New Kline property plans include 350 condos or apartments in Columbia

New details about the high-dollar Kline City Center development on one of Columbia’s most prominent corners include plans for as many as 350 apartment or condo units, with construction beginning as soon as this winter.

Homes Urban developer Russ Davis submitted to the city Planning Commission a detailed description that includes requests for changes to the city’s planned urban development district guidelines. Davis lays out a number of plans for the 6.5-acre former Kline Iron and Steel Co. property at Huger and Gervais streets. The Planning Commission takes up the proposal at its Monday meeting.

Among the details:

▪  A 140-room hotel at the intersection of Gervais and Huger streets. Davis told the city’s Design/Development Review Commission in July that he has lined up a major hotelier for the site. It is expected to be the tallest structure in the development, reaching up to eight or nine stories. Construction could begin next spring, according to the most recent plan.

▪  The condos or apartments would be a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom units with an average area of about 900 square feet each. They would be “upscale” units designed to attract adult professionals.

▪  Between 700 and 850 parking spaces in two parking garages to be largely concealed from street views. Parking would be constructed concurrently with the residential and retail buildings starting this winter.

▪  Restaurants would mainly be dine-in, upscale businesses similar to those currently found in the Vista, with the potential for “limited fast food venues” such as a gourmet coffee shop or sandwich shop.

▪  Cluster of four buildings will add up to 577,000 square feet of mixed use, including residential, hotel, office, retail, restaurant and parking space.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 8:17 PM with the headline "New Kline property plans include 350 condos or apartments in Columbia."