Apartment tower planned next to downtown Columbia library

A Chicago-based developer is planning a 14-story apartment building on Assembly Street next to the Richland County library in downtown Columbia.

The proposed development named The Edge would be built at Assembly and Washington streets on the site of what was once a beauty salon, according to plans before the city’s design panel.

Plans for the complex include a parking garage and an outdoor courtyard, renderings show.

Clayco Realty Group, the developer, is scheduled to discuss its plan with the design board Thursday.

Members of the Design/Development Review Commission can provide feedback to the proposal at that presentation before Clayco submits it for approval, city planner Lucinda Statler said.

City planners had recommended Clayco postpone requesting approval because of “the number of significant concerns that need to be addressed” with the project, records show.

In their analysis, city planners wrote the “jumbled pattern of windows on the upper facade appears to be an attempt to distract from the lack of detail on this facade.”

A similar approach in another recent proposal was not well-received by the panel, their report said.

“The massiveness of this building with minimal detailing on the upper facades will likely face some stern criticism,” the report said.

Statler said the Clayco may update its plans before Thursday to address those concerns.

Clayco describes itself as a “full-service real estate development team” whose projects include student housing, condominiums, apartments, hotels and senior living facilities, according to its website.

Company officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Apartment tower planned next to downtown Columbia library."