victory

Thank you for taking those. It will be neat to juxtapose those with pictures of the development there a year from now.

Looks pretty nifty. I'd like to see his plans for the "entertainment complex" he intends to build (possibly housing a cinema), should the Convention Center be expanded. The Moe Levy's project sits directly across Lady St from Don Tomlin's 29 story residential tower.

Crosshill Market is getting a Midwood Smokehouse this fall. Apparently there are several in Charlotte. Anyone eaten there, and what sort of BBQ do they specialize in?

Story in the State about Killian's Crossing, bringing two "national" brand restaurants to the development in Chic Fil A, and Applebees..yikes. I pray Columbia Common will be upscale. Northeast Cola/Blythewood just doesn't have the demographics to sustain anything upscale, so I'm afraid Killian's Crossing will be much the same as Village at Sandhill. Columbia Common needs to be marketed regionally as a real shopping/entertainment destination.

Hughes will certainly be pressed for names at the Aug 11 meeting.

Just to be clear, I wasn't endorsing the relocation of such services. I am simply saying it is a problem, and will continue to be if we continue to simply look the other way. I don't know if it is a problem that can be "solved", but it most certainly can be improved.

I wanted to write about a serious problem in my hometown, which is homelessness. I have a lot of compassion and sympathy for the many people who wander our downtown streets, with nowhere to go, and nothing to do. Many of them cope with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. I've lived here in Columbia for 44 years. I know this town so well, I even know the various homeless persons: there was the Peruvian Indian walking man (turns out he was actually from Vietnam, as reported in a story in the Free Times some years back), a guy who looks just like Santa Claus, Black Jesus/Pope ( a robe wearing, barefoot man), and the latest human being I've seen a lot of , and in whom I've taken great interest-a psychotic young man, who walks all day, shouting angry remarks at invisible adversaries, and carrying about four bags (surely containing all his worldly possessions), but scaring the crap out of anyone, whose paths he crosses. I am not one to claim I have the answer; any town of some size has the problem of homeless persons. However, in my hometown, the two or three facilities charged with the care and protection of said persons, all lie within about six city blocks, on or just off Main Street, in the area the city wants to promote in its renaissance of development. Just this very week, I have been in close proximity with the aforementioned psychotic person. On Monday, upon reporting for work at my office near Finlay Park, he appeared, having just been sent on his way, no doubt, by the well intentioned folks at the Oliver Gospel Mission. I had just parked my car, and heard him shout something in my direction. I waived, thinking momentarily, and in my morning, under-caffeinated stupor, that he was greeting me. In fact, he was, but in a profane and threatening manner. I saw him again twice more, most recently yesterday, as I was collecting my daughter at art camp at the museum. He was walking on Main, numerous bags in hand, and across shoulders, cussing away as if someone had just run over his dog. I have deep and sincere concern for these folks. Budget cuts to mental health initiatives, and general apathy from a public that perceives them as throwaways, keeps these zombies walking, walking, walking, walking our streets. Again, I'm not here with an answer. However, I know this: if we don't fix this problem, or make it considerably better, we are not firing on all cylinders as a city. Additionally, Don Tomlin's luxury apartment towers, and the newly announced Main Street Public House, won't work. People need to feel safe. People don't like being molested by beggars. People won't invest their hard earned money in areas where safety is questionable. So, as I see it, we have a decision to make, collectively, as Columbians. We can't continue to sweep it under the rug. Would the CBD be better, cleaner, safer, without the mission, or the other services? I think the answer is undoubtedly a "yes". Should those services be relocated to allow our downtown to reach its full development potential? I don't know. Should there be more services, less services, more/different loitering laws, more enforcement of existing laws? I am unsure. I have never seen such explosive growth as our city now is enjoying-it makes me giddy with pride and excitement. However, one thing that has not changed, and must improve for all of our citizens to enjoy the full potential of our new period of growth, is for real energy, focus, and money (most likely), be directed as this problem. Sorry for the rant, but it is something that has been on my mind a lot recently, and something none of us can ignore downtown, if we are awake with our eyes open.

It's true. Chains are taking over because start ups can't afford the rent anymore. It has become too popular for its own good.

What was the date on that article? I feel like I read the same thing about 10 years ago. It came out in this week's Free-Times. Thompson spoke at the meeting about riverfront development. The Guinyards are a hell of a family, but they take their time in acting on such things. You don't get "do-overs" in this type of activity, so I respect the deliberate approach they're taking. Of course, personally, I want it all done yesterday! Ha.

Sounds like a positive development.

Yes, surface parking saps the energy out of a downtown, but this will probably be an improvement over the way it is now. I don't want to see it fail, but I am still not thrilled about Twin Peaks. I wish that location could have been a high end steak house. I'm a little disappointed it opened in the Vista, and hope there won't be any other businesses with faux antelopes, or whatever, greeting visitors to the nicest entertainment district in our city.

Was dropping off my daughter at art camp this morning at the museum, and noticed the front of the library has been decorated with some kind of new designs. Can anyone make out what in the heck they are? I'm thinking manatees.

No problem I was out today looking at all the areas projects and construction and I decided before i went home to go by the Bull St area. I've been meaning to take pictures of the Office building going up on the corner of Assembly and Blossom. they always have Steel beams up. I drove by that corner earlier tonight, but didn't have my camera. It will add some nice density to that corner.

Precisely.

Hey, I appreciate your taking those pictures..it is really happening!

"Thompson, meanwhile, described plans for a development on the brick kiln site near the Knox Abbot bridge, including a hotel, multi-family housing and pedestrian access to the nearby Parkland Plaza". This is information gleaned from an article in the Free Times, on riverfront development. Thompson is the spokesperson for the Guinyard family, which owns so much of the land on both sides of the Congaree. If done right, this could be another spectacular develpment! I like that the kilns have been preserved. Any chance one gets to save and incorporate a piece of history into a modern development- that's good lovin'!

The Vista McDonald's is undergoing some interior remodeling, according to the Columbia Star. I drove past it the other day and got a little excited thinking it was work on the apartments/condos expected to be built behind/near it. Unfortunately, I've heard NOTHING more about the project since its initial announcement. Is it still a go? Renderings anyone? On a more positive note, the Star also reports my favorite NY style pizza joint, Village Idiot, has opened its 3rd Cola location in Olympia! Love that pizza, and know it will do well there.

I look forward to seeing the renderings.

Seems I read a while back that Main St. was getting an Urban Outfitters. Any more word on that?

Well, my own hometown gets a lot of tough love from me, as it is fantastic during the Fall (football season) and in the Spring with all the festivals, but can be a bit lame at other times. Should we choose to spend another weekend there, we'll seek out a more hip neighborhood. We are big fans of Charleston, Savannah, and Asheville, but have found the some of the other bigger towns lamentably lacking in character.

My wife and I took a little weekend trip to Charlotte, only because its not far from Columbia, and the kids wouldn't be there. Stayed at the Rennaisance at South Park, where we shared lodging with the Houston Texans and the Secret Service. That circumstance was far more interesting than anything we saw at South Park Mall. Charlotte has a lot of money and clean looking people, but damn, its dull.

I'd really love to see more done with Main St's Arcade Building. It is modeled after the one in Milan, and while very small, is a jewel. It would be nice to see a few relevant shops land there. I like Hamlet's idea on the small mall, in as much for its ability to connect Main with the library area. It seems unlikely that a mall would fly, as these days they are all big sprawling masses in the burbs.

I think there's already a Chick Fil A a block away on Main, but i'm sure the retail will be something pizza, burger oriented.

Hey there. I post about Cola mainly, but enjoy your photos. I work all over the state, and have enjoyed watching Greenville's evolution. It is really a nice town. Keep up the good work!

Saw this a few days ago. Would be a shame. It will serve as a catalyst for all sorts of economic development which will benefit our state.