The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is planning millions of dollars in expansion projects in an effort to bring in more airlines and flyers, CAE leadership announced April 24.
The first of the airport-wide overhaul includes expanding security lanes from two to four. Work began late last year on the checkpoint expansion, but customers will only begin to feel the effects of the construction project this summer.
Word on how exactly flyers entering and exiting the airport’s terminal will be impacted will come in the next few weeks, but the short-term headaches on travelers’ wait times will pay dividends when security capacity doubles next year.
Other projects in the works include a U.S. Customs area for international passengers — the airport wants to expand on overseas flights as the number of flyers is expected to surpass peak pre-pandemic levels this year.
“With the amount of passengers we see on a daily basis … we need to focus on growth and expansion,” the airport’s VP of engineering and planning Frank Murray said at Wednesday’s press conference. “The time is now.”
Other projects include upgrading parking features — which comes with higher rates — to make the parking process more efficient and installing solar panels on the garage’s roof. Airport CEO Mike Gula said the hope is for the solar farm to cover 50 percent of the terminal’s energy usage when it’s up and running.
The improvements stem from years of planning. The airport received its first chunk of state funding, $6 million, three years ago, which they used to fund the design phase of the security lane expansion. The airport also secured federal money from the COVID-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for the projects.
Community center in northeast Columbia gets revamp
A community center and headquarters for a nonprofit in northeast Columbia is set to celebrate its renovation with a block party April 28.
The center, which now has a basketball court and an outdoor pavilion, among other renovations, is the headquarters for Serve & Connect. The nonprofit, founded in 2015, is aimed at fostering community between residents and local law enforcement.
The renovations to the building at 8131 Brookfield Rd. was done in partnership with the Columbia Chamber's Leadership Columbia group, which chooses a project each year to focus on.
To celebrate the renovations to the center, the Leadership Columbia initiative will throw a block party. The event will last from 3 until 7 p.m. on April 28 and feature food, entertainment and information about the nonprofit. It's open to the public.
"It's an opportunity to celebrate not only the physical improvements to the community center, but also the spirit of unity and connection that defines our city," said Emily James, a member of this year's Leadership Columbia initiative.
Other business news you might've missed:
A national barbecue chain, Mission BBQ, has circled an opening date for its upcoming Columbia location.
The grand opening for the location, at 275 Harbison Blvd., will be April 30, according to the company's website. The eatery has locations across 19 states, including a stop in Myrtle Beach.
A new $148 million medical park from Prisma Health is coming to northeast Columbia, after officials broke ground on the project April 23. The multi-story outpatient facility, aimed to open in the fall of 2025, will feature four operating rooms for same-day procedures, more than 100 exam rooms and a drive-thru pharmacy.
Planned for 1120 Roberts Branch Parkway, just off of Interstate 77, the building is set for an area that is expected to grow in the coming years, as the Midlands prepares for the opening of Scout Motors. The Volkswagen subsidiary is the largest economic development grab in the county's history.
"For the past 10 years, we've seen the significant growth that's happened in the northeast ... we know we can expect additional growth to come," Jesica Mackey, chairwoman of the Richland County Council, said during the ground breaking.
Crave, a popular artisan market and lunchtime cafe on Millwood Avenue, will expand its reach in the Columbia-area when it opens a location on Meeting Street in West Columbia, Free Times' food writer Jane Godiner reported.
Owners of the eatery haven't yet circled an opening date, but the building at 725 Meeting St. was purchased in January of this year. The building once held Primal Gourmet and Brickhouse Coffee, before Primal closed its doors in April 2022. Brickhouse moved just next door at 729 Meeting St.
