colasc

Renderings of the soon to be built Aloft hotel on Lady St, have been released, and are being reviewed by the city. I'm not crazy about what I see, but even without any architectural tweaks, it will be better to have than not.

I'm excited about Columbia hosting a round or two of the ladies' NCAA basketball tourney! I have no idea what sort of economic impact this will be, but hosting games in March is new for us, and I'm sure hotels and restaurants will be full!

No new news, here..I just wanted to fuss about the delay in building the Greene St. bridge until 2019. I know this has been mentioned here already, but I just re-read an article about the Greene St. landscaping/streetscaping project. It seems a long time to wait for something that isn't exactly like painting the Sistine Chapel. The Lady St. bridge was constructed near my office, and I had the opportunity to watch it cross the railroad tracks. I look forward to the bridge on Greene, a light at Huger, and Greene's extension to Williams St. This is truly going to be a great development for the city.

Speaking of the Kline site, have any new renderings been released? A few years ago, there were some good ones for what was being proposed at that time. All I'm aware of now is the preliminary sketch showing where the hotel will sit, office, apartments, etc. Also, how about some renderings for the apartments/condos slated for the area behind McD's directly across the street?

Hoping Charleston/N. Charleston gets Volvo. There was an article in the State recently on how SC has been beating NC out and stealing some of its companies. With the port and rail lines there, along with I-26 and the airport, it would seem a logical fit.

Jonez has a Facebook page, I saw today. Not much information on it. It says it will be located in the "heart of the Vista". Where might that be?

A couple of new businesses are soon to open in the Vista. "Jonez" is opening in April, and appears to be an R and B/soul music place. The other, as had previously been announced is "Twin Peaks", which apparently is a glorified Hooters. I'm not sure I'm too excited about the direction in which some of the Vista's development is headed, but I'm hoping both places will surprise me in a good way.

Article in The State today on billion dollar plan to make Cola's downtown easier/safer to navigate for cyclists, pedestrians, etc. www.thestate.com

I apologize if someone has already answered this, but who knows what is going into the space at the corner of Gervais and Pulaski, which was once Carolina Wings? On a similar note, I noticed today work is being done at the corner of Gervais and Park for the arrival of a Panera Bread.

It really sounds as though Hughes will do a very good job with this project. At one time, I believed this would be another Village at Sandhill, which is really a suburban style development with nothing particularly original in it. There are tons of VAS style developments in cities around the country. However, I believe this project will be many miles better, as it will preserve some structures of historical significance, bring in stores and restaurants unlike all the plastic, "Anywhereville USA" variety, and will feature baseball and concerts. It can be easily accessed from anywhere in the Midlands, and will have some green spaces. I am looking forward to the first round of retail announcements. I'm drinking the Columbia Common kool-aid!

I guess the article did go a bit far in that comparison, as most jobs generated would certainly not be high paying ones, and many in construction will be temporary. However, it has got to be a good thing for Cola's downtown. Speaking of Charleston, I'm excited about its plans for the Lockwood Dr Extension area (Horizon Project). I used to work there for many years, and it will be great to get rid of all those surface lots.

Today's "The State" has an article about Columbia Common, the baseball stadium, and a video, well worth watching. Also, despite no one knowing which retailers have signed leases, there are 25 restaurants on board, all of which will be new to SC and/or Cola. www.thestate.com

That's a good question. Obviously during games and other events at the CLA, there are tons of cars, and perhaps at other times, it pretty light.

Has any more information come to light about a new "tower" on Main, which would house the City's administrative offices, and other tenants? This was something Mayor Benjamin spoke about recently. I wonder what would constitute a "tower"/"skyscraper" anyway..

I have thought for a while Lincoln Street near the new student dorms and CLA, should have traffic signals. It is already a bit of a cluster even though they have apparently added a three way stop at one of those intersections. With the addition of hundreds of more students to that area, many of whom will be on foot, I really think for everyone's safety they should install one or more signals. Any thoughts for those of you who may travel this area frequently as I do?

Driving down Huger today, I was able to have a glimpse up Greene St. I was looking eastward, towards downtown. It really is going to be a great thoroughfare to connect USC with the riverfront.

Trying to mimic the look of the Gervais Street Bridge, no doubt. Looks good.

Great to see all the construction activity, as well as increased activity on this board. I only wish Charleston's board would pick up a bit, as after my hometown of Columbia, Charleston is my next favorite city in the state, and one of the best in the country.

Old Chicago must be close to opening. A co-worker has taken a part-time job there as a waitress, and has already had her training.

Good pics! Many thanks!

Yes, this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, something like this will help bridge the psychological gap that exists between the Vista and Main St. I suppose eventually Assembly St improvements will happen there, which will also help pedestrians feel safer to cross.

An earlier article in the State stated it was unclear if the apts/condos on this corner would force the bus station to move. I hope the development takes up that entire block. The bus station is truly an eyesore.

Does anyone have renderings of the proposed student apts at the corner of Harden and Gervais? I had looked at a link someone had posted earlier, to a zoning board application, but for whatever reason, the image(s) did not reveal themselves. That would be a true miracle if that block could be redeveloped. Also, has anyone else heard whether those plans would get that damn bus station out of there? I really liked the proposal which came out several years back of making one transportation centre where the Amtrak station sits, on Pulaski.

Great to see some movement on the Horizon project. I'm a lifelong Columbian, but love Charleston, and there is a lot of potential in the Lockwood Ext area. I used to work on that street when traveling to Chas on business, and it would be great to see all this come to fruition. Fingers crossed.

I thought I had posted earlier today on this, but I'm sure it was operator error. Sasaki Associates' plan to develop Greene to the river is on. Construction, planting trees, and whatnot, begins in March. I was somewhat dismayed to see the bridge over the rr tracks may not be built until 2019, but if they can begin work on the waterfront park, and retail/office space on that side of the tracks now, then it will truly be a great day when the ribbon is cut in the middle of the bridge.