Palmetto Trust Preservation Projects

After almost a year of Palmetto Trust’s actions and advocacy across our state to gather support for the protection of the historic 45+- acres of the 181 acre state hospital site on Bull street, Columbia’s Planning Commission approved the application with a 5 to 3 vote on August 3 in Council Chambers of Columbia City hall.

Though the iconic dome of the Babcock building has long been designated a landmark by the city, there remains over 400,000 square feet of unprotected space within the district that we have targeted as too valuable to lose. They all tell the dramatic story of an impressive history in how SC has dealt with mental health over the past 150 years and their reuse as economically contributing buildings is not only possible, but vital to a thoughtful and sustainable development that will be viable for future generations of South Carolinians.

Be assured the Mental Health Commission and the real estate company representing the property still maintains that any historic designation will diminish their value and they will be at the hearing arguing their case. Their representatives enjoy saying that our actions have placed “hurtles” to the sale of the property.

If selling the property means limiting the sale to one developer who will purchase at one time with no planning for the future needs of Columbia, then we gladly profess guilt.

We also declare that if the Mental Health Commission would have developed partnerships with teams of developers who can leverage available tax credits, share the risk, and phase the development over a period of time, then they would have already had agreements to sell the property in place now, ultimately making more income for the mental health needs across the state.

Please take the opportunity to read through the editorials and history below, and if you feel like we do, then stand in the corridors and council chambers of Columbia City hall and let your voice be heard.

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IN THE NEWS:

- Click Here to see all of Hidden Columbia's video feature's on the State Hospital.
- From the Director - The State Hospital: Understanding Opportunities - October 23, 2009
- Bull Street property deal breaker targeted - The State, Oct. 06, 2009
- City delays decision on Bull Street - by Adam Beam - The State, Sep. 17, 2009
- Bedenbaugh: Historic overlay would enhance property value - by Michael Bedenbaugh - The State, Guest Columnist, Sep. 16, 2009
- Dual plans in motion to make use of old Bull St. Hospital, WIS TV,  Aug 04, 2009
- Panel OKs Bull Street preservation, The State, August 4, 2009
-What Will Happen to the Babcock Building?  - Preservation Nation, July 2009 
-The Palmetto Trust thanks Kevin Fisher for his column this week in Free Times supporting our call to save the State Hospital buildings and supporting Councilwoman Gergel’s efforts to get the City on board with protection of these invaluable structures.
 Read his article here. Thanks Kevin!
- The FreeTimes writes about the Bull Street Propert on March 25, 2009
- Mike talks about the State Hospital on Bob Becker’s “Your Day” - March 16, 2009
- Mike responds to an editorial in the Columbia Regional Business Report - March 23, 2009
-Mike responds to a GoUpstate Op-Ed about the State Hospital, Feb. 2009
-Check out these additions to our Endangered Properties.
- Article from The State paper on January 29, 2009.
- Mike talks about the Bull Street campus on Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly.

  - Click here to explore the Bull Street campus through a satellite view.

  - The SC Commission on Mental Health to honor the restoration and historic landscape elements of the master plan that was created by Duany and Associates in 2004.

  - The Palmetto Trust urges the Commission to accept bids from developers who only want to focus on the 45+ acres that make up the historical core of the property.

  - Further the Trust recommends that the City of Columbia designate landmark status to buildings deemed eligible for the National Register.

  - Finally, the organization suggests that the SC Legislature expand the scope of state preservation tax credits for abandoned government buildings to encourage private investment.

The majority of historical structures are on the 45+ acres that make up the nucleus of the property, now owned by the South Carolina Commission on Mental Health, The entire site is decidedly one of the most important tracks of land available in the state.

The blue is available for sale.
The red is what the Trust feels is the historic core of the property.

In late 2004, the Central Carolina Community Foundation hired well-known designer Andres Duany.  Duany and his team were asked to create a new urbanism development for Bull Street that includes residential, commercial and retail space, including live/work units.

The Duany plan specifically addressed reuse of the historic Babcock building and many of the other historical structures now threatened, including space for parks, walking trails and greenways.  The majority of established trees on site also would be saved.

Michael Bedenbaugh, executive director of Palmetto Trust says, “Our organization is concerned about what will happen to the existing buildings on site.  These include many structures that help tell an important story in South Carolina’s history: the Babcock Building with its iconic cupola; the Laundry building; the Parker Annex building; the Bakery; and two dining halls.  These structures constitute a large portion of the almost 500,000 sq. ft. of building space available for reuse.”

“The South Carolina taxpayers have been investing in this site for over 160 years,” says Bedenbaugh.  “It would be a travesty of irresponsibility to allow that investment to be lost.  The Palmetto Trust strongly urges this part of history – the existing structures – be maintained.  It’s the prudent way to use this land – not only historically and environmentally, but financially as well.”

Bedenbaugh says that redeveloping buildings for mixed-use and infill considerations – especially those of historical significance – saves money by not duplicating new housing units and commercial property in another location.

“It’s better for the environment by saving on materials and avoiding landfill usage.  And as an added bonus,” he says, “adaptive reuse adds to the diversity of our architectural environment.”

The commercial real estate firm of NAI Avant of Columbia is handling the sale of the entire Bull St. property.