notes

What are the issues with and successes of Columbia SC?

  

1786- Columbia founded- 

The State of South Carolina was looking to move the Capital from Charleston.  The location for the city of Columbia was picked as a result of the geographic fall line and proximity to the river which was used for transportation of goods and powering antebellum textile mills.  The State Capitol was put at the heart of the 400 block grid.  

Bob, Granby Resident

How can we make a stronger self-sufficient community knowing that human relationships open doors and drive the success/failure of projects?

Granby Mill- was in use for the production of cotton fabrics until 1986 when production shifted.

Through historic preservation and adaptive reuse the mills have maintain an active role in the present day community.

The street front porch transition of public to private space is an important connection to the community. (new urbanism)

Salt box duplex style

Olympia

This neighborhood is zoned as part of the county still today and developed around the Quarry

The isolation of the community can be attributed to the railroad that formed a physical divide from the community/city of Columbia as was the case for Granby until recently. 

Granby and Olympia

Were mill communities developed by Whaley in near 1900 using electricity as a power source.  Part of the allure of working in the mills was the housing provided.  As long as the hours were for the workers, they maintained a positive look on their lives and had a sense of connection to their homes.  

  

There was no school in these areas and people walked to/from destinations.

Vulcan Quarry:

Was previously owned by Lone Star Industries and Palmetto Quarries.  The site was first worked in the 1880’s, however, this was a rather small quantity used to build jetties.  

The quarry is located close to the Congaree river boundary, excavated ~400 ft below ground level. 

If left alone, the quarry will potentially fill to the level of river.

The Rocky Branch Creek Runs into the Quarry

Atlanta Vulcan Quarry converted to Park should be looked at for Precedent

Quarrying Process:

Remove top soil - drilling and blasting- loading and primary crushing - secondary crushing - tertiary crushing - put into storage piles - washing - distribute to customers

Washing- became an important part of the process to minimize air pollution.  Furthermore, the trucks were rerouted from going directly through the Granby community.  The Vulcan Quarry has a separate location for the pumping and clarification of water before it is released into the river. 

Catch benches are supposed to be at least 20% of height drilled.  Therefore if 50’ is drilled a 10’ bench is necessary which is common today.

Reactions to Quarry

 Void- while standing within the quarry I almost felt as if something were missing within me. 

Awe- I was impressed by the magnitude of the quarry

The space seemed “other worldly”

Sound echoed

The idea of wholeness/completion and health juxtaposes a void, a scar, a wound