West Columbia, Cayce & Downtown Lexington

[Captain Worley]

Don't get me wrong Spartan, there are already plenty of folks out walking. I just don't think it would encourage many more. The streets aren't THAT intimidating.

I've always wanted sidewalks, just because it makes the community look nicer and more finished. I'm really surprised it hasn't been done before.

[Spartan]

It's not all about safety. Its partially about how it makes the neighborhood look. Sidewalks, curb, and gutter make the street look finished and complete. That neighborhood would increase in value substantially if those were installed and if they fixed up the ratty old park. Granted that's in West Columbia, but it would still improve the area.

[digital_sandlapper]

It's not all about safety. Its partially about how it makes the neighborhood look. Sidewalks, curb, and gutter make the street look finished and complete. That neighborhood would increase in value substantially if those were installed and if they fixed up the ratty old park. Granted that's in West Columbia, but it would still improve the area.

Spartan, what ratty old park do you refer to in West Columbia?

[Spartan]

I don't know what it's called. It's over on B Avenue I think.

[johnpro318]

I really wish cities and neighborhood had the foresight to put sidewalks in neighborhoods. My family walks a lot since we've moved from NE Cola to West Columbia and they would be used a lot. Most of our neighborhood can be seen walking around and we live on an old 50s street that is used as a cut-through to get from Augusta Hwy to Platt Springs Rd. The road is extremely narrow and has ditches which causes it to be dangerous to walk down.

[Captain Worley]

I don't know what it's called. It's over on B Avenue I think.

The one with the tennis courts and log cabin?

I really wish cities and neighborhood had the foresight to put sidewalks in neighborhoods. My family walks a lot since we've moved from NE Cola to West Columbia and they would be used a lot. Most of our neighborhood can be seen walking around and we live on an old 50s street that is used as a cut-through to get from Augusta Hwy to Platt Springs Rd. The road is extremely narrow and has ditches which causes it to be dangerous to walk down.

Dreher Road? No way would I walk on that one.

[johnpro318]

The one with the tennis courts and log cabin?

Dreher Road? No way would I walk on that one.

Close... It's actually a road that cuts to a road that links to Platt Springs Rd. People used to not know about it but evidently word got out. One of our neighbors contacted DOT and evidently 500 cars come down our road everyday and there are only probably 30-40 houses on it. I guess we are actually out of the "city" of west columbia and cayce so this plan wouldn't help us in the least.

[Captain Worley]

OK, I got you now.

[Spartan]

The one with the tennis courts and log cabin?

It has a ball field, maybe some tennis courts. I don't recall the log cabin, but it may be there for all I know.

[Captain Worley]

They are all right close to one another, all on the corners.

[Spartan]

At any rate, I would rather see that become a better neighborhood park. It's something that every good neighborhood needs to become "great."

[growingup15]

I Love the New Greeting sign for the West columbia Side. As soon as you cross the Gervais st bridge yo will see it. its nice.

[emerging.me]

I Love the New Greeting sign for the West columbia Side. As soon as you cross the Gervais st bridge yo will see it. its nice.

I think it the sign structure itself looks fairly nice, but they should have chosen a better font. ... Always a design critic.

[camrenjames]

Hello Everyone, this is only my second post, but I follow you guys all the time and love the information you discuss. I have one question. I know that the Rivertown development was put on hold last summer, but has anyone heard the status of this development lately? Also, I found this website and i'm not sure if anyone has posted a rendering of it, but you can view a rendering of Rivertown at www.cometorivertown.com or www.congareeparkdevelopment.com. Thanks you guys

[waccamatt]

This is the first I've heard of that development unless it was the one proposed for Meeting Street between Alexander and State in West Columbia. If so, I had never seen any renderings of it.

[johnpro318]

This is the first I've heard of that development unless it was the one proposed for Meeting Street between Alexander and State in West Columbia. If so, I had never seen any renderings of it.

I think that it is the first renderings for the property you are talking about.

These renderings seem to be from fall of 2007 btw.

[emerging.me]

I think Rivertown is essentially off. I'm kind of glad. Noticed that rendering a while back. It lacks the funkiness of the State Street shops. Keep West Columbia weird!

[emerging.me]

This is a good place to note... Congaree Park Development guy, Wade Caughman, is turning the old West Columbia bus station -- did not know there was one... it's across Meeting St. from What-A-Burger and Jimmy's Citgo -- into loft-style condos. There are only a few units. They come with IKEA gift cards, I noted on the sign, so I assume the style will be modern.

[BrasilnSC]

I actually like those renderings......it's very urban and the scale looks to fit nicely in that area. I didn't see any mentions of residential units though.

[Spartan]

Its very rare that I say this so early on... but that looks good. It links in well with the development on State Street, and it has huge sidewalks and fits in in terms of architecture and scale.

[CorgiMatt]

It appears Cayce and Lexington County want to eat up less land in future development. Could we some day see something akin to an urban growth boundary for the west metro, or at least more density where development occurs?

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/894075.html

[krazeeboi]

Sounds like increased density is in the works, which is good. It will be a more efficient use of land.

[Spartan]

I read it to mean that they can cram more crappy housing into less space. I guess its technically a density increase, but sprawl is still sprawl even when its denser sprawl. (1/4 acres lots versus 1/2 acre lots). They are still going to negatively impact the area unless meaningful land use regulations are adopted in Lexington County and its towns.

[BrasilnSC]

With the town of Lexington owning more than half of the capacity, I don't see sprawl slowing unless some regulations are put in place like Spartan said.

[emerging.me]

This is a callback to a discussion we were having in the Main Street thread about what's generally considered "downtown." My question: Do you guys consider State St. and urbanized areas on the West Columbia side "downtown"?