Coble: 3 marks Jim Leventis left on Columbia community

Our community lost a great man last week with the passing of Jim Leventis. Jim made a profound difference in everything he did, from student government at Dreher High School, Boys State and the University of South Carolina to the Richland County Council and Richland District 1 school board to his legal and banking career, his tireless civic and church work and his devotion to his family.

Jim was a leader in every aspect of his life for the good of our community, but I believe he had three accomplishments that will leave a permanent imprint on our city, county and state.

First, with the advent of Home Rule, Jim was elected with a large new class in 1976 to the Richland County Council and later served as chairman. He worked tirelessly to bring our very diverse county together and to navigate the change in local government laws and responsibilities. He and the other members laid the groundwork for a modern county government.

Second, Jim chaired the Central Midlands Regional Planning Council in 1984 and was a leader in regional cooperation. Regional cooperation and projects, from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and Riverbanks Zoo to the Three Rivers Greenway and Columbia Convention Center, have transformed our community. From my time as mayor, I can tell you there was no one who contributed more to our regional projects than Jim Leventis.

Finally, in 2002, Jim was the driving force behind creating South Carolina’s first business improvement district. The City Center Partnership was formed to manage Columbia’s downtown, and through his vision and leadership our downtown and Main Street have blossomed and grown. Since the Columbia district was formed in 2002, three new office towers have been constructed, office and residential occupancy has increased, two new hotels have been developed, parking has improved, a comprehensive homeless services facility has opened its doors, and retailers are returning to South Carolina’s Main Street.

When I was mayor, I called Jim for advice every week. As an adopted member of the Leigh Leventis family, I looked up to Jim, as did many others, as an older brother and mentor. Matt Kennell, head of the City Center Partnership, said it best: “Jim had his heart in just about everything that happened in this community for many years. He never rested.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 2:56 PM.