mainstreeter
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Posts posted by mainstreeter
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The opening of Mast General in Greenville was a real turning point in Main Street's revitilization. It was the first, and really the only 'major' retailer to open here until the national retailer Staples opened a year or so ago.
Having an established and significant sized regional retailer open on Main Street would be a HUGE vote of confidence. It would shoot big holes in the idea that Main Street can't become a retail corridor again [a view I have never agreed with].
Mast General is about as good as Columbia could possibly get for this space. Mast appeals to locals and tourists alike, and has a broad enough inventory to offer something for everyone. Whenever showing visiting friends the town, Mast General is the 'must' stop on the tour of DT Greenville, second only to Falls Park/Riverplace.
This would do FAR, FAR more than the Art Museum did, or the Nickelodeon would do, for Main Street. If this happens, pop open some champagne, it would be not good news, but GREAT news.
vicupstate - I couldn't agree more. This would be the most significant thing to happen to Main Street Columbia and a real feather. I have heard the same rumblings that it is Mast looking to purchase the Louries Bldg.
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Announcing Posh, Perk Up by Starbucks and the Main Street Tavern, on Main Street in the Sheraton. It is scheduled to open in a week. Check out Temple Ligon's article and pics from The Columbia Star newspaper.
http://www.thecolumbiastar.com/news/2008/0...siness/034.html
I can't wait for it to open to check it out. Looks like a great asset for Columbia
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Looks like the fire station is getting ready to gear up http://www.thestate.com/nation/story/421796.html
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Rising High has paper on the windows and said it was closed for remodeling. Anyone know anything? Maybe they will make it a Congaree Grill like 5 pts one? It would be nice to have a little change.
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From thestate.comI heard that Wachovia is suppose to announce on April 1 some MAJOR exterior and interior renovations to 1441 Main (across from Art Museum) and making it their HQ for Cola
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I heard that Wachovia is suppose to announce on April 1 some MAJOR exterior and interior renovations to 1441 Main (across from Art Museum) and making it their HQ for Cola
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Here are the minutes pertaining to the Main Street retail strategy from the city council meeting in September (pp. 3-5). I think Kirkman Finlay asked the most pertinent question regarding what might most hinder this strategy from being fully realized, which is the homeless situation. Unfortunately, since the city decided to abandon the community-wide strategy for dealing with the problem (which was the best solution IMO), I think this will prove to be a real roadblock in the long run.
Why is Finlay asking what is being done about the homeless? Isn't that City Councils Job to figure out? What is he doing about it? His buddy Tomlin pretty much screwed up the centralized homeless shelter. So what, don't invest money on Main St until the homeless issue is resolved? You cannot stop economic development until all the problems go away. If you look at Main Street from 7 years ago until now - it has made tremendous strides - especially since no TIF was created to help spur growth in that area and no development corporation helping make deals happen.
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I went to this tonight WOW. I did a casual head count and I had over 1000 people on Main St tonight. The retail stores were packed, condos packed, music, dance, art,... it was absolutely amazing
comingtocolumbia - I have never seen Main Street so crowded - entertainment was great and it was great to see what Main St. can become. Hope they keep up the momentum
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OK, here are some renderings.
SpringHill Suites:
Center Vista:
Man - I think everything in the Vista is starting to look the same. I would like to see some flair - but the design group at the city might not accept that I guess?
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This looks like it will be a fun event. I may be out of town- but hope I can make it
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This is from City Center Partnerships enewsletter. Has anyone gone? I might check it out this weekend.
Main Street Jazz is a Hit!
Come see what everyone is raving about! Enjoy live jazz and delicious brunch from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Sundays at Tapp
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Now that the lot is empty (since construction is completed at 1st citizen) on the corner of Main and Lady, what is happening with it? Anyone know?
What do you guys this the best use of this empty lot is?
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It's good that this is happening sooner rather than later, as it will soften the blow somewhat of SCANA's departure from downtown. I think mixed-use is the way to go here.
I wonder what Wachovia plans to do?
Rumor has it they are go to renovate and move into 1441 Main St. That is across Main Street from SCANA
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I have been to the Main Street Market a couple times this year and it is a lot better than previous years. They must have had like 40+ vendors. For those of you who don't know, it is held on Fridays in the spring and fall from I believe 10am to 2pm (something like that). I talked to some lady who lives in the condos across the street and she said Main St. gets better every day. I just hope it keeps going!
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I noticed there's some work going on at Boyd Plaza at Hampton and Main. Are they finally getting ready in install that fountain/statue?
YES - The new water sculpture is going up and should be done by end of June. It will look awesome!
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Learned last night that Friday May 11 is Jammin Java's last day. Grrrr. I really hate losing another unique, local venue. Anyone know what happened? Did the rent skyrocket with all the new neighbors coming in? I always thought JJ did a good business.
THAT SUCKS! but that might be a good place for Sherlock Holmes if they are still looking for space on Main St
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More good news. Charleton Hall is moving across the river. I have been thinking for the longest time what a gem the current Charleton Hall building could be. Someone told me he's going to sell it.
For $3.5 million it could be yours - sounds pretty high to me
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hmmm they want the city to pay $6.0 million for 200+ parking spaces? That is more than 2X higher than it should cost for a parking spot. Sounds like the structural and infrastructure of the building are tied into that #.
Other than that, I looks like a nice project.
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Argyle Social Club has some new things up on their website. It looks like it will be really unique... too bad it is so expensive to join. I wish I had an extra $10K burning a hole in my pocket... oh well... I am sure the people who have the money will enjoy it and I will just look through the window
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What do you mean by, "safety?"
Might be better said as perception of safety. He did mention city not replacing burn out lights and not enough lights on Main St.
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How much longer? How much longer will it take for Main St area to catch on?
The Nick is suppose to be opening next to Louries (Old Fox)
Sherlock Holmes Pub opening again
Bethel AME Church being converted to performing arts center
Argyle Social Club
New Botique Hotel - Sheraton
New Condos and Apt.
New Gourmet Deli Coming
Completion of streetscape this year.
Is this FINALLY the year for Main? HOPE SO
I actually had a conversation with a guy at Capitol Places and you could tell that he is frustrated on how quick Main St has progressed. He did not blame or say anything bad about the city, but I got the feeling he was dissapointed on how Main St has been neglected by the city on safety issues (lights) and ecomonic development.
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On another thread (POTD), Waccamatt said:
I've heard that latter statement mentioned more than once here, and I wanted to address it here.
You guys know I have a great deal of affection for Columbia, so what I'm saying here is constructive in nature. Firstly, with few exceptions, a city's main street (whether or not it actually goes by the name "Main Street") is what most people associate with downtown for a city. That said, I still think that, in the past, the city should have put just as much effort and energy into making Main Street a destination as it did for the Vista (and to a lesser extent Five Points--which is pretty much a self-sustaining district since it caters to the college crowd). The truth is, the city has dropped the ball when it comes to Main Street, and the successes in other parts of downtown do not negate that. Even with all of the current development along Main, I'm still not sure that the city's leaders truly understand what it will take to revive Main. They had a prime opportunity to demonstrate this with the First Citizens tower; while the tower itself is aesthetically pleasing--a great visual improvement at the street level compared to other structures like 1401 Main and 1441 Main--it still does basically nothing to generate pedestrian activity along Main. The fact is, new buildings alone won't do it. I haven't heard anything about simply improving the aesthetics of many of the shopfronts along the street, which are, frankly, in terrible condition. Are any grants for facade improvements in the works? Are any signage ordinances/design guidelines in place? We can clearly see what works for the Vista and Five Points--so why does it seem to be so hard to apply the same principles to Main?
AMEN. I been saying the same thing. The city has completely ignored the area and it is a disgrace. For Main St to succeed, they city will need to make a commitment with incentives, TIF, or some sort of financial package to improve the area. There has been substantial private investment with housing and new class a office space but it still has not made the difference many of us had hoped. TIME FOR THE CITY TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
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I ate at the new Chinese restaurant on Taylor St between Main and Sumter. It was actually clean and the food was awesome. Note that it is your traditional buffet type Chinese. So if you don't like that type you may not enjoy it as much as myself. Open at night too! yippie
Norfolk Development 2
in Norfolk
Posted
Hello Norfolk
I wanted to drop you guys a note about US Development and the Prioreshi's. They have forever changed the landscape of our Main Street in Columbia SC. When they came in the late 90's from NJ our downtown was a dump and people laughed at them saying "nobody will live down there". Now we have several hundred living on Main St and even more in our Vista area. They have invested a tremendous amount of money, time, and passion into our city and are very active in our city partnership and community. Congrats on saving what looks like a real cool building and gaining another developer who believes in your downtown.