Future Projects

The Vista is growing and changing at an incredible rate; new projects and businesses locate to the area monthly.   Many large-scale development projects take years of work behind the scenes before they become public.  This section of the CDC website gives a preview of some of these projects... what is being planned and trends in development, both public and private.

Riverfront Development
The Vista is blessed with beautiful rivers, as the Broad and Saluda form the confluence of the Congaree River.  Only small portions of the riverfront were ever developed, and most of those uses were less than desirable.  The River Alliance was created to promote the appropriate redevelopment along the river and facilitate access to the riverfront for Columbia citizens and visitors.  The Columbia portion of the 3 Rivers Greenway is funded from a Tax Increment District that provided $17 million to pay for implementation of the plan.  Eventually, pathways will run from Granby to the Riverbanks Zoo.  Boaters, sportsmen, fishermen will have access to the area, and additional recreational uses are being planned along the miles of riverfront.  Click here to go to the River Alliance.

Arsenal Hill
This lovely neighborhood is the last opportunity for the redevelopment of a traditional residential neighborhood in the City of Columbia. Named for the civil war arsenal located at its geographic center, Arsenal Hill is also home to the SC Governor's Mansion and Finlay Park.  The Columbia Development Corporation has acquired tracts of vacant land in the neighborhood and is working with the residents to develop new homes that fit the character and scale of the neighborhood.

This is one of many tree lined streets in the Arsenal Hill neighborhood.

State Museum IMAX and Planetarium OPT
The SC State Museum is planning a future building expansion that will include an IMAX Theater and Planetarium.  While the state of South Carolina has provided some funding for project study and planning, full funding is not anticipated for several years.  Concept studies have illustrated how the planetarium and IMAX could be located around the present museum building.  It is expected that future studies will show the potential of locating the facilities inside the old Columbia Mills building, in an area presently occupied by the State Department of Revenue.  To see concept drawings and learn more about the proposed expansion of the museum click here.