victory

I remember the street party for its unveiling. I like Blue Sky, as he has created a lot for his hometown, and wish this situation had not occurred. Hopefully, it can be relocated somewhere in town where people can once again enjoy it. https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/news/busted-plug-blue-sky-columbia-sc-fire-hydrant/article_b09c7484-d805-11ee-ae2d-f7cc1a36672a.html

https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article286062091.html?tbref=hp

https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article286094676.html

It sold out in about a day and a quarter. I've got two tickets in Section 907, and will be taking my daughter as her high school graduation gift. This match is a big win for the 803! Anybody on here going?

She will be a very good advocate for Cola! https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/carolina/gamecocks-aliyah-boston-columbia-tourism/article_59c213d6-bdec-11ee-8357-97eab2e50fa8.html

And so it begins. Scout Motors is here. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/400-new-homes-blythewood/101-8d5e9cd8-c247-445f-a8b1-1e9f3c87165b

Anyone else heard the rumor Man U and Liverpool will play a friendly at Williams Brice on August 3? The official announcement is expected in March. Definitely buying tix. What a party that will be!

Lots of changes coming to USC's campus. https://www.dailygamecock.com/article/2024/01/usc-proposes-new-student-union-other-major-campus-renovations-to-help-accommodate-student-growth-news-ribero

As a former rugby player, I am stoked about the news Charlotte is getting an MLR expansion team. I live in Cola, so its only about an hour and a half away. I hope to take in a few matches. Honestly, I'd rather go to Memorial Stadium than the BOA. Parking will be less of a headache, and surely ticket prices will be more in the average Joe's range. Plus, the beer there will be just as cold.

Sad news today. Rockaways Athletic Club will serve its last pimento cheese burger, and pour its last libations, Sunday night. This was a place that truly felt like home away from home. I had so many good times there..in my 20's, 30's, 40's, and as recently as two weeks ago. I spent every Monday for two years straight, in the 90's, at Rockaways for 25 cent shrimp and oysters and pitchers of Pilsner Urquell, with my crew of degenerates. When the power went out in Shandon, it was where we all flocked, not because the kitchen was serving food, but because the beer was cold, and because I knew that everyone in my friend circle would show up there. It was a place with no signage-you had to know about it, to even notice it from the street. Everyone was welcome..black and white, blue collar and professional..everybody..that is, as long as you knew the rules. The rules, simply put were to treat all with respect, and don't ever complain about anything- that would get you banned for life, and that was a punishment beyond all punishments. The old place (the real RAC) burned in 2002. The new place opened in a new building a block away in 2004. It was too bright, and clean..reminded me of an Applebees. It never really recaptured the original ambiance. However, the people still came, and there were many, many good times still had. RIP Rockaways. Your demise is unfortunately just another example of a local institution being bulldozed for a Walgreens or developed into some new restaurant (see Yesterdays, which is now Ruby Sunshine), which lacks character and characters. The developer is local, so here's to hoping the restaurant space being leased, will at least pay some homage to the legacy of what once was. https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/business/rockaway-rosewood-sc-columbia-closure-bar-restuarant/article_5b4879b8-b47b-11ee-b1d1-2367d6a75e52.html

https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/business/piecewise-cayce-opening-blum-closing-columbia-sc/article_c5ca4832-b158-11ee-8ed2-f7cb34c86a82.html Piecewise will open in the former Blum Coffee spot, on Devine, on Jan 22. It will be my new "local". I live steps from Devine, and have been spoiled in being able to make a short walk to Blum and Azalea (another locally owned coffee shop). Apparently, the owners of Blum are selling only because it has become too much for them driving back and forth, handling business at their other location in Chas. Guys, I love living here, and its only getting better.

Work may now resume at Scout. https://scdailygazette.com/briefs/scout-motors-can-restart-construction-on-2b-electric-vehicle-plant-in-sc/

Pickle Garden on the River. Interesting concept: pickleball and craft beer. Right next to the zoo. Should easily be a success. https://news.yahoo.com/pickleball-beer-garden-combo-planned-161450498.html

The condos/apts at Unity Park look solid. My daughter, who lives in Greenville, takes me to that park every time I'm in town. Super nice. Have they finished the retail/restaurant expansion yet? I read there will be several new restaurant offerings, all of which sounded good (I like to eat).

The building itself is pretty bland looking, but I am always up for any adaptive reuse that puts the property back on the tax rolls, and stimulates economic growth and activity. I do, however, like the firetruck in the lobby. https://www.wistv.com/video/2024/01/03/city-columbia-approves-old-fire-station-be-converted-boutique-hotel-vista/

Excellent pics! Man, Charlotte is really filling out. Talk about density. It's amazing how that one light rail line created all this incredible development in South End. Keep up the good photography. I enjoy looking at these.

https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/business/shepherd-hotel-vista-downtown-columbia-boutique-hotel/article_5b8d592e-9dc0-11ee-aaed-9b2fd4f1cd4f.html A new boutique hotel and restaurant in the Vista.

They will start building at the end of 2024. I really wish this had happened first, and then the housing and retail components followed. THIS is what will sustain life to those businesses. Also, on a personal note, I am glad to see the emphasis of study which will be placed on dementia and Alzheimer's, https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/education/usc-medica-school-development-columbia-bullstreet/article_917e3aac-9dcb-11ee-b791-c3c98a7da48b.html#:~:text=COLUMBIA — The University of South,building to Columbia's BullStreet district.

This looks to be a terrific development! I really love the brick building. Solid retail included. Congrats, Greenville!

https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/business/usc-columbia-university-housing/article_6f906332-9521-11ee-bf85-ebf0e0d78471.html#:~:text=COLUMBIA — Site plans for VERVE,Columbia Planning Commission Dec. 14. Even a scaled down version of this project will add more density near the river, so still a win.

The zoo keeps getting better. https://www.wistv.com/2023/12/07/progress-made-expansion-plans-riverbanks-zoo-garden/

A new article on the WB Stadium area development plans. This focuses largely on athletic fields, and less on the actual stadium improvements, or any concrete info on retail/restaurant/hotel stuff. https://www.dailygamecock.com/article/2023/11/new-recreational-fields-could-be-coming-with-williams-brice-stadium-development-davisson-news

Real interesting numbers regarding short term rentals at Lake Murray. If I am interpreting this correctly, the demand is higher than (by 4X?) than Lake Norman outside Charlotte. https://columbiabusinessreport.com/how-lake-murray-in-columbia-evolved-from-energy-source-to-tourism-hotspot/

I can't dispute any of what you've said. Having lived here all my life, I've seen it first-hand, and been frustrated by how slow development has been. Things I thought would have already happened twenty years ago are still inching ahead at snail's pace. I am feeling good however, about a new accelerated pace on the horizon. The Vista is filling out, the environmental issues on the Congaree have been mitigated, making way for the development of a first-class riverfront park, Scout Motors is setting up shop in Richland County, and a huge development on and around Williams-Brice Stadium is imminent. Columbia's best days are coming.

Adding residential density in the Vista. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/vista-apartments/101-12a61a09-64e9-49e7-b532-fe70cdefce39