Richland County set to lure townhome rentals near Columbia with financial incentives
A developer is in line for financial incentives to bring more housing north of Columbia.
Killian Woods Development is planning to build a $38.5 million “townhome-style rental unit community” on a currently vacant parcel near the intersection of Clemson and Farrow roads in Richland County, just south of Blythewood. Documents published Tuesday provide neither a specific number for how many units would be included nor more detailed descriptions of the townhomes.
In exchange for investing the money to build the project, Richland County is promising incentives in the form of public infrastructure credits, so long as the full $38.5 million is spent by 2030, according to a draft agreement between the county and Killian Woods Development. The specifics of the incentive agreement had not been finalized by the time of writing.
The project would be in Richland County’s District 7, represented by County Councilwoman Gretchen Barron. The incentives for the project require one more reading from the council, which approved the measure unanimously on second reading Tuesday night.
The intersection at Clemson and Farrow, located just off Interstate 77, is a busy one, with roughly 38,300 cars traveling down that stretch of Clemson and 13,900 traveling down that stretch of Farrow, according to state Department of Transportation data. A variety of businesses are located around the intersection, including multiple car dealers, supermarkets Kroger and Aldi, and a variety of fast food restaurants.
The project is coming online at a good time for townhome projects, according to national data and an analysis by The State newspaper.
A 52-unit townhome project is being planned in West Columbia, along with five other projects in the works in that city. Luxury townhomes are still in the works at Columbia’s BullStreet District, and Richland County approved 48 permits for townhome construction in 2024.
Local real estate experts say the projects are not overwhelming the housing market but they have picked up in popularity.
Civic leaders agree that more housing is needed in the Midlands, as Richland and Lexington counties are projected to add more than 50,000 new people by 2040. That will require homes with a smaller footprint that can be bunched closer together.
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM.
