High-speed chase attorney in West Columbia, SC

WEST COLUMBIA — As West Columbia moves closer to finalizing plans to narrow a main road, some residents and local business owners have concerns that the plan could cause issues with traffic and access along the street.

The revitalization project, sometimes nicknamed a “road diet”, will take Meeting Street from a four-lane thoroughfare into a two-lane street. The project will extend from the beginning of Sunset Boulevard to 9th Street, just shy of a mile of roadway – complete with sidewalks, landscaped medians, and 63 street-parking spaces.

West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said the purpose of the road diet is to create a more walkable district that will pull activity up from the popular River District.

“For years, we’ve wanted to spread the revitalization energy that we’ve worked so hard to get going across our town,” Miles said. “This is part of that.”

Councilmember David Moye said that safety was also a big factor in planning the road diet, which has been in the works for the past 15 years.

“Meeting street has a real problem with pedestrian and bike crashes and fatalities, even with the relatively few people walking or biking there now. If nothing is done, this will only get worse as the area becomes more popular,” Moye said.

But some residents and business owners along Meeting Street have criticized the proposed plans.

Restricted access?

Willie Wells, who owns Bill’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor, said he’s concerned the proposed medians will make it impossible for performers with larger vehicles and buses to get in and out of his parking lot.

“I’ve got a 45-foot bus that I move in and out of here. When I have to get out of here, I’ve got to go all the way into the other lane. But if there's an island, I’d have to run up all over the median,” Wells said.

The current projections show seven medians up and down the 0.81-mile stretch, landscaped with trees and shrubs.

Wells isn’t convinced that the project will encourage more people to walk and shop along the road. Instead, he’s worried that it will decrease the visibility of his business.

“They’re telling me they want more foot traffic. Foot traffic from where? There’s no foot traffic,” Wells said. “What it’s going to do is hurt some of the businesses up and down the road, because everybody's not going to come down Meeting Street anymore. They’re going to go over to Jarvis Clapman (Boulevard), and we’re going to lose traffic.”

Across the street at Best Mattress, owner Buddy Delaney shared similar concerns, but said he sees both sides of the issue.

“On one hand, I’m really happy about where the city is going and the exciting things we’ve got going on,” Delaney said, noting his family’s store has been in town for almost a century. “But, I’m also a little concerned about narrowing the streets and adding the curbs and the medians. It’s just going to make it a little more difficult to get our tractor trailers in.”

The business has large trucks moving lumber, steel, and foam in and out of their manufacturing facility almost daily. Delaney believes the city can work out a "compromise" on the medians, perhaps by making them less wide or changing their placement. In general, he said he’s in favor of a slower moving Meeting Street.

Limited flexibility

The mayor said the plans are not finalized yet, but the city wanted to have a concept to take to stakeholders for input. Discussions with those business owners remain ongoing, and he hopes that plans will be finalized within the next couple of weeks.

Miles said the city has limited flexibility on the location of the medians, because SCDOT has asked for medians in specific locations to avoid dangerous cross-traffic turning.

“I don’t know what the final outcome is going to be. It’s still a work in progress. You may have seven (medians), you may have fewer,” he added.

It’s not just business owners who have been speaking out, though. Residents have taken to social media to voice concerns that the road diet will create a “bottleneck” during rush hour. One commenter called the move “short-sighted”, complaining that West Columbia is growing and that traffic is only going to get worse.

In response, Miles has been posting his own “traffic studies” from his walks up and down the street.

“Morning rush hour traffic study in progress: 8:19 am. Not a single east bound car,” he posted to social media alongside a photo of a single car idling at a stoplight.

The mayor said he’s been posting in part to provide a visual for how limited the scope of the project is, and also to give a reference for traffic utilization.

“It’s easy to say during rush hour it’s always crowded, but it’s not. Look, most of the time (there’s traffic) it’s not even due to rush hour,” Miles said.

Some residents raised concerns that the road diet will route increased traffic to the “rotting” bridges on Jarvis Clapman Boulevard and Blossom Street, pointing to the potholes riddling the pavement.

Miles agreed that the bridges were in “terrible shape,” but said those lines of inquiry were "disingenuous."

While he said the bridges all need work, he doesn’t believe the narrowing of Meeting Street will impact which point of entry to Columbia drivers choose.

The project will cost approximately $7.5 million, with a portion of that funding coming from COVID-relief funds. Miles expects the work to take about a year, wrapping up around early 2027.

WEST COLUMBIA — Officials have few updates on plans for a mixed-use development near West Columbia's infamous chicken plant. It is unclear if the project is still moving forward, but some action at the site may give an idea.

Developer Baker Commercial Properties announced plans for a 220-unit apartment building, a grocery store and several other retail spots for the plot of land across Sunset Boulevard from the House of Raeford chicken plant in May 2024.

The city approved a development agreement with Baker for the project in October of that year. Despite lingering concerns the long-standing chicken plant could derail the long-term development of the area, work on the project seemed imminent.

Since then, construction has yet to begin. Fencing has been put up in the parking lot of the vacant shopping center currently on the property, and local staple Chinese restaurant The Eggroll Station, whose former building is owned by Baker and included in the footprint for the proposed redevelopment, closed in December 2025 in advance of the project.

Representatives for Baker Commercial Properties, which owns almost the entirety of the block, had not responded to requests for comment at press time. The Capitol Square redevelopment is no longer listed on the company’s online portfolio.

West Columbia elected officials had little news on the project.

Mayor Tem Miles said the city had “no updates at this time,” and city spokesperson Anna Huffman said no new plans had been submitted or construction permits issued.

The development agreement approved by the city in 2024 has no expiration date, Huffman said.

“There’s been some dialogue between the developer and the city, but nothing concrete as far as if any plans have changed or not,” West Columbia City Councilman David Moye said.

City officials have continued to push for the property to be developed into a long-awaited grocery store, additional parking for the State Street corridor and other commercial use, Moye said.

“We’re always reiterating the needs of the neighborhood and the desires of the neighborhood,” he said.

The shopping center on the property has been vacant since late 2023 and represents a large gap in the ongoing redevelopment of West Columbia’s State Street and riverfront district into a walkable entertainment attraction.

The House of Raeford Farms chicken plant looms over the area, both visually and aromatically. Many have remained skeptical of the Baker property’s development future as long as the plant remains on site.

The plant has a history of complaints from both the public and the city, and there were reports it could close if Raeford was able to open a new plant in Aiken, but that proposed facility stalled after Aiken city and county officials did not approve necessary tax agreements and water-and-sewer improvements.

House of Raeford told The Post and Courier in 2024 that it was still seeking another location somewhere in the state, and company spokesperson David Witter recently confirmed there was no news since that last update.

The city has outlined plans to acquire and repurpose the chicken plant’s property when the opportunity arises. The facility employs approximately 600 people and is West Columbia’s largest water customer.

House of Raeford holds a small lot of property within the planned redevelopment site, in the former shopping center’s parking lot and surrounded by the land owned by Baker.

Leaders at the chicken plant have heard no updates on the Baker project since the city approved the plans, Witter said.

One of the easiest national parks to reach, Congaree National Park sits just southeast of Columbia, South Carolina. The park is entered through the Harry Hampton Visitor Center via Bluff Road and a short network of rural access roads. All four towns featured here are located within a 60-minute drive of the main entrance and are selected for their practical role in trip planning. There are no services inside the park, which makes planning ahead essential. Each town provides a clear set of visitor services, such as lodging, restaurants, fuel, groceries, outdoor retail, guided activities, or public transportation, that support a smooth approach to the park. Together, these gateways allow visitors to plan ahead before entering Congaree’s old-growth floodplain forest and elevated boardwalk system.

West Columbia

Located directly across the Congaree River from downtown Columbia, West Columbia functions as one of the closest full-service bases for reaching Congaree National Park. Lodging options include Sleep Inn West Columbia-Columbia Airport, positioned along primary approach routes used by park visitors. Dining clusters along Meeting Street and Knox Abbott Drive provide dependable pre- or post-park meals at Café Strudel and Savage Craft Ale Works. Fuel and groceries are easy to arrange before heading into the park corridor, with Shell (24/7), Circle K (24/7), and Publix Supermarket at Gervais Place located close to I-77 and Bluff Road.

West Columbia also supports park-oriented trips through outfitters and guided services. Palmetto Outdoor operates locally and runs guided kayaking and canoe trips on Cedar Creek and the Congaree River, including shuttle-supported routes through old-growth floodplain forest. For equipment and clothing, Half-Moon Outfitters sells camping, hiking, and water sports gear, including established outdoor footwear and apparel brands. Drivers reach the park by following SC-48 (Bluff Road) southeast, then continuing onto South Cedar Creek Road and Old Bluff Road to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. Visitors without a car can use COMET Route 47, which runs from the West Columbia-Columbia area to a stop near the visitor center.

Cayce

Set along the lower Congaree River corridor, Cayce works as a pared-down gateway for travelers who want efficient access without navigating a large commercial district. The drive to the park averages about 26 minutes, depending on traffic. Lodging near I-26 includes Masters Inn, positioned for quick departures toward Bluff Road. Dining options are many, with Steel Hands Brewing for drinks and D & D Country Cooking, an American restaurant known for simple and filling meals. Fuel stops are available at Exxon, while groceries can be picked up at Food Lion, allowing visitors to stock up before heading into the park corridor.

Transportation access remains Cayce’s main advantage. COMET Route 47 runs from Cayce and downtown Columbia to a stop near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, making it possible to reach the park without a car. Drivers follow SC-48 (Bluff Road) southeast, then continue onto South Cedar Creek Road and Old Bluff Road to reach the entrance. While outdoor retail options within Cayce are limited, several well-regarded outfitters operate nearby in Columbia, including Barron’s Outfitters, located about 5.7 miles away and offering gear for paddling, fishing, and backcountry use in and around Congaree.

Lexington

Lexington offers a larger commercial base than the closer-in gateways, making it a practical option for visitors who want more choices. The drive to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center typically takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Lodging is concentrated along U.S. Route 378, with dependable options such as Hampton Inn & Suites Lexington Columbia and Quality Inn Lexington- Horse Park. Restaurants cluster along the same corridor, including O’Hara’s Public House and Libby’s, which work well for a full meal before or after a park visit. Fuel is readily available at Shell and BP, while groceries can be picked up at Publix Super Market at Hendrix Crossing or Lidl, a lower-cost option for stocking up on trail food and supplies.

While Lexington itself focuses on core services, outdoor retail is close by. Mountain High Outfitters is located about 11 miles away in the Columbia area and carries camping, hiking, paddling, and footwear brands suited to Congaree’s terrain. Drivers typically leave Lexington via U.S. 378 toward Columbia, then connect to SC-48 (Bluff Road) before continuing onto South Cedar Creek Road and Old Bluff Road to reach the park entrance.

Camden

This town works best as a plan-ahead base for visitors who prefer to settle in before an early drive into the national park. The drive to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center typically takes about 42 minutes, keeping the town within a comfortable morning window. Lodging is concentrated along U.S. Route 521, with dependable options such as Comfort Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn, both positioned for efficient departures. Dining options are spread between the historic downtown and nearby corridors, with established stops including Sam Kendall’s and Camden House of Pizza, which provide pre- or post-park meals.

Fuel is readily available at Exxon and BP stations, while groceries can be picked up at Food Lion, allowing visitors to stock up before leaving town. For outdoor clothing and casual wear, Pee Dee Outfitters serves as a local retail stop, carrying well-known brands such as Patagonia and Columbia. Drivers typically head south toward the Columbia area, then connect with SC-48 (Bluff Road) before continuing onto South Cedar Creek Road and Old Bluff Road to reach the park entrance.

Within The Hour Of Congaree

Choosing the right base town makes a clear difference when planning a visit, especially when all options sit within a 60-minute drive. West Columbia offers the most direct approach, combining outfitter access, dining clusters, lodging, fuel, groceries, and public transit tied to the park entrance. Just south of the city core, Cayce provides a compact setup with lodging, fuel, groceries, local dining, and rare bus access to the visitor center. Lexington adds broader hotel, restaurant, grocery, fuel, and nearby outdoor retail options within a straightforward drive window. Farther north, Camden rounds out the list as a calm overnight base with dependable lodging, food, fuel, groceries, and clothing outfitting before an early park entry.

The Buddhist monks traveling across South Carolina on a Walk for Peace will appear in downtown Columbia on Saturday afternoon.

At previous stops in South Carolina, the group of two dozen Buddhist monks have followed a familiar routine in interacting with their supporters.

But in a Facebook post Friday night, the monks said they would avoid having public visitation during their daily lunch stop before noon, due to limited parking at the undisclosed location.

Instead, the monks will participate in two “peace gatherings” on Saturday. One will gather on the West Columbia side of the Gervais Street bridge at 2 p.m. The group and supporters will then walk into Columbia to the south steps of the State House from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., according to local non-profit Be the Ones.

As part of the State House gathering, the monks will be presented with a city proclamation by Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and a state proclamation by state Sen. Deon Tedder.

The next overnight stop on the journey had not been confirmed Friday night. The live map of the journey can be seen on Walk for Peace website.

Since they set out Oct. 26, the Walk for Peace has become a social media sensation, partly based on the appeal of the monks’ rescue dog, Aloka the Peace Dog, who has traveled with them the entire way. Large crowds have gathered to greet the monks every stop of the way, and will doubtless do the same in South Carolina’s capital city.

On Friday night, visitor parking at Tom’s Den on Augusta Road just outside Lexington filled up shortly after 4 p.m., hours before the monks had actually arrived at their overnight stop.

The Walk for Peace entered South Carolina from Georgia on Monday, more than two months after the monks left from their home temple in Forth Worth, Texas. The monks have walked more than 1,500 of the 2,300 miles they intend to travel to Washington, D.C. So far, the group has traveled across six states and Columbia will be the fifth state capital the monks have visited.

From the Savannah River, the Walk for Peace has spent a week going across McCormick, Edgefield and Saluda counties before the trek passed through Lexington on Friday. After visiting Columbia, the monks will turn north on their way to the nation’s capital, passing through Rock Hill on the way into North Carolina early next week.

Times, locations for Monks’ visit to Columbia

South Carolina nonprofit Be the Ones is partnering with Walk for Peace to host two events Saturday afternoon, one in West Columbia and the other at the S.C. Statehouse in Columbia.

The first event is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 on the West Columbia side of the Gervais Street Bridge.

Between 3 and 4 p.m., the monks and Aloka will gather at the S.C. Statehouse (110 Gervais St.). The monks will be recognized with proclamations from Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and state Sen. Deon Tedder, D-Charleston.

“We believe peace starts locally, with how we show up for one another, listen, and act with care and compassion,” Cate Mayer, Be the Ones founder and executive director, said in a press release. “We’re grateful to work in coordination with the Walk for Peace team to help create meaningful spaces for reflection, connection, and shared commitment here in Columbia and across South Carolina.”

When greeting the monks, there are a few things to keep in mind:

According to the Abhayagiri Monastery, the most common way to greet a Buddhist monk is with the añjali. This is when you press your palms together in font of your chest.

“It is a gesture of respect that can be used as a greeting, a goodbye, a thank-you or when speaking with one of the monastics,” the monastery advised.

The monks stopped in Edgefield County Jan. 7 where they were greeted by a few hundred supporters and one protestor, whom they gifted a flower and bottle of water, according to reporting from The Aiken Standard.