Business & Tech
Columbia Council to Take Final Vote on Bull Street Project
A second public hearing on the proposed Bull Street redevelopment is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Earlewood Community Center, 1113 Parkside Drive.
Columbia City Council will take a final vote on an amended proposed Bull Street development agreement Tuesday afternoon.
A few changes have been made to the agreement between the city and Greenville developer Bob Hughes since council voted 4-3 for first reading approval.
Some amendments include:
- Hughes agrees to pay one-half of the costs of the archaeological dig at Camp Asylum up to $25,000.
- The new baseball stadium will not be constructed unless noise and lighting studies are completed.
- Richland School District 1 is given the the first opportunity to operate a primary school, public or private, on the site.
Many people have called on council to either delay the vote or move forward with the project.
The Historic Columbia Foundation has submitted several suggestions for council to consider before making their final decision Tuesday.
Like others, the organization is urging council to delay the vote because citizens don't know what businesses would locate there, what historic buildings would be saved and how the city would fund the project.
The new neighborhood, which would be constructed in four phases over the next 20 years, includes housing, retail and possibly a baseball stadium. The agreement also calls for two parking garages.
Of the city's initial $31.25 million investment, $15.4 million will be used for the first three phases. The remaining $15.8 million will be spent in phase four.
The second public hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Earlewood Community Center, 1113 Parkside Drive.
Read the amended development agreement, click here.
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