Columbia Greenway Expansion Charrette Sparks Vision for a More Walkable, Connected City
- CUBNSC
- May 12
- 4 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC
Columbia is on the cusp of transforming how people move through its downtown. City leaders, planners, and residents gathered this week for a highly anticipated public charrette exploring the expansion of the Columbia Greenbelt. The proposed project aims to link key corridors like the Earlewood neighborhood, North Main, and the BullStreet District—ushering in a new era of pedestrian and bike-friendly connectivity in the capital city.
Currently, the Vista Greenway runs from Lady Street to Elmwood Avenue. City officials have already mapped out a $3 million extension through Earlewood to North Main Street. The next leg, estimated at $4 million, would stretch 1.6 miles further—connecting North Main to Page Ellington Park within the BullStreet development. Altogether, the fully realized trail would span approximately 3.75 miles one way. While some funding remains unsecured, the city is pursuing support from Richland County’s extended penny transportation tax and aiming for full completion by 2028.
At the heart of the charrette were community voices offering tangible, place-based ideas rooted in both sustainability and equity.
Columbia Greenway: A Local Vision for a Neighborhood Hub
Longtime Columbia residents Stan Gardner and Gretchen Lambert shared their plans to breathe new life into a historic building they own at the corner of Main and Newman streets—affectionately dubbed “the white building.” Rather than tearing it down, the couple envisions a vibrant, locally-owned gathering place for walkers, cyclists, and neighbors along the Columbia Greenway Expansion.
Their dream: an outdoor-friendly restaurant and bar that feels like a true neighborhood gem—preserving the character of the existing building while activating it as a hub at the edge of the new Greenway.
“We really want it to be a community space,” Gardner said. “Somewhere that reflects Columbia’s charm and gives folks a reason to linger, connect, and enjoy the neighborhood.”
Lambert added that walkability is key to their vision: “People don’t want to have to drive just to grab a cup of coffee or meet up with friends. They want a place that feels close and comfortable.”
Bikes, Safety, and a Call for Equity
For Regan Freeman of the Cola Town Bike Collective, the Greenbelt’s expansion isn’t just about lifestyle—it’s about survival and access.
Speaking during the charrette, Freeman pointed to sobering statistics from Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design report, which ranks Columbia as the 12th most dangerous metro area in the country for pedestrians and cyclists. South Carolina, meanwhile, ranks third among all states for traffic-related deaths involving those on foot or bike.
“There was just a fatality on Calhoun near Transitions,” Freeman said. “We’re in a public health crisis when it comes to mobility and safety, and the data backs that up.”
Traditionally, the Cola Town Bike Collective has focused on providing bicycles to those in need—particularly people experiencing homelessness or living on low incomes. But Freeman says the organization is ramping up its advocacy work, pushing for policy and infrastructure that centers safety and equity for all residents, not just a recreational few.
“We want to see the city calm traffic on roads like Gervais, Assembly, Elmwood, and Main,” he said. “This isn’t just about biking—it’s about making it safe to exist outside of a car.”
Freeman also praised Columbia’s layout, which unlike many U.S. cities, wasn’t dissected by a major highway. “The bones are here,” he said. “If you live downtown, you’re already just a 5-to-10-minute bike ride from most destinations. The potential is massive.”
Community Priorities: Groceries, Green Space, and Inclusive Housing
Participants at the charrette raised broader quality-of-life concerns as well. Earlewood and nearby neighborhoods are still classified as food deserts, with limited access to fresh groceries despite an uptick in construction and commercial development in adjacent areas like BullStreet.
Residents advocated for the city to prioritize walkable grocery access, youth recreational space—especially for football teams practicing near the community garden—and inclusive housing models like bungalows and accessory dwellings that support aging in place and intergenerational living.
Urban planners referenced successful case studies like Atlanta’s BeltLine and Charlotte’s greenway networks as models of how cities can unlock economic and cultural growth through thoughtful design for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders alike.
A City in Motion
As the planning phase progresses, residents say they’re encouraged by the city’s willingness to listen and co-create. The proposed Greenbelt expansion isn’t just a mobility project—it’s a chance to weave together Columbia’s fragmented corridors into something cohesive, healthy, and inclusive.
“This is about stitching the city back together,” Freeman said. “And making sure it works for everyone—not just those who drive.”
To learn more about the project visit: https://planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov/downtown/
Excellent reporting! The other news outlets tend to focus on politicians you guys focus on people and getting more of the story out thank you