Around Town: Midtown
The heart of Columbia is the original city, built at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, near the geographic center of South Carolina. This is where the oldest neighborhoods are found, many of which are being refurbished by people who love older architecture and the undeniable charm of shady streets, wrap-around porches and children playing on sidewalks. I-126 begins downtown at Elmwood Avenue and connects the city to routes such as I-26 and I-20, used to reach the airport, Charleston, Spartanburg / Greenville, and Lake Murray. Rt. 277 comes into Bull Street and connects downtown with routes to the east and north like I-20 East and I-77 towards, Myrtle Beach and Charlotte. Many of the state's banking headquarters, corporate and legal offices and major medical facilities are located in Central Columbia. State government offices, the University of South Carolina and other major employers are situated downtown. The convenience of living nearby one's workplace makes Central Columbia a desirable area of town. There are new homes and new apartment communities being built in town.
Shandon is a very popular residential area just south of town off Devine Street. Tree-lined streets, well-preserved and distinctive architecture from the 1920's to 1940's and in-town convenience makes this area a favorite with young professionals with families. Elmwood, an older neighborhood off Elmwood Avenue, is enjoying a wonderful renaissance. Folks who want proximity to town and good value are buying and restoring homes in this lovely area. A wide variety of housing styles is available. A new subdivision, Laurel Hill,off Park Street, offers 1920's and 1930's style bungalows and cottages. The Congaree Vista or "the Vista" as it is commonly known, is the city's historic commercial district, and it is becoming one of the city's most vibrant areas for shopping, dining and night life. The redevelopment of the Vista is the first phase in a series of redevelopment plans that, when completed, will encompass an area known as "City Center". The streets of Elmwood, Bull, Congaree River and Blossom form the boundaries for the area that will benefit from this long range plan.
The Congaree Vista Revitalization Plan was ordered by the Central Midlands Regional Planning Council in 1983, and emphasized the importance of the city's riverfront development in relation to Columbia's continued growth. The City of Columbia has undertaken a number of significant projects that have greatly affected the Congaree Vista. The first was the removal of the train tracks from city streets. This huge task was completed with the cooperation of the railroads. Dozens of tracks were removed and relocated.
Riverfront Park and Finlay Park are the first two in a series of parks - a "greenway" system that will link Main Street and the river. Finlay Park is named for former mayor Kirkman Finlay, a man whose vision and hard work initiated many of the Vista's projects. Mayor Finlay gave the Congaree Vista its name, a name that reflects the area's physical description as well as a prediction for its future. As the city works on making the Vista more accessible and appealing, the prospect of living downtown becomes more attractive. New apartments are being developed in older buildings downtown. Owners of shops and galleries are turning upper floors into loft apartments. The creation of desirable, residential neighborhoods is an integral part of the overall plan for restoring vitality to the Vista. The new 19,000 seat USC arena, Colonial Center, opened in November of 2002. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center opened in 2004.
Libraries
Main Library 799-9084
1431 Assembly St. (29201)
Hours: Mon.-Th. 9-9 Fri. & Sat. 9-6 / Sun. 2-6
Wheatley Branch 799-5873
931 Woodrow St. (29205)
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. & Sat. 9-6 / Tues. & Th. 9-8
School District
Richland County School District One
Post Offices
Main Columbia Office 733-4643
1601 Assembly Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6
Five Points Station 799-0701
2108 Greene Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5
Capitol Station 733-4730
1330 Lady Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5
Shopping
Main Street / Downtown
Congaree Vista
Five Points
Devine Street
The Vista
Midtown Average Cost Single Family Home - $180,064
Shandon-Rosewood $187,824
Condo's-Downtown $252,134
Shandon is a very popular residential area just south of town off Devine Street. Tree-lined streets, well-preserved and distinctive architecture from the 1920's to 1940's and in-town convenience makes this area a favorite with young professionals with families. Elmwood, an older neighborhood off Elmwood Avenue, is enjoying a wonderful renaissance. Folks who want proximity to town and good value are buying and restoring homes in this lovely area. A wide variety of housing styles is available. A new subdivision, Laurel Hill,off Park Street, offers 1920's and 1930's style bungalows and cottages. The Congaree Vista or "the Vista" as it is commonly known, is the city's historic commercial district, and it is becoming one of the city's most vibrant areas for shopping, dining and night life. The redevelopment of the Vista is the first phase in a series of redevelopment plans that, when completed, will encompass an area known as "City Center". The streets of Elmwood, Bull, Congaree River and Blossom form the boundaries for the area that will benefit from this long range plan.
The Congaree Vista Revitalization Plan was ordered by the Central Midlands Regional Planning Council in 1983, and emphasized the importance of the city's riverfront development in relation to Columbia's continued growth. The City of Columbia has undertaken a number of significant projects that have greatly affected the Congaree Vista. The first was the removal of the train tracks from city streets. This huge task was completed with the cooperation of the railroads. Dozens of tracks were removed and relocated.
Riverfront Park and Finlay Park are the first two in a series of parks - a "greenway" system that will link Main Street and the river. Finlay Park is named for former mayor Kirkman Finlay, a man whose vision and hard work initiated many of the Vista's projects. Mayor Finlay gave the Congaree Vista its name, a name that reflects the area's physical description as well as a prediction for its future. As the city works on making the Vista more accessible and appealing, the prospect of living downtown becomes more attractive. New apartments are being developed in older buildings downtown. Owners of shops and galleries are turning upper floors into loft apartments. The creation of desirable, residential neighborhoods is an integral part of the overall plan for restoring vitality to the Vista. The new 19,000 seat USC arena, Colonial Center, opened in November of 2002. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center opened in 2004.
Libraries
Main Library 799-9084
1431 Assembly St. (29201)
Hours: Mon.-Th. 9-9 Fri. & Sat. 9-6 / Sun. 2-6
Wheatley Branch 799-5873
931 Woodrow St. (29205)
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. & Sat. 9-6 / Tues. & Th. 9-8
School District
Richland County School District One
Post Offices
Main Columbia Office 733-4643
1601 Assembly Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6
Five Points Station 799-0701
2108 Greene Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5
Capitol Station 733-4730
1330 Lady Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5
Shopping
Main Street / Downtown
Congaree Vista
Five Points
Devine Street
The Vista
Midtown Average Cost Single Family Home - $180,064
Shandon-Rosewood $187,824
Condo's-Downtown $252,134
To read the full text of this article, please request a complimentary copy of The Guide to Greater Columbia.