Historic Congaree Vista Developments

[Captain Worley]

I went down to Lady Street yesterday after work, and I was pretty impressed. Golf clap to Columbia. Thge only place that really needs work is that block next to Huger Street.

It was the first close look at I had at the live/work units, and I was impressed. I wouldn't pay whatthey are asking for them, but it i a neat idea.

The view on Lady looking up towards Assmebly was really nice. I wish I had my digicam to snap a few pictures.

[krazeeboi]

The block next to Huger should soon see a Springhill Suites hotel (on the same side as Renaissance Plaza, the live-work units) and a 1- or 2-story office building (on the opposite side).

[Spartan]

The whole Kline Steel site redevelopment should create a lot of weight on that end of Lady St, and hopefully pull it up. That last block between Pulaski and Huger has a lot of potential as it still has mostly older buildings/ warehouses to fix up.

[krazeeboi]

I agree about the Kline Steel project. It will extend Lady across Huger and that should be quite the intersection once all the projects are complete.

[BrasilnSC]

I know they are trying to raise funds for the Kline site projects, but has anyone heard anything else about it.

[lifer]

I agree about the Kline Steel project. It will extend Lady across Huger and that should be quite the intersection once all the projects are complete.

developer told a friend of mine they were dealing with site cleanup issues and that was taking a while. No idea how accurate that is but i did notice a backhoe had been unloaded there when I drove by yesterday

[CorgiMatt]

I saw three men, one with blue prints in his hand, on the sidewalk in front of the Hiller Hardware building on Lady Street yesterday afternoon. The State this morning says developers intend to make that development, including the buildings across the street, a place for destination shopping.

[Istvan]

i've been experiencing the "new" Lady for a while (i take it coming back from Publix.) although i miss the Meritage, it's nice to have a WW downtown, and i saw a hell of a lot of people there yesterday.

[mr. chips]

Now that they are building several parking garages in the Vista area, does anyone know if these buildings will include ground-level shops and other places that will give it "life" on the street? For example, the parking garage associated with the new Hilton hotel. If that is not being built with little shops and businesses on the street, then that area will be very depressing, especiallly with the Transportation Department building next door. It would be a missed opportunity for enlivening that part of the Vista.

[CorgiMatt]

On NPR this morning, the South Carolina Business Review with Mike Switzer did a fantastic spot on Vista Lights. He and his guest talked about what the Vista used to be and what it is now, and the growth. This will be the 21st Vista Lights.

[BrasilnSC]

Now that they are building several parking garages in the Vista area, does anyone know if these buildings will include ground-level shops and other places that will give it "life" on the street? For example, the parking garage associated with the new Hilton hotel. If that is not being built with little shops and businesses on the street, then that area will be very depressing, especiallly with the Transportation Department building next door. It would be a missed opportunity for enlivening that part of the Vista.

The Hilton parking garage will have retail, 2 or 3 spaces I think, facing Lincoln St and the Convention Center. Not sure about the others.

[krazeeboi]

How do you guys feel about the American Apparrel, Savoy, and Wild Wings buildings not being built up to the actual sidewalk and the strip of "island parking" that exists between the buildings and the street?

[digihoop]

How do you guys feel about the American Apparrel, Savoy, and Wild Wings buildings not being built up to the actual sidewalk and the strip of "island parking" that exists between the buildings and the street?

Its not too bad really but it definately changes the feel of the area to be more like a small strip mall.

Also, to be exact the building American Apparel doesn't have a parking lot between it and the street.

[Captain Worley]

Parking between the building and street is OK with me.

[BrasilnSC]

I would have liked to see all the parking in the back, but it's really not bad. At least it's just one row of cars, not a huge lot.

[krazeeboi]

Also, to be exact the building American Apparel doesn't have a parking lot between it and the street.

Thanks for the correction; I knew the Wild Wings building and the ones next to it did, but I wasn't sure if that extended all the way down to the American Apparel building. At any rate, it isn't bad, but I don't really prefer it. I hope new buildings are built right up to the sidewalk.

[waccamatt]

I think as long as it is only a few parking places in front it's ok, but I like the feel better when buildings are built right up to the street with the parking hidden in back.

[Captain Worley]

I believe there might be setback issues with the buildings. From the owners point of view, they'd rather use the space between the road and the building for SOMETHING, so they put in a row of parking spaces rather than a lawn.

[Spartan]

If they continue to have parking on Lady St infront of setbacks (as opposed to on the street itself) they will never become King St. I haven't seen this myself, except for at a couple of grandfathered places. Next time I'm in the Cola area I will have to go check this out.

[CorgiMatt]

Those buildings were constructed when setback was still the rule in that area. If they were just now going before the architectural design board, they would have to be built up to the curb to meet masterplan guidelines. Incidently, the parking garage/retail complex that is to be built at Lincoln and Lady has been approved architecturally. Construction should start before too long. Also, the parcel at the end of the strip of stores anchored by The Backpacker is for sale, the parcel that fronts Lady Street, across from Renaissance (sp) Plaza.

[krazeeboi]

Do you know if there are any renderings of the parking garage avaialble, CorgiMatt?

I noticed that there are several parcels for sale downtown these days. Wish I had some free-flowing pockets to snatch a few of them up.

[CorgiMatt]

Do you know if there are any renderings of the parking garage avaialble, CorgiMatt?

I noticed that there are several parcels for sale downtown these days. Wish I had some free-flowing pockets to snatch a few of them up.

No, I don't know where you can go to see a rendering. I saw the architectural review board hearing on Cable channel 2, but they didn't even show it on there. Their camera work in those meetings is very primitive and they seldom show renderings. I've been meaning to email city council about that, because the viewer seldom gets to see renderings of anything in their meetings either.

[krazeeboi]

OK, thanks for the info.

[krazeeboi]

From city council's agenda for the next upcoming meeting:

Ordinance No.: 2006-096

[krazeeboi]

Upon Spartan's suggestion, I decided to post a few Lady Street shots here so those not familiar with the area can have some visuals to go by and also so we can have something by which to visually gauge the forthcoming progress (the first two are by Firefox):