Columbia Economic Notes

[krazeeboi]

Columbia's lead is close to 20,000; I don't see Charleston overtaking us.

Actually, Columbia's lead is only about 6,000. Mayor Riley announced the Charleston population figure at 115K during this year's State of the City address, and the Central SC Alliance estimates Columbia's latest figure at 121K. Charleston is narrowing the gap.

It isn't just about more people moving into one city or the other, it is also about annexation. Both are doing a good job at that, considering how state law basically handcuffs municipalities when it comes to annexation, but I think the James Island incorporation fiasco serves as a big impetus for Charleston's annexations as of late.

Edited June 16, 2006 by krazeeboi

[smithc57]

Thats really interesting. In 2004 the census declared Charleston's population at 104,000 and now not even two full years later it is up to 115,000. Annexation must be frequent in that area. That is a 11,000 jump in less than 1 and 1/2 years.

[krazeeboi]

That's what annexation plus growth in the existing city limits can do. It's also possible that the Census Bureau underestimated the city's population. After all, aside from the official decennial census, the figures are only estimates. The municipalities themselves often have more accurate figures.

Edited June 16, 2006 by krazeeboi

[smithc57]

Just read an interesting article online about city populations. At first I believed that Columbia shoud have constructed the link between SC277 and I-126. But now I have a new look upon the situation. It is good that we have three interstates that surround our city. Many cities suffer tremdously because interstate spurs provide faster and more access to the suburbs and outer regions. With all of this inner city growth we have come to witness the city's job market shoud continue to rise.

[krazeeboi]

SC277 connecting with I-126 means Columbia would have no Bull Street campus, no Cottowtown, and no Elmwood Park.

[Chtimi]

Just read an interesting article online about city populations. At first I believed that Columbia shoud have constructed the link between SC277 and I-126. But now I have a new look upon the situation. It is good that we have three interstates that surround our city. Many cities suffer tremdously because interstate spurs provide faster and more access to the suburbs and outer regions. With all of this inner city growth we have come to witness the city's job market shoud continue to rise.

Americans invest massively in France because we are productive etc, but also because our cities are well connected with freeways and railroads. Columbia as a star of highways and railroads can become an "international door" easily, just reinforce the airport and get a symbol-monument. Greenville (where the french firm Michelin has its headquarters for North America) and Charleston have their own domain of development and participate to the success of the state thus the capital Columbia.

Anyway, I have calculated that Columbia will "outdistance" Charleston in population, Greenville-Spartanburg is particular as a two-headed metropolis.

[GamecockEngineer]

Just read an interesting article online about city populations. At first I believed that Columbia shoud have constructed the link between SC277 and I-126. But now I have a new look upon the situation. It is good that we have three interstates that surround our city. Many cities suffer tremdously because interstate spurs provide faster and more access to the suburbs and outer regions. With all of this inner city growth we have come to witness the city's job market shoud continue to rise.

I've toyed with the idea of joining 277 and 126 for a while. Not that I have any means to do so, but I was just thinkin. Ultimately, I've decided though, that Cola has greatly benefited from a lack of a DT interstate. Cola does however need a better route from CAE to DT.

[BryCola]

There was a discussion this week about turning that huge warehouse on Blossom Street (Palmetto Compress) into something. There was those that were afraid it would be torn down...but worry no more.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14840295.htm

“In the Vista, everyone wants the warehouse look, and this has the potential to be the funkiest thing in the area,” Bryant said.

Edited June 17, 2006 by BryCola

[waccamatt]

There was a discussion this week about turning that huge warehouse on Blossom Street (Palmetto Compress) into something. There was those that were afraid it would be torn down...but worry no more.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14840295.htm

[krazeeboi]

Americans invest massively in France because we are productive etc, but also because our cities are well connected with freeways and railroads. Columbia as a star of highways and railroads can become an "international door" easily, just reinforce the airport and get a symbol-monument. Greenville (where the french firm Michelin has its headquarters for North America) and Charleston have their own domain of development and participate to the success of the state thus the capital Columbia.

Anyway, I have calculated that Columbia will "outdistance" Charleston in population, Greenville-Spartanburg is particular as a two-headed metropolis.

A rail system between the state's major cities (and Charlotte), with Columbia as the focal point, would do wonders for South Carolina.

As far as the airport goes, I am uncertain of its future. I would imagine that many Columbians drive to Charlotte to fly.

Great news about the warehouse. I was hoping for something a little more innovative, but what has been proposed is great nonetheless. Pretty good price points as well. I, too, hope the numbers speak in the developer's favor.

[emerging.me]

There was a discussion this week about turning that huge warehouse on Blossom Street (Palmetto Compress) into something. There was those that were afraid it would be torn down...but worry no more.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14840295.htm

Edited June 19, 2006 by emerging.me

[krazeeboi]

Work will commence soon on the Inferno arena in Lexington County.

CAE lands new, non-stop flights to Chicago. The flights will be timed to connect with nonstop service to Shanghai. Good to see Columbia beefing up the airport a bit.

[BrasilnSC]

Hum, I've always wanted to visit Chicago. Now with a non-stop flight, I think I'll actually make it a reality. It is so convenient to fly out of Columbia, instead of driving to Charlotte and paying for parking, etc... I'd rather pay a little more for that convenience and to give the Columbia airport my business.

[krazeeboi]

There must not be a big difference between Columbia's and Charlotte's rates then. Greensboro's/Winston-Salem's airport is suffering due to the relative high prices of flights compared to Charlotte's. I'd hate to see Columbia's airport tank for this reason.

And you'll enjoy Chicago, I assure you.

[BrasilnSC]

I flew to NYC last year from Columbia to La Guardia for $200 (roundtrip), which I thought was a great deal. In May I flew to Hawaii from Columbia with a lay over in ATL for only $50 more than flying out of Charlotte. I think CAE can be very competetive if they keep their prices reasonable.

[pricemiller]

Hum, I've always wanted to visit Chicago. Now with a non-stop flight, I think I'll actually make it a reality. It is so convenient to fly out of Columbia, instead of driving to Charlotte and paying for parking, etc... I'd rather pay a little more for that convenience and to give the Columbia airport my business.

I have flown to columbia many times via non-stop flights fromChicago on United Espress. Good to hear that American is offering some competition in the market. I have had to use Charlotte a couple of times at last minute, when it is really difficult to get good fares, but always try to use CAE (Columbia) when I can. I wish Southwest would start in Columbia.

[waccamatt]

Columbia doesn't have a bad schedule. Its easy to get a nonstop flight to most major cities. I've flown nonstop from Columbia to Atlanta, NYC (LaGuardia and Newark), Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati and Chicago.

[The_sandlapper]

Hum, I've always wanted to visit Chicago. Now with a non-stop flight, I think I'll actually make it a reality. It is so convenient to fly out of Columbia, instead of driving to Charlotte and paying for parking, etc... I'd rather pay a little more for that convenience and to give the Columbia airport my business.

I loved Chicago! Pound for pound a great large city! I just got back from there a couple of weeks ago we stayed in Skokie but we just took the metra into town. Hopefully I will be able to call it my next home soon!

[waccamatt]

I had a great time in Chicago last summer. It is a cleaner version of New York.

[krazeeboi]

EM, you hear anything else on the hotel coming to the Vista?

[emerging.me]

EM, you hear anything else on the hotel coming to the Vista?

Yes... I can only say that it will not be as amazingly cool as it could have been. But it will still be nice.

[waccamatt]

Which hotel? The one next to Trustus, the one on Richland and Huger or another one?

[krazeeboi]

I think the one at Richland and Huger was to be an extended stay hotel; not that one, but the other one.

After going to the developer's website, I think I'm going to be underwhelmed by this one. It doesn't appear as though this company has any experience with urban hotels, only the usual interstate EIFS-clad crap. Also, the brands tend to be more on the economy side, and there's nothing wrong with that--but this one shouldn't be, it really deserves to be a step up due to its location. The "highest" brand the developer has experience with is Hilton, and we know it won't be that, since that's the convention center hotel brand. I'm thinking along the lines of maybe a Garden Inn or more likely Residence Inn or Courtyard, both by Marriott.

I sure hope the hotel that will be a part of the Kline project will be something a bit upscale, like a Westin or W or something like that.

Edited June 24, 2006 by krazeeboi

[krazeeboi]

Some prime Vista property is in the process of being cleaned up. The developers aren't saying for sure what will be built there, but they say some sort of mixed-used development is likely.

For about 100 years, a coal tar residue has been buried on the site, the former location of a gas manufacturing plant, the Columbia Gas Light Co. The cleanup is costing hundreds of thousands of dollars and involves scooping up the nonhazardous residue and hauling it to a Northeast Richland landfill. The next step in cleaning up the property includes cleansing the groundwater, which will last for about a year. Workers will put in a naturally occurring substance that cleans the groundwater.

The parcel is a little over 1

[CorgiMatt]

I think the one at Richland and Huger was to be an extended stay hotel; not that one, but the other one.

After going to the developer's website, I think I'm going to be underwhelmed by this one. It doesn't appear as though this company has any experience with urban hotels, only the usual interstate EIFS-clad crap. Also, the brands tend to be more on the economy side, and there's nothing wrong with that--but this one shouldn't be, it really deserves to be a step up due to its location. The "highest" brand the developer has experience with is Hilton, and we know it won't be that, since that's the convention center hotel brand. I'm thinking along the lines of maybe a Garden Inn or more likely Residence Inn or Courtyard, both by Marriott.

I sure hope the hotel that will be a part of the Kline project will be something a bit upscale, like a Westin or W or something like that.

The building's design will be up to Columbia's architectural review board. Remember, McDonald's isn't exactly the poster child for Vista-type architecture, but in Columbia they did a good job with it overall.