COLUMBIA, S.C. — A developer is eyeing space in one of Columbia's most historic neighborhoods.
Christa Williams, the owner of Uncle Willie's Grocery Store, which sits right across the street from a newly proposed residential and retail space.
"The developer and I have talked several times. Every time he comes to the area, he comes to the store, checks on me, and makes a purchase," Williams said. "As long as there is an open line of communication with the community and with the local businesses here, I think any new development coming in, it will be a winning combination, but we want to make sure that we maintain our businesses that are already here."
Thomas Fallows is the owner of Ghostridder Oz Fund, based in Santa Barbara, California. As a developer, Fallows hopes to build an apartment complex with a resident center and retail space in Columbia's historic Main and Elmwood neighborhoods called 'The Woodley'.
WLTX contacted Fallows about the proposal and his ambition with the project.
He replied, "Our goal is to build a marquee multi-family apartment complex proximate to all downtown Columbia has to offer. As you can see from the designs we've submitted to the city, we've tried to strike a balance between classic, timeless design and a modern aesthetic to bring forward a project that will offer attractive yet reasonably-priced housing options for those who want to live and work near the city's center. "
The proposal site sits along a property between Main, Scott, and Sumter Street. The mockup images of the design include brick and metal siding with 4 apartment buildings that connect a business space on the side.
Fallows says they chose this part of historic Columbia purposefully.
"It's not often you find an area just 10 blocks from the State Capitol building -- literally on Main Street -- that's in the process of re-emerging after a pretty tough time. The particular property we're building on was formerly an abandoned, condemned warehouse which was a magnet for crime," Fallows explains. "By late 2025, this will be a clean, safe, respectful apartment complex that's home to 100+ households. That's real progress that helps uplift a neighborhood. This area is the natural connection between the heart of downtown and the new BullStreet District, and it's directly aligned with the City's master plan. I expect we'll continue to see positive developments like this along the corridor."
This project is right next door to a set of 250 apartment units expected to go in at 2222 Main Street, both projects are just down the road from the almost-completed Benton Crossing apartments at Main and River Drive.
The proposal for the Woodley apartments has to go through two more readings in City of Columbia's Planning Commission before it can be fully approved or denied.
The next Planning Commission meeting will be on Thursday, March 14, at 4 p.m. on the third floor of Columbia City Hall.