COLUMBIA, S.C. — Monday night, the Forest Acres City Council reviewed the latest renderings for the proposed Mall Park. The recreation and performance space will occupy land at the former Richland Mall site.
Chris Lambka from The Landplan Group South presented the council with an updated rendering of what the new park could look like. He explained some of the new additions from the last rendering.
“This (trail) allows us to have a walking loop of anywhere from half a mile to three quarters of a mile depending on your route,” he told the council.
Forest Acres was able to acquire additional property for the project that will now allow for extra parking spots, a walking trail and a storage building.
The biggest discussion about the project centered on whether to include a water feature, or an upscale pavilion that could be used for additional seating during concerts and rented out for parties.
Councilman Stephen Oliver expressed concern over using the pavilion for VIP seating.
“My concern is that if we are able to attract a brewery or a tap room, and we have our own VIP, is that going to make it less attractive for somebody? You know, I don’t want to take away from a business making money, because we’re trying to make money,” Oliver told his fellow councilmembers.
The council agreed to let designers proceed with work on the project, but said they would continue discussions on the water feature and pavilion designs.
The mayor said after the council decides on what kind of features the park should have, the park's designers will generate engineered plans that contractors will bid on. He said that process may not happen until late next year.
The council also discussed an ordinance that would restrict what types of businesses could stay open after midnight.
The proposed language of the ordinance would allow gas stations, hospitals, hotel lobbies, pharmacies and grocery stores to remain open 24 hours a day.
Fitness clubs would be allowed to open as early as 4:00 a.m. and special event permits could allow businesses like restaurants to stay open past midnight during holidays like New Year’s Eve.
Mayor Thomas Andrews wasn’t so sure about having grocery stores stay open all night, but Councilman Oliver said it could help people in an emergency.
“Nobody’s really open 24 hours, and that is a little concerning to me. I’d kind of like to see maybe the option to have a 24-hour grocery store,” Oliver said.
The council voted to defer the first reading of the new ordinance until January.
The public also had the chance to ask questions of city leadership.
Forest Acres resident Bruce Chavis said he was experiencing noise and dust issues due to the ongoing demolition at the Richland Mall site.
“They (demolition crews) are supposed to spray these things down with water wherever there’s rubble or dust coming off. They have not been doing this. Imagine (it) snowing outside, but it’s not snow, it’s dust, it’s dirt, it’s rubble and it’s covering everybody’s cars,” Chavis told the council.
City leaders promised to look into Chavis’ complaint and address it with the demolition contractors.
Mayor Andrews said the last of the concrete structures at the Richland Mall site are expected to be knocked down by the end of January. The last of the rubble and debris should be removed from the site by the end of March.