Residents are asked to use their imaginations to help create a vision for the newly defined Capital City Mill District.
The Richland County Planning Department and the City of Columbia have partnered together to fund, create and implement a Richland County Council-approved master plan for the Olympia, Granby, Whaley and South Assembly areas, called the Capital City Mill District Master Plan.
This master plan was initiated by County Council and area residents. Due to development pressures, significant land-use changes and a demonstrated need for an area and corridor plan, the County and City have a mutual interest in coordinating and creating a joint neighborhood master plan.
“At the heart of this project are the active citizens of the Olympia, Granby and Whaley neighborhoods who have been instrumental in initiating this project and advocating for the entire area,” said Richland County Neighborhood Planner Latoisha Green. “We want to help the citizens create an effective and authentic plan that will guide this area for years to come.”
Residents are invited to help establish a community vision for the future development of the Whaley, Olympia and Granby neighborhoods by taking part in one of two “Imagine Workshops” and sharing their opinions and visions for the Mill District. The workshops are 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27 and 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 28 at 701 Whaley in the Grand Hall. The workshop presentations are identical opportunities for residents to contribute.
As part of the planning team, the Boudreaux Group consulting firm will facilitate this first round of public meetings at the historic 701 Whaley building with engaging activities as part of the information gathering process for this plan.
“There are many elements of the study area that this master plan will explore—including housing, community facilities, land use, urban design, environmental preservation, economic development and transportation networks—which will result in a set of specific recommendations to cultivate a healthy and happy neighborhood,” Green said.
In June, additional Imagine Workshops are planned to be held during which initial findings and recommendations will be presented to the public.