Columbia Mayor: Bull Street Project 'Unparalleled' in Size, Potential

Editor's note: This story was originally published on June 25, 2013.

While standing in front of the historic Babcock Building, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin formally announced Tuesday the city's development agreement for a Bull Street neighborhood on 181 acres that the state Department of Mental Health once occupied.

“This is a historic partnership for a historic project," Benjamin said at a news conference. "It’ll bring this architectural treasure behind us (Babcock) and 181 acres of prime downtown real estate onto the city’s tax rolls and transform them into a one-of-a-kind development for all Columbians."

The proposed neighborhood will be a mix of housing, and retail and office space. The project could also include a baseball stadium. 

The Bull Street campus sat on the market for 10 years and the city went through nearly three years of negotiations with Greenville developer Bob Hughes before reaching an agreement.

“This is our time," Benjamin said. "This is our moment. It’s time to think big."

"It’s time to claim Columbia’s destiny."

The agreement, Benjamin said, "strikes a balance that gives the developer the latitude he needs while giving clear expectations and benchmarks that protect the city’s investment, the public’s interests and ensures a quality project."

One of those benchmarks include the city committing to funding $31.25 million for infrastructure improvements over four development phases. In order to get that full amount, Hughes and his team has to demonstrate an $81.25 million return on that investment.

Construction of the neighborhood would happen over a 20-year period. Of the initial $31.25 million investment, $15.4 million will be used for phases one, two and three. 

The remaining funding, $15.8 million, will be invested into phase four with the benchmarks set with the developer.

Benjamin said public funds would only be used for public projects. Columbia City Council has not made a final decision on how it will fund the project.

The agreement also addresses the preservation of historic sites on the campus such as the Babcock Building, public safety and the environment.

Elizabeth Marks, president of the Robert Mills Historic District, said the city has put in "some good benchmarks" in the agreement but wants to see the full plan especially as it relates to the historic sites and trees.

"We want to see as many of the historic buildings preserved as well as a historic feel to the area," Marks said. 

Officials say the neighborhood is estimated to have a $1 billion economic impact on the city.

"This project is absolutely unparalleled in its size, in its scope and in the potential it holds for our city," Benjamin said. "We’re talking about the largest project of its kind east of the Mississippi River and probably the nation." 

Highlights of the agreement

• The city is committing to providing two parking decks totaling 1,600 spaces. But there are conditions that apply. For first facility the developer has to develop 120,000 square feet of property, rehabilitate the Babcock Building or build a baseball stadium. For the second facility the developer must have purchased half of the total property or secured $75 million in private investment.

• The developer agreed to donate land to the city for a pump station, build a police substation and conduct a tree survey for each section of the property before it’s developed. The police substation will be provided by Hughes and staffed by Columbia Police.

• The following historic sites would be protected: The Babcock Building (including North and South wings), the male and female dining halls, the Williams Building, the Chapel of Hope and the Tree Allee. The bakery, the laundry and the Ensor building are also protected. If Hughes is not about to use those buildings, then City Council will have the opportunity to relocate them. 

Public hearings

A public hearing will be held regarding the development agreement on Monday at 2 p.m. at the Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Avenue. Council will meet again  at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the Earlewood Community Center, 1113 Parkside Drive. Council is expected to take a final vote at its Tuesday meeting.

To view the full draft agreement, click here. The city has also provided highlights and a FAQ.

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