Columbia Mayor Releases Details of Planned $2.5 Million Parking Garage at Five Points Location
Proposal For Multi-Level Parking Structure
In a recent announcement, Columbia City Mayor Daniel Rickenmann shared exciting plans for a $2.5 million parking garage at Five Points, near Blossom Street. Made possible by state funding allocated in the new state budget, the proposed parking facility is projected to be completed within the next two to three years, sparking extensive changes to this popular neighborhood.
The planned location of this significant infrastructure project is the former site of a Wells Fargo banking center on Devine Street. The preliminary concept includes the creation of 400-500 parking spaces. However, according to Mayor Rickenmann, this parking facility is just the beginning of broader changes aimed at enhancing the appeal of Five Points.
Addressing Parking Concerns
Parking has always been a topic of concern among local businesses and visitors. “You do hear that a lot of times like people will say that there’s no place to park in Five Points,” said David Toole, owner of Bluetile Skateshop, a popular outlet in this bustling neighborhood.
The mayor believes that investing in parking solutions is crucial to ensure the positive development of the area, and the garage would serve as a pillar for further investments and developments.
Future Plans for Five Points
Beyond the parking garage, the city plans to develop additional facilities in the same vicinity. The proposal includes a new 150-room boutique hotel and 55,000 square feet of office space, which would be leased by the South Carolina Bar Association.
Toole expressed both excitement and concern about these developments. The Skateshop owner said that while he hopes the changes will be a bonus for the local businesses, he also fears losing the creative, locally owned essence that defines Five Points.
Revving Up Columbia’s Growth
Rickenmann believes that these new projects will contribute to the much-needed growth of Columbia, aligning it with the growth rates of other capital cities. He says that over the past decade, Columbia has seen a population decline but is now committed to bringing it back up.
“Having a hotel in Five Points will turn it over…the idea is that you have bars yes, but you also have restaurants and retail where it becomes an 18-hour area which is very important for us as a capital city,” said the Mayor.
Strike While the Iron’s Hot
Mayor Rickenmann emphasized the need for Columbia to seize the moment and invest in its future. “We’re the Capital City of Columbia, S.C., and now it’s our time. And we’re going to fight for those dollars to improve our community,” he said, expressing optimism about the planned developments.
Please note: all design specifics, including the proposed boutique hotel and parking garage, are subject to change as bids for construction have not yet been finalized.
