Columbia City Council Work Session: Lourie Center Update and I-277 Redevelopment - January 20, 2026

The Columbia City Council held a work session on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room) from 1:03 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting included two presentations: an update on the Lourie Center (senior services) and a redevelopment proposal for the former I-277 right-of-way at North Main Street and River Drive. The council also entered executive session to discuss economic development, contractual negotiations, and municipal court judges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was adopted unanimously upon motion by Councilmember Brennan and second by Councilmember Brown, with no further discussion or changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sandra Berger (Lourie Center member) praised the facility renovations, expanded programming (quarterly schedules), and highlighted a partnership with The Nickelodeon Theatre that led to sold-out documentary screenings, increasing downtown activity.
• Mahi Abedin (Lourie Center member) shared that the center helped her heal after losing her husband, providing socialization, exercise, and community – calling it her “happiest place” and crediting it with improving her mental and physical well-being.
• Joseph Adams (Lourie Center member) described joining after struggling to find an accessible gym; through regular attendance (3–4 times daily) and healthier habits, he lost 160 pounds (from 385 to 225 pounds) and resolved multiple health issues (A1C, blood pressure, gout, etc.), stating “I would not be alive” without the center.

Discussion Items

1. Update on the Lourie Center (Andrew Boozer, Executive Director, Senior Resources)

• Background: The Lourie Center merged with Senior Resources in August 2023 to create a one-stop senior services hub.
• Financial results: A $450,000 city investment leveraged over $700,000 in additional funding. The 17,000-square-foot facility was fully renovated, administrative costs reduced by more than 30%, and a balanced budget achieved for the first time in over a decade.
• Programmatic impact: Over 2,200 class sessions in the past year; a 263% increase in memberships (287 city residents took up free base membership); 2,600 non-members used the center. New partnerships with Prisma Health and Richland County Memorial Board underwrote gym access. Extended hours (“Lourie Nights”) launched.
• Demographics: The senior population in Richland County is projected to double by 2040. Social isolation is as dangerous as smoking 14 cigarettes a day, per a Salt Lake City study.
• Future need: A $75,000 annual funding gap remains to maintain a balanced budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2026. The city’s $450,000 commitment (ARPA-based) expires June 30, 2026.
• Discussion: Council explored county funding (ceased in 2023), transportation partnerships (with The COMET; DART currently used), Medicare Advantage revenue streams, and eligibility starting at age 50. Councilmember Herbert suggested using COG (Council of Governments) connections for grants.

2. Redevelopment of former I-277 Right-of-Way at North Main Street and River Drive (Justin Steinmann, Lucinda Statler, Howard Kozloff, Ben Donsky)

• Background: The city acquired 31.32 acres from SCDOT in 2022; the project focuses on 19 acres originally condemned for I-277. The remaining acreage (north of North Main) is in floodplain and excluded.
• Community input: A May 2025 workshop hosted by Councilwoman Herbert drew nearly 100 participants. Shared priorities included integrating the Vista Greenway, preserving open space (e.g., community garden and youth football practice fields), balancing density (higher near North Main, lower toward Park Street), minimizing parking, and reconnecting neighborhoods.
• Economic potential: Greenway projects in the Southeast generate an 8-to-1 to 10-to-1 return on investment (private development following public investment). Property values adjacent to greenways can increase up to 40%.
• Market analysis (Agora Partners): Targets included students, professionals, and downsizers. Recommended density (up to 80 units per acre, similar to BullStreet district) supports walkability and retail. Construction cost benchmark: ~$260 per door for high-density product. A ground lease model was discussed for sustained city revenue.
• Next steps: Staff suggested issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) before zoning, to gauge developer interest and align with community preferences. Councilmember Herbert emphasized homeownership opportunities (condos/townhomes). Councilmember Brown noted the site is a “blank canvas” and a development agreement could provide flexibility.
• Discussion: Questions arose about ongoing operating costs, zoning considerations, and phasing. Councilmember McDowell questioned the placement of practice fields (preferring higher density along Main Street). The greenway’s connection to Earlwood Park and the Buffard bike lanes was noted.

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of agenda: Unanimously approved (motion by Brennan, second by Brown).
• Executive session: Unanimously entered at 2:16 p.m. to discuss three items:
  • Economic development related to the former I-277 right-of-way and BullStreet District (S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(5)).
  • Negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements for Busted Plug (S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2)).
  • Employment of municipal court judges (S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(1)).
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
• No formal decisions were made on the Lourie Center funding or the I-277 redevelopment; both presentations were received as information. The budget discussion for the Lourie Center will continue through the city’s budget process. The RFQ for the I-277 site is expected to be discussed further in executive session.