What does Columbia want?

On bringing in tourism:

"The Columbia riverfront: Flood the Olympia quarry near the Congaree River to create a marina. Build shops and restaurants with a South Carolina flair along the lake. But the real draw would be a one-of-a-kind building on the riverfront to be designed by the winner of a contest. Think something along the lines of the silver-ribbon Guggenheim Museum on the riverfront in Bilbao, Spain."

Think Out of the Box:

What will it take to make the Midlands a tourist magnet?

Perhaps a world-class piece of architecture along the Congaree River at the Olympia quarry with marinas, stores, restaurants and condos.

It could be cruises from Columbia to Charleston along the lakes and rivers leading to the Lowcountry.

When asked whether the riverfront idea might compete with the city of Columbia's riverwalk plan, MacNulty said: "New thinking is needed ... to create a 'wow' factor to put the city on the tourism map."

Columbia Mayor Bob Coble said he appreciated any idea "that was out of the box," but he wondered whether quarry owners were ready for development.

Filling with Water:

Watch here two videos on a quarry filling with water due to a flood and I assume a broken levy...

Marina Precedents:

Miami Crazy 'Wow' Factor 

 World's First Floating Village

 

 

-"luxury shipping containers" describe hotel rooms

- apartments, townhouses, offices, hotel, cafe, theater

- car-free community, boat sharing program- encouraging use of water and river