Things are slowly changing in the West Columbia River District. 

The City of West Columbia has been in the process of acquiring more property for parking.

“We are moving cautiously, but deliberately, to help make sure there is more parking to facilitate our thriving businesses in the State and Meeting street area,” said West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton.

One of the spots for parking will be the yard of the old Brookland City Hall and Fire Station on Center Street.

The property beside the old City Hall will provide enough area for 96 parking spaces.

In June, West Columbia City Council voted to remove some old out-buildings, sheds and structures that are on the property. Demolition is expected to take place very soon.

Horton stressed that the main buildings on the property- the old City Hall and jail – will be left because of their quality and historical value. No decision has been made as to their future use.

Horton also said there are already curb cuts on Meeting Street for access to the new parking spaces once they are prepared for use.

In addition to the Center Street property acquisition, the city has purchased five lots in the New Brookland Mill Village. That property is closer to the heavily-used West Columbia Riverwalk and the Congaree River. The houses the city bought are expected to be vacant in August according to schedule. 

In January, ground was broken on Brookland, the multi-million-dollar residential, commercial and retail complex being built on four acres at State and Meeting streets. The land had once been used as a parking lot, but it’s no longer available for that purpose, because of construction.

News came out in February that the City of West Columbia would buy West Columbia’s old City Hall and Fire Department. The site is one-half block from State Street and The River District.