What happened to Finlay Park and the Veterans Park? (Columbia: neighborhoods, linear)

[LexingtonDad]

Finlay park is a lost cause. The homeless population has taken over and while there have been few incidents between the homeless and park goers their presence keeps visitors away. I think the city is trying to figure out a way to keep Finley open with minimal maintenance so that the homeless still have a place to gather and build a new park somewhere like Bull Street. If they can make it safe and attractive to mommies pushing strollers it could be just the catalyst that that project needs.

[kingofCola]

Once the Bull Street Park is finished, likely in another six months or so
I can see the city selling Finley Park to a private developer

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by kingofCola

Once the Bull Street Park is finished, likely in another six months or so
I can see the city selling Finley Park to a private developer

What do you think that would do with it? Maybe turn it into something like the Sandlot in Baltimore


https://www.sandlotbaltimore.com/


The mayor threw this idea out some time ago.. but I guess it didn't go anywhere. The likely redevelopment would be housing around the lake..which would privatize it..


In all seriousness I doubt the City would sell it... It has put way to much money into it and people would likely scream foul.. as they did when they built the upscale community on the parking lot that overlooks it.

[carolinagarnet]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

What do you think that would do with it? Maybe turn it into something like the Sandlot in Baltimore


https://www.sandlotbaltimore.com/


The mayor threw this idea out some time ago.. but I guess it didn't go anywhere. The likely redevelopment would be housing around the lake..which would privatize it..


In all seriousness I doubt the City would sell it... It has put way to much money into it and people would likely scream foul.. as they did when they built the upscale community on the parking lot that overlooks it.

I don't think they could reasonably sell the whole park, but they may be able to sell part of it if they promise to pump that money back into the park system or, more likely, back into Finlay Park. The homeowners overlooking the park would probably flip out, though recent experience with the park may be enough to pacify the general public.

[loser_user]

Finally some momentum is coming after six years of disaster:

https://www.postandcourier.com/colum...283f1d5e8.html

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by loser_user

Finally some momentum is coming after six years of disaster:

https://www.postandcourier.com/colum...283f1d5e8.html

Good News... I had some good times at Finlay in the 90s and early 2000s before it "fell off". I am glad the City is putting it back on the priority list.. The new apartments in the VA Administration Building and the future reuse of the USPS Main Office will certainly complement the site. Now for Veterans Park....IDK

[smithgn]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

Good News... I had some good times at Finlay in the 90s and early 2000s before it "fell off". I am glad the City is putting it back on the priority list.. The new apartments in the VA Administration Building and the future reuse of the USPS Main Office will certainly complement the site. Now for Veterans Park....IDK

Blah, we have to wait till 2036 for the lease to be up on the post office. So far away. By then everything around it should be ready. Hopefully it’s something pretty grand because it’s a huge tract of land.

[carolinagarnet]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

Good News... I had some good times at Finlay in the 90s and early 2000s before it "fell off". I am glad the City is putting it back on the priority list.. The new apartments in the VA Administration Building and the future reuse of the USPS Main Office will certainly complement the site. Now for Veterans Park....IDK

I forgot to check last time I was in town- any sign that the new apartments are starting? Truthfully I was pretty skeptical of the plan even though it looked amazing. Just sounded like a lot would have to go right for it to happen.

[forestcracker]

There was a construction dumpster in front of the building earlier this year and it appeared they were removing some stuff from inside. Not sure anymore has occurred than that.

[ColumbiaJAK]

http://columbiacitysc.iqm2.com/Citiz...MeetingID=1402


So here is the master plan for Finlay Park. You can see where and what is tentatively included in the Whitewater Outpost. There is also a linear park from Main Street to the park. Also check out the streetscaping on Assembly, Laurel, and Taylor. I’m pretty impressed.