A large parking lot on the 1400 block in the middle of downtown Columbia will be redeveloped as part of a public-private project with developer Core Spaces that city and county leaders on Tuesday called a legacy move.
The lot sandwiched between Assembly and Main streets will be redeveloped for two, 20-plus story mixed-use apartment buildings: one facing Main Street at market value, the other facing Assembly Street for students.
Next door, the city is consolidating all of its services into the one building at 1401 Main St., with plans to open a lobby coffee shop and install pop-up shops.
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said the $49 million project that includes outdoor space and 1,600 parking spaces will help transform the downtown corridor.
"This is what we needed," Rickenmann said. "This is the boost that helps keep our young professionals here."
Work will start this fall.
Developers expect to be finished by summer 2028.
