Columbia College eyes road repair project near Southwell Complex
Columbia College is preparing for the day it’s ready to move on a large road improvement project on campus.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission will consider two requests from the school to combine lot lines of several buildings on campus, as well as vacate its right-of-way on Pannell Street, south of Wilkes Boulevard.
Plant and Facilities director Cliff Jarvis told ABC 17 News the two requests will make it easier for the school to perform repairs in the area, when money becomes available. The school recently bought another property on Wilkes Boulevard to prepare for any improvements to Pannell Street.
Right now, the college owns the land on either side of Pannell Street, while the City of Columbia owns the road and right-of-way just off the street. The southern portion of the road leads to Southwell Complex, where the school holds most of its indoor athletics. Jarvis said it also holds graduation ceremonies, and sees more than 10,000 people every year. Right now, two buses cannot fit on the road driving in opposite directions. Jarvis said by taking the right-of-way, the school can widen streets and add curbs to the road.
“We’re able to then make improvements to that street on our time schedule and as our budget allows,” Jarvis told ABC 17 News.
The road currently has no sidewalks and deep ditches for stormwater. Jarvis said any work they do would “dress up” the area. So far, the school has not come up with formal plans, since it hasn’t collected the money for the project yet.
The school also completed a project on their main quad, including a fountain, amphitheater and campus safety office.
