Historic Congaree Vista Developments

[CorgiMatt]

The ribbon-cutting for the Vista pedestrian greenway tunnel is today at 5:30. The mayor will also make an announcement about phase two of Columbia's bicycle-friendly initiative.

http://www.columbiabusinessreport.com/news/44368-columbia-to-open-greenway-tunnel?rss=0

[Spartan]

The ribbon-cutting for the Vista pedestrian greenway tunnel is today at 5:30. The mayor will also make an announcement about phase two of Columbia's bicycle-friendly initiative.

http://www.columbiab...ay-tunnel?rss=0

What happened with this? What were the additional announcements? Can anyone post some pics?

[Spartan]

oh yeah i know why they do that. i had a meeting with the Zoning office in DT and the reason they pull it back from the street it so they can build higher.

height restriction is limited by how far you pull the building from the street. the further back the higher you can go.

I doubt that is the case in downtown. You might see that as a typical zoning ordinance in suburban locations, but most urban cores have moved away from that practice even under a standard Euclidean zoning model.

You should take some time to read about New Urbanism. In an urban environment, the notion of "setbacks" (which is the term for the buffer, or separation, from the street and adjacent properties and land uses) is a big no-no. Green space is a good thing if it is public. Green space (like parks and plazas) can make a great urban environment. Urban front lawns like this development will create are generally a bad idea.

However, that doesn't mean that there aren't appropriate cases for it. I tend to take a pretty hard stance against suburban designs because I think that the goal of any downtown core should be to create the most urban product possible. In the context of this building, being next to an interstate off ramp and located near other 'institutional' land uses, the site plan actually makes sense.

http://www.cnu.org/Intro_to_new_urbanism

[CorgiMatt]

What happened with this? What were the additional announcements? Can anyone post some pics?

It opened and people have wasted no time in utilizing it as an everyday part of the Vista's fabric. Phase II from Finlay Park to Elmwood is funded and should be finished in 12 to 18 months.

http://www.wltx.com/...?storyid=193203

http://www.thestate.com/2012/07/07/2346330/vista-greenway.html#storylink=misearch

Edited July 17, 2012 by CorgiMatt

[Spartan]

Wow, that's awesome! What a great asset for Columbia. I bet we'll start seeing "greenway-oriented development" in Columbia before too long.

[krazeeboi]

Hopefully it will also put the new waterfront park on the fast track.

[krazeeboi]

Some of the other hotel owners and residents in the Vista are concerned about the approved height of the proposed Hyatt Place, which will be 17 feet higher than neighboring buildings. However, the plans for Center Vista which got scrapped due to the recession had that building a little higher, so this one should be a go. City council approved the project 5-0 and another vote will likely take place at next month's meeting.

The article in the Free Times said there are actually no height restrictions in the area. I was under the impression that there were???

[johnpro318]

Some of the other hotel owners and residents in the Vista are concerned about the approved height of the proposed Hyatt Place, which will be 17 feet higher than neighboring buildings. However, the plans for Center Vista which got scrapped due to the recession had that building a little higher, so this one should be a go. City council approved the project 5-0 and another vote will likely take place at next month's meeting.

The article in the Free Times said there are actually no height restrictions in the area. I was under the impression that there were???

Most of people against it are the other hotels in the area... imagine that. Build it and help finish the street wall in that area and create great density. Let's go already!

[krazeeboi]

I think city council will approve it. They've already had to go through so much with this site, from the clean-up of the site to the changing the original design of the original project (Center Vista, which I still would have preferred to see) to granting approval for its height to scrapping it altogether to developing the old Columbia Supply building separately (and getting plans approved for the singular project) to tweaking the height and design for the proposed hotel to constantly changing the back design to mitigate the impact of the surface lot fronting Lady. Give this thing the green light.

[growingup15]

has anyone seen the new Digital Billboard in the vista now? Its nice and i would love to see more if not Some animated Digital Signs down there in the Vista at night.

[CorgiMatt]

has anyone seen the new Digital Billboard in the vista now? Its nice and i would love to see more if not Some animated Digital Signs down there in the Vista at night.

It definitely beats the one it replaced. That thing was huge.

[krazeeboi]

City council unanimously approved the Hyatt Hotel development for Gervais Street on yesterday.

[lucjanrc]

Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming to the Vista.

https://www.columbia.sc.gov/cocextra...s_619_Eval.pdf

[TheCarolinaKing]

nor this one

[CorgiMatt]

Try this one. It appears the corner of Gervais and Wayne will be landscaped parking for the restaurant with the restaurant facing Wayne. In an ideal world, 100% of corners would be built out, but landscaped parking will beat the little boarded up gas station that's been sitting there for years.

https://www.columbia.sc.gov/cocextranet/assets/File/PlanningDevelopmentServices/BoardsCommisions/Agendas/PDS_DDRC_Packet_2012_10_11_Gervais_619_Eval.pdf

[krazeeboi]

Try this one. It appears the corner of Gervais and Wayne will be landscaped parking for the restaurant with the restaurant facing Wayne. In an ideal world, 100% of corners would be built out, but landscaped parking will beat the little boarded up gas station that's been sitting there for years.

https://www.columbia...is_619_Eval.pdf

If you continue to read the application, you'll see: "Although the building meets the guidelines, the site design has a number of items that do not meet

the zoning code or guidelines. As such, staff is unable to recommend approval of this application." There are 15 items that need to be addressed before approval is granted. I'm glad to see this; although it's good to see the former Capital City Cycles building being proposed for reuse, parking does NOT need to front Gervais for this development, especially with the relatively new development next door having been done right, being built right up to the street.

[growingup15]

Try this one. It appears the corner of Gervais and Wayne will be landscaped parking for the restaurant with the restaurant facing Wayne. In an ideal world, 100% of corners would be built out, but landscaped parking will beat the little boarded up gas station that's been sitting there for years.

https://www.columbia...is_619_Eval.pdf

oh thats nice

[krazeeboi]

The state museum will break ground today on a long-planned major expansion to its facilities. The $23 million, 70,000-square-foot area is called Windows to New Worlds and features a state-of-the-art observatory, digital dome planetarium and theater. It also features a 4D theater to the museum's four floors of art, history, natural history and science

.

[krazeeboi]

Boeing provided a $1 million grant toward the state museum expansion. The funds will support educational and outreach programs at the downtown Columbia museum. The live images and science lessons associated with the Boeing Observatory will be streamed online, allowing students in South Carolina classrooms, or around the world, to join in the learning.

[krazeeboi]

Have the Adluh renovations begun yet? Anybody know?

[BrasilnSC]

I have not seen any activity there.

[CorgiMatt]

Three shots showing some perspective on the relationship between the State Museum's observatory that's under construction and the Hampton Street-Lady Street- Gervais Street-via-Huger Street connection: 

[lucjanrc]

Rumors are intensifying that Urban Outfitters will open a store in the former Charlton Hall auction house on Gervais street next to Longhorn

Edited January 22, 2013 by lucjanrc

[SCxpBrussel]

I just searched on Twitter and saw one random, unofficial source saying an Urban Outfitters had been "confirmed" for downtown Columbia. I don't trust this, at least not yet, but there sure is a good amount of smoke indicating a possible fire.

[lucjanrc]

Four indications that Urban Outfitters is coming to the Charlton Hall building:

1. They were already bidding downtown on Main Street last year

2. The free times said last week that Urban Outfitters was slated for the Vista

3. The state newspaper reported a few weeks ago that the Charlton Hall building will get a major overhaul

4. Also the state newspaper reported a few weeks ago that a 'game changing' tenant is to be announced in the Vista

Edited January 23, 2013 by lucjanrc