Richland County, South Carolina

On Dec. 1, 2023, Richland County and the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District held an Arbor Day celebration at Watkins-Nance Elementary School in Columbia. Five classes took part in a morning tree planting. Later that day, at a school assembly, County Councilman Paul Livingston (District 4) presented a proclamation recognizing Dec. 1 as Arbor Day in the County, and “edu-tainer” and tree connoisseur Tim Womick taught the importance of trees and forests through song and demonstrations.

Richland County recently held a series of open house meetings with residents to highlight recommended revisions to the County’s zoning map and Land Development Code (LDC). Residents could drop in at their convenience and review the proposed changes before County Council considers the revisions. County staff and members of County Council, including Paul Livingston (District 4), were on hand to answer residents’ questions. Find updates, public notices and other information on the remapping restart for the LDC on the County's website.

On Jan. 18, 2023, County Councilmembers Paul Livingston (District 4) and Gretchen Barron (District 7) attended a ribbon cutting for Peak Drift Brewing Company's state-of-the-art production facility on North Main Street in Columbia. The event gave community leaders and stakeholders the opportunity to tour the facility and taste Peak Drift's inaugural line of craft beer and hard seltzers. 

Councilman Paul Livingston joined Council Chair Joyce Dickerson, Lt. Curtis Wilson of the Richland County Sheriff's Department and several community leaders in celebrating the installation of the first banner that showcases the new logo and slogan for the Broad River Road Corridor -- part of a master plan to revitalize the area while maintaining the character of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Richland County Councilman Paul Livingston joined local officials celebrating phase one of the Three Rivers Greenway project at a ground breaking ceremony Monday morning. The three-mile-long public walkway along the Saluda River is designed to integrate boardwalks, bridges and concrete pathways as well as benches, signs and information kiosks, security lighting, restrooms and a future parking lot. The greenway, funded through the Richland County Transportation Program, will also provide connected access to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.