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I have always thought that Columbia is way undersold. Erwin Penland helps Greenville a lot (they may need work if the Verizon account leaves) by producing videos and material to sell the city. Greenville is also not afraid to exaggerate statistics, you will often see material published about the metro being the fastest growing metros in SC with 1.4m residents. Upstate economist try to spin the area as well. Bruce Yandle recently published a story and danced around Greenville by saying it was in the middle of "Charlanta" implying it was part of the growth and related to these cities. Doug Woodward does not embelish statistics and is a little harsher on Columbia, he could sell the city more than he does. In fact, I don't hear him talk about COlumbia too much.
Columbia has terrific open spaces in the state grounds and The Horseshoe. They are two of the best public spaces in SC but often are overlooked by "professional planners" and architects because they are goverment/institutional.
In a similar way, Columbia needs to be more aggressive in attracting grants like Greenville.
The visions offered after his Dubai diatribe were way to pie in the sky, rational pragmatism would have been appreciated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Columbiadata
I thought that editorial was a waste of space. He is right about one thing: There are many things to do in Columbia that are poorly publicized.
Agreed. One aspect missing in that whole editorial is the fact that oil money built Dubai; in Atlanta, many businesspersons and philanthropists are behind the attractions that are located here. Even as a small city, Columbia doesn't really have a deep business base that can have more touristy things built. Nevertheless, I think with regional collaboration, a few other things can get built like a water park, local history museum, etc.
There is plenty to do in Columbia, people just need to look for it. We have one of the best theatre communities in the country, 2 ballet companies, the philharmonic, numerous festivals and big time college sports. There's something for everyone.
Agreed. One aspect missing in that whole editorial is the fact that oil money built Dubai; in Atlanta, many businesspersons and philanthropists are behind the attractions that are located here. Even as a small city, Columbia doesn't really have a deep business base that can have more touristy things built. Nevertheless, I think with regional collaboration, a few other things can get built like a water park, local history museum, etc.
Haing a deep business base does not necessarily mean more tourist attractions. Columbia has a lot of attractions between the zoo, statehouse, art museums, educational museums, children's museum, The Horseshoe and many others.
Last night, I went downtown with friends to enjoy a night out in Columbia. Parked on Lady Street and put our name on the list at Bourbon, which had an hour wait just to sit at the bar. We then walked to Cola's for drinks, which was also packed, before going back to Bourbon. We then walked up to the Sheraton Rooftop to enjoy the spectacular nighttime view of the city–truly impressive. We then walked to Tin Roof to close out the evening and took a cab home. Main Street and the Vista were filled with people and felt very lively.
This morning, I wanted to get some exercise and, taking advantage of living in the Shandon area, I decided to walk to retrieve my car. Walked through the Five Points fountain plaza, up Green Street, and through the USC campus and Horseshoe. Cut through the State House grounds and walked up Main Street.
The whole trip took a little under half an hour and was a surprisingly beautiful walk. Columbia doesn't get enough recognition for how walkable its central core really is, especially for a Southern city.
I wish Columbia would focus on connecting the various parts of downtown by designating certain corridors and marking them with pedestrian wayfinding signs and sprucing up the sidewalks and crosswalks.
Last night, I went downtown with friends to enjoy a night out in Columbia. Parked on Lady Street and put our name on the list at Bourbon, which had an hour wait just to sit at the bar. We then walked to Cola's for drinks, which was also packed, before going back to Bourbon. We then walked up to the Sheraton Rooftop to enjoy the spectacular nighttime view of the city–truly impressive. We then walked to Tin Roof to close out the evening and took a cab home. Main Street and the Vista were filled with people and felt very lively.
This morning, I wanted to get some exercise and, taking advantage of living in the Shandon area, I decided to walk to retrieve my car. Walked through the Five Points fountain plaza, up Green Street, and through the USC campus and Horseshoe. Cut through the State House grounds and walked up Main Street.
The whole trip took a little under half an hour and was a surprisingly beautiful walk. Columbia doesn't get enough recognition for how walkable its central core really is, especially for a Southern city.
I wish Columbia would focus on connecting the various parts of downtown by designating certain corridors and marking them with pedestrian wayfinding signs and sprucing up the sidewalks and crosswalks.
This is probably the best thing Columbia could do to make more of an impact on visitors, along with pedestrian-friendly infill of course. That especially includes tying in riverfront development to the Vista.
Last night, I went downtown with friends to enjoy a night out in Columbia. Parked on Lady Street and put our name on the list at Bourbon, which had an hour wait just to sit at the bar. We then walked to Cola's for drinks, which was also packed, before going back to Bourbon. We then walked up to the Sheraton Rooftop to enjoy the spectacular nighttime view of the city–truly impressive. We then walked to Tin Roof to close out the evening and took a cab home. Main Street and the Vista were filled with people and felt very lively.
This morning, I wanted to get some exercise and, taking advantage of living in the Shandon area, I decided to walk to retrieve my car. Walked through the Five Points fountain plaza, up Green Street, and through the USC campus and Horseshoe. Cut through the State House grounds and walked up Main Street.
The whole trip took a little under half an hour and was a surprisingly beautiful walk. Columbia doesn't get enough recognition for how walkable its central core really is, especially for a Southern city.
I wish Columbia would focus on connecting the various parts of downtown by designating certain corridors and marking them with pedestrian wayfinding signs and sprucing up the sidewalks and crosswalks.
That's a great idea.
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