Hurricane Builders, Inspired Communities, Russell Jeffcoat Realtors, the Midlands Community Development Corporation (MCDC), and Bible Way Church of Atlas Road celebrated the opening of Congaree Pointe™ during a ceremonial ribbon cutting June 14.

Families began moving into the new southeast Columbia neighborhood in April. Twelve houses have been constructed, and additional contracts are pending for this summer. Congaree Pointe™ is a 300+ home community planned through a unique partnership of private entities. None of the homes are subsidized. The Congaree Pointe™ initiative seeks to have a direct impact on the number of actual and potential homeowners who come to, live in, work in, and seek to remain in the Atlas Road area. Two hundred people were on site for the ribbon cutting, and 70 individuals completed the tour of homes featuring four of the eight floor plans offered in the sub- division.

The Bible Way Church of Atlas Road (BWCAR) purchased 100+ acres of property along the Bluff and Atlas Road intersection and has collaborated with Inspired Communities, Hurricane Builders, and the MCDC on this major initiative that will bring new life to these areas. The partners are planning a major mixeduse development that will contain residential, commercial, recreational, and civic components along the Bluff and Atlas intersection.

More than 300 new homes are planned in this initial subdivision. A range of home styles and prices will be offered in the urban development.

Spacious floor plans, garage options, and sprinkler systems for lawn maintenance, are just a few of the amenities planned for the new homes. Pocket parks and other open green spaces will also be features that promote active recreation. This includes walking paths, ball fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

One of the central themes in the design of the development is the "5- minute walk" principle, wherein residents can park their cars and walk to nearby retail and commercial establishments.

Retail space is also planned for large and small vendors. Many current residents have indicated a strong desire to see grocery stores, cleaners, ice cream parlors, beauty shops, restaurants, etc. in the area. Still others have expressed a desire for an incubator where local entrepreneurs can launch businesses. Commercial partners are being sought to further develop the commercial complex. MCDC is also working with area physicians to bring a 24,000 square foot medical office complex to this area so that primary health care is accessible.

Development of the commercial and residential components will continue in Phase I. The entire project development is expected to occur over the next five years.