Deal moves ahead for $80M housing development with art plaza at Columbia’s BullStreet
An $80 million housing development in Columbia’s BullStreet District, which would also include an art walk and plaza, is a step closer to reality after a move this week from Columbia City Council.
Council gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure that would make way for Tampa, Florida-based developers the Framework Group to build a large housing development on 6 acres at the massive BullStreet site, where a number of projects are currently under construction.
City Council’s move was somewhat procedural, as it authorizes the inclusion of the property for the housing development in what is known as an “industrial/business park.” Through such an arrangements, projects can get tax incentives and infrastructure credits via Richland County.
Richland County Council on Oct. 4 gave final approval for infrastructure credits for the Framework project at BullStreet. City Council will take a final vote on the matter at an upcoming meeting.
The economic incentive for the Framework development amounts to a 50% property tax break for 10 years.
While finer details have not been announced for the $80 million housing development at BullStreet, county agenda paperwork provides some clues. The project would be constructed on just more than 6 acres just beyond the outfield walls of Segra Park baseball stadium. The property for the development would be bordered by Gregg, Freed and Barnwell streets. It would be just south of the Merrill Gardens senior living complex.
In addition to the $80 million for housing, the development would also include more than $22 million in infrastructure work, including an art walk and plaza and a parking garage, according to county documents.
“This is a big project,” said City Councilman Howard Duvall, who chairs the city’s BullStreet Commission. “I think it could be the biggest project announced on BullStreet, so far.”
Much has been happening at BullStreet, where development momentum has been gaining on the sprawling 180-acre site that once housed the State Mental Hospital.
A new Publico restaurant is now open near Segra Park, where the Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball team just wrapped up its 2022 season. A massive Christmas light display is planned at the ballpark this holiday season, the team just announced this week.
Construction also is underway on Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant along Bull Street, not far from where a Starbucks and REI Outdoor store are located in the district.
The Bennet at BullStreet apartments are under construction, and, despite a massive fire two years ago, work is being completed on a $55 million project to turn the historic Babcock Building into more than 200 apartments, where some residents have already moved in.
There also are residents living in townhomes on the site, as well as in the Merrill Gardens complex. And law firm Robinson Gray recently moved into the state-of-the-art WestLawn building on the west side of the BullStreet site.
