More new apartments? Another housing development proposed in growing Columbia corridor
A major housing development could soon be built just north of Richland Hospital and south of Lorick Park in North Columbia.
A six-building, 144-apartment project is being considered for a wooded parcel in the north Columbia area between the U.S. Highway 321 and S.C. Highway 277. The nearly 17-acre lot is at the corner of Lorick and West avenues.
The project would include 36 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 36 three-bedroom apartments, as well as surface parking spots for 260 vehicles, according to application materials submitted to the city by Victor Salereno.
City leaders have frequently spoken of the need for more housing in the Columbia area, particularly in the North Main Street corridor this new project abuts.
But not all new housing projects in the corridor have been well-received. Neighbors raised concerns over a new affordable housing project called Benton Crossing built in the last two years at the corner of River Drive and Main Street. Residents worried the building would be overbearingly tall and create traffic headaches. That apartment is now filling units and time will tell if residents’ concerns are realized.
Another new apartment complex farther down Main Street at the intersection of Scott and Main streets has also raised eyebrows. The new complex called The Woodley would have 102 units and 1,800 square feet of retail space for an office or storefront.
But residents say they’ve been given mixed messages about The Woodley, which developers at one point intended to cater toward low-income veterans.
The Columbia Planning Commission will consider the plans for the latest housing development on Lorick Avenue at a regular meeting Thursday at 4 p.m.
