COLUMBIA: Big Changes Are Coming to Bluff Road
Exciting news is in the air for the residents of Columbia! A major new development is set to reshape the landscape of Bluff Road, a stretch that has long been sitting in the shadows. In a vibrant partnership between the city, county, and state, the Station at Congaree Pointe is on the horizon, promising to breathe fresh life into an overlooked corridor.
What’s Happening?
The Station at Congaree Pointe will be a mixed-use development located right at the intersection of Bluff and Atlas roads. City leaders are optimistic that this project will not only provide essential services for local residents but also attract more businesses and further development along Bluff Road, which serves as a crucial link between Interstate 77 and downtown Columbia.
Felicia Maloney, the executive director of Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc., expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This area has been overlooked for many years, and the community has not seen this kind of development that could help uplift its residents nor improve a main corridor into the City of Columbia.” Her words resonate as a reminder that this initiative is about more than just buildings; it’s about the community’s future.
A Closer Look at the Development
The Columbia Empowerment Zone, a city-affiliated nonprofit, is spearheading this project. One of the major highlights is a 15,000-square-foot fresh food market and event space, which will serve as a cornerstone for local life. Originally, the property was acquired to make fresh food more accessible to neighboring residents, especially those living in the new senior apartments nearby.
Surrounding the site, there are plans for several other developments: Richland County will see a new 8,000-square-foot Magistrate’s Office and a Sheriff’s Substation, while the city’s police department is all set to construct a 35,000-square-foot Municipal Court and a 12,000-square-foot Southeast Region Headquarters. On top of that, Cooperative Health is set to bring a 15,000-square-foot health care center and pharmacy into the mix, which will offer a wide range of services from primary health care to pediatrics.
What’s in Store for Residents?
The fresh food market isn’t just any market; it’s designed to enhance the community’s access to healthful options. It will feature shared commercial kitchen spaces, a restaurant or café, and affordable access for food entrepreneurs and food truck operators. This initiative aims to create a buzzing hub of activity and nourishment right in the heart of the neighborhood.
“This development represents a major step for revitalizing the area and providing access to essential services,” Maloney noted. “With development comes more development, so we do see this as an initiation of development in the area and making it a more desirable spot to attract other development.”
Investment and Future Plans
The project, which was unveiled in February and got an update this November, is backed by an estimated $8 to $9 million investment for the market building alone, not counting the investments from the county and Cooperative Health’s projects.
“This project is not just about physical development,” Maloney explained, emphasizing the broader vision, “It’s about improving quality of life in the area, attracting more development, creating opportunities, creating the space for socialization for the residents of the community, providing access to healthcare and improving community safety.”
Looking Ahead
And there’s even more to look forward to! Future plans for the site include walking trails and the possibility of an electric vehicle charging station. This means that the Station at Congaree Pointe is not just a place to shop or work—it will be a community hub where residents can gather, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.
So, mark your calendars and stay tuned, Columbia! Big changes are coming to Bluff Road, and they promise to positively impact the community for years to come.
