Signs on the corner of Trenholm and Decker in front of Taco Bell and in front of Dent Middle Schools
Decker Boulevard is back. Those were the words from Richland County Councilman Jim Manning at a press conference Tuesday, March 27 to announce the developments on the International Corridor. One of the biggest issues that Manning and Richland County Council have adressed is negative publicity.
“ We’ve had some perceptions that there are so many empty store fronts that Decker Boulevard is dead. That’s an inaccurate statement. The occupancy rate along the Decker Corridor is at or a little below the county’s average.”
The perceptions haven’t just been contained to empty buildings, but also to crime. Manning says that despite the rumor of high crime rates on Decker Boulevard, the facts state the opposite. David Whigham, owner of The Comedy House, agrees with Manning. “The crime rate on Decker Boulevard is no worse than any other community, and I mean that. We have been here five years this December, and I have had no issues.”
It was because of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department that Whigham decided to move The Comedy House to Decker Boulevard.
The last year has seen a lot of improvements to the International Corridor. Just last April, Fred Kotoske, owner of Taco Bell, moved the restaurant to a new location on Decker Boulevard, the first new building to be built in five years.
The new restaurant marked the end of a project that began five years ago when Kotoske embarked on an expansion plan. It was then that he questioned whether or not to remain on Decker. After conducting some studies, Kotoske decided to stay and invested $1.5 million in the new location. Since the move, he has seen nearly 50% increase in customers.
Over the summer Decker saw even more improvements. In conjunction with the Decker Boulevard Business Coalition, Richland County helped put up 26 new street lights on the corridor. There are also two new signs, one in front of Taco Bell and the other in front of Dent Middle School, making motorists aware of the International Corridor.
Manning announced that Richland County Council has approved a grant that will allow up to $ 10,000 per business to improve the outside appearance of the business. “ There have been a lot of people that have done a lot of things to bring Decker Boulevard back to its heyday,” Manning said.
There will be even more changes to Decker as the months come including some new occupants at the Decker Center, formerly Decker Mall. According to Manning, the Richland County Magistrate Court System and some divisions of the Richland County Sheriff’s office will be moving into the center.
The revitalization of Decker Boulevard has not only been important to the business owners along the corridor, but also to Richland County. “It’s extremely important because of economic development. This corridor has a lot of mom and pop businesses. They are a vital main part of the community,” Manning said.
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