Columbia takes steps toward Five Points ‘cornerstone’ projects that could jolt revamp
Five Points, the more than 100-year-old shopping and nightlife village in Columbia, appears to be in a moment of transition.
Columbia City Council recently took steps on a pair of projects that could go a long way toward sparking a rebound for the urban village that is just east of the University of South Carolina. If the projects come to fruition, they could bring a new hotel, retail and hundreds of residences to the district.
On Aug. 17, the council unanimously passed a first vote on a measure to sell the city-owned property at 2221 Devine St. to Mount Pleasant’s Latitude 32 Development for $4.5 million. The city bought the building on Devine Street, formerly a state office building, for $3.8 million back in 2019 and had initially marketed it for a hotel.
City paperwork indicates the property would “be redeveloped as a multi-family residential complex with commercial spaces for retail and restaurant use.” The documents say the development would include up to 250 residential units, to include townhouse units that will “be consistent with first class units in the downtown area of Columbia.”
The ordinance indicates the residences at 2221 Devine will not be “designated, marketed, structured or operated” as student housing, and students will not be targeted in the advertising for the development.
A final vote on the project could come in September.
Meanwhile, the council also passed a resolution to support the redevelopment of the former Wells Fargo property on Saluda Avenue in Five Points. The bank there closed in February.
According to city documents, the possible project, which would be undertaken by a group called We Love Five Points LLC, would include a hotel with up to 120 rooms, 45,000 square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet of retail. While the resolution doesn’t commit the city to building a parking deck as part of the project, it outlines that discussions of a parking deck are taking place and that the city has “acknowledged support” of the overall project, and that the city “expresses interest in working alongside the developer” on the project.
The moves come at a time when Five Points seems to be searching for its next evolution. There are more than 30 empty storefronts across the district, and many of the village’s fabled college bars have been in a near constant legal battle with state agencies and nearby neighbors to hold onto their liquor licenses. Some college bars, like Pavlov’s, have closed, while others have struck deals with the state to stay open.
Steve Cook owns Saluda’s restaurant in Five Points and is the president of the Five Points Association. He said the two would-be projects could be significant for Five Points’ trajectory.
“Those are two big blocks,” Cook told The State. “If we are going to rebuild Five Points, those are two of the big cornerstones. The proper development of those is huge for the future of Five Points. Five Points is at a crossroads. ... The right development of those spots is key. We don’t get big parcels like that in Five Points very often for redevelopment.”
District 3 City Councilman Will Brennan represents the Five Points area. He said the idea of both projects potentially coming together could be a “once in a generation” moment for the urban village.
“I think they are bookends of a re-engagement and a re-energizing,” Brennan said. “It’s all about attracting new businesses, new customers, new people to enjoy the hospitality district. I think these two bookend projects really do that. It’s just a whole new energy level that we want to get back to.”
Third-term Mayor Steve Benjamin also is intrigued by the possibilities of the two projects in Five Points, along with the opportunity for more retail in the Treadwell development that is underway on Harden Street in upper Five Points.
“Those are three major cornerstones for development in Five Points that I think could help define Five Points’ future,” Benjamin said. “This type of high-quality development portends a much brighter future for Five Points.”
