News Summary
West Columbia is set for a significant transformation with the proposed ‘Trailhead Townhomes’ development. Developers plan to construct 52 new townhomes along the Saluda River, enhancing public access and revitalizing the area. The city council is working to rezone the site, with community meetings scheduled to gather resident feedback. The project aims to promote better connectivity to the riverfront while addressing local parking concerns.
Exciting New Townhome Development on the Horizon for West Columbia
West Columbia is buzzing with the news of a proposed development that could transform a coveted spot along the Saluda River. Developers recently announced plans to construct 52 new townhomes on a sprawling three-acre site nestled between U.S. 378/Sunset Blvd and the scenic river, just off Jarvis Klapman Blvd. This project, dubbed Trailhead Townhomes, is shaping up to be quite the addition to the area.
Out with the Old, In with the New
The West Columbia city council is currently taking the steps to rezone the land for this exciting development, with crucial discussions lined up on January 27 during a planning commission meeting. This particular development is more than just a construction project; it aims to enhance the beauty of West Columbia while facilitating better access to the river for the public.
Each of the proposed townhome units is designed with four parking spaces, meaning residents and visitors won’t have to worry about where to put their vehicles. Parking has been a hot topic in the area, and the developers are also looking to tackle this by working on improvements to existing public parking access. They plan to create a new road that would connect Sunset Boulevard directly to the parking lot at the northernmost entrance of the West Columbia Riverwalk.
Making the Riverfront More Vibrant
The plans for Trailhead Townhomes come as part of a larger vision to invigorate the community and promote public use of the riverfront area. City Councilman David Moye has pointed out that enhancing visibility could attract more people to the area, which currently feels somewhat cut off and isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The proposed townhomes will stand to the west of the long-standing House of Raeford chicken plant, a familiar neighbor since 1998. If the project is approved, this chicken plant will sit conveniently between the new townhomes and an ambitious plan for a 224-unit multifamily housing project that is in the works for the old Capitol Square shopping center. It’s safe to say that West Columbia is gearing up for some significant changes.
Community Meetings to Gather Insights
Before anything can get underway, a joint public hearing is set for Monday night. This gathering aims to provide residents a platform to share their thoughts and feedback with both the city council and planning commission. Community insight is essential, as it ensures that the development aligns with the needs of the people who live and work in the area.
On the topic of traffic, there have been concerns, especially considering a similar housing initiative had to be scaled back from 90 townhomes to 55 single-family homes due to traffic headaches. However, the developers are optimistic. They believe that the new road access from Sunset Boulevard will significantly alleviate any potential traffic snarls.
Traffic Counts and Public Access
Interestingly, traffic counts from the state Department of Transportation reveal that about 15,400 cars make their way through this stretch of Sunset Boulevard daily. This is especially pertinent, as it sits right off an exit from the Jarvis Klapman Boulevard bridge, connecting to the bustling downtown Columbia area. The key challenge rests in enhancing public access to the Riverwalk, which is currently mainly available via a stoplight at North Lucas Street and Sunset Boulevard.
With the planning commission meeting on the horizon, all eyes are on West Columbia to see how this exciting proposal unfolds. Will the Trailhead Townhomes be the gateway to a vibrant new chapter for the city? Only time will tell!
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: West Columbia Townhome Development Proposal
- Wikipedia: Saluda River
- The State: Business News
- Google Search: West Columbia townhomes
- Post and Courier: Townhomes Approved in North Columbia
- Google Scholar: West Columbia development
- AOL: 69-Unit Housing Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Townhomes
- Charleston Business: Build-to-Rent Townhomes
- Google News: West Columbia townhome development
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