Columbia Residents Prepare for Five Points Transformation as Construction Advances

Columbia Residents Brace for Change as Five Points Construction Moves Forward

It’s a bright and sunny morning in Columbia with temperatures reaching a pleasant 81°F—perfect weather to explore our beloved local community. But as it turns out, some folks might want to think twice before heading down to Five Points anytime soon. Frequent visitors to this iconic neighborhood are experiencing some delays due to ongoing construction work, but there’s a silver lining just around the corner.

Traffic Troubles on Harden Street

If you’ve taken a drive down Harden Street recently, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about! Traffic has been crawling at a snail’s pace near the Senate Street intersection, and although it can be frustrating, it’s all part of a much larger plan to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow in the area. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) started this ambitious project in April, and as we see construction progress unfold, it’s clear that change is on its way.

A Vision for Walkability

This project has been in the making for roughly five years and is designed to make the Five Points neighborhood a friendlier and safer space for pedestrians. You might be wondering what that will look like. Bad news for those who love driving with freedom—Harden Street is set to be reduced from four lanes to just two, making room for wider sidewalks and landscaped medians. The goal is to create a bustling area where people feel safe walking from one spot to another. After all, Five Points has seen its fair share of vehicle-pedestrian accidents, and it’s time to turn this trend around!

What’s Happening Now

The updates on the construction site are rolling in pretty quickly. Some plant-filled medians are already installed on the 600 and 700 blocks of Harden Street, with plans for the 800 and 900 blocks wrapping up by mid-October. The final stretch—the 1100 block—is expected to be completed by mid-November. Plus, expanded sidewalks will soon be built from the 600 to 1100 block, planned to kick off in early November and wrap up by January.

Patience is a Virtue

With all this work comes temporary inconveniences, and local business owners are feeling the pinch. Steve Cook, who runs Saluda’s and Arroyo, mentioned that while his established restaurant is faring well, the newly opened Arroyo faced some challenges due to reduced foot traffic. However, he maintains an optimistic perspective, saying, “The final product would be worth having a little inconvenience in the middle.”

Support from the Community

While some complaints about traffic slowdowns have surfaced, many residents and business owners are viewing the situation with supportive glasses. Heather McDonald, president of the Five Points Association, hasn’t heard many gripes about the construction. She asserts that the slowed traffic was indeed the intended effect, emphasizing that safety was a priority. “It’s really starting to come to fruition, and I think it looks great,” she added, voicing the community’s excitement for future improvements.

Looking Ahead

The project won’t be complete until June 2025, but SCDOT has promised regular updates as we progress. Notably, improved crosswalk signage is scheduled to be installed by next spring, aiming to enhance the pedestrian experience even more. Even as the construction phase poses some challenges, many Columbia residents agree—good things take time! Just like remodeling a home, the headache will be worth the beautiful results once the work is done.

So, Columbia, while the hustle and bustle of construction may prove inconvenient now, let’s stay optimistic as we watch our community start to transform! The future for Five Points is bright, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.