each year. You can find them at Census.gov.

I visit that site a lot. 2004 is the latest figure given when I type in Columbia and select SC as the state.

[CorgiMatt 79]

The attached you tube video done by the Columbia Development Corporation gives an idea of the progress made.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_quer...mp;search_type=

[krazeeboi 115]

That was an awesome video. The transformation that the Vista has undergone is nothing short of amazing.

[waccamatt 8]

That was an awesome video. The transformation that the Vista has undergone is nothing short of amazing.

[Spartan 654]

Wow I had no idea that Sidney Park used to look like that. No wonder it had a bad reputation!

I've also never heard of the South Columbia Development Corporation. Its good to know that they exist. The video said that they merged with the CDC, but given their separate websites, I'm not seeing where that is the case. Does anyone know if this is true?

[CorgiMatt 79]

It's definitely true. Not sure about the website - I guess they just haven't taken it down or something.

[BryCola 0]

It's funny...but I've lived in Columbia all of my life, and I can't really remember when the vista was just rundown warehouses. I was 17 in 1983 when the term "Congaree Vista" first became popular...so you'd think I'd have SOME recollection.

[waccamatt 8]

I can remember when the only 3 places I ever went in the Vista was the Candy warehouse on Lincoln Street (Mike & Ikes, yes!), the old Amtrak Station (currently Blue Marlin) and Whit-Ash on Gervais. Speaking of Whit-Ash, they need to renovate something awful. I'd like to see some more stylish furniture stores open in the Vista, too, like the Bohemian Home Store or (wishful thinking), Ligne Roset.

[johnpro318 33]

The Vista has made an INCREDIBLE transformation! All my life it has been an up and coming place where we used to brag about going to hang out. It's only going to get better!

[sonofaque86 0]

Wow Columbia looked a mess back then

[krazeeboi 115]

^LOL, pretty much.

I only wish the city was just as dedicated to sustaining Main Street (which was relatively healthy when plans were underway to revitalize the Vista) when it turned its attention to the Vista. Hindsight is always 20/20 as they say.

[Captain Worley 0]

I think what happened was that they were concentrating on fixing blighted areas (Vista and Sidney Park)and lost track of stores slowly closing on Main Street. It changed slowly enough so that no one really noticed until it started getting really bad. In their defense, I don't think Main Street ever got as bad as the Vista was back in the day. not by a long shot.