Public Improvements

The Public Improvements Program was created to continue the commitment that Richland County has in delivering a desirable living environment supported by adequate public infrastructure, particularly for low and moderate income neighborhoods on the South Carolina DHEC’s Water and Sewer Needs List. The following are the current ongoing projects:

Ridgewood Sewer and Water Project 

The Ridgewood neighborhood is one of Richland County’s oldest communities. The predominately African-American neighborhood includes approximately 145 occupied housing units. The project roads include: Ridgeway Avenue, Dixie Avenue, Shady Grove Road, Knightner Street, Woodbriar Street and Darmouth Street. The neighborhood is in Census Tract 106, block group 04; this block group contains 68% low and moderate income residents. To date, over 30 homes have been connected.

Sarah Matthews Road Engineering Project

This upcoming project will consist of engineering for pending relocating, road paving and drainage work on Sarah Matthews Road. The unpaved road is approximately one mile in length. Engineering work includes the road design and construction cost estimates. The Road is located in Census Tract 107.01, block group 03- a block group which has 74.3% low and moderate income residents. The Richland County Public Works Department along with other departments continues to work with property owners in this project’s development.

Hollywood Hills Sewer Project

Once begun and completed, it will provide sewer service to the Hollywood Hills Neighborhood – a low and moderate neighborhood which currently has only partial sewer service. Approximately 42 homes are in need of this sewer service. Hollywood Hills is located in Census Tract 107.02, block group 04 which is over 51% low and moderate income. The project was begun with the selected vendor for engineering services. In addition, the Public Works Department continued working on the easement acquisitions before bidding can occur.

Bookert Heights Sewer Project

This community, listed on the SC DHEC’s needs list is a low and moderate income neighborhood located north of the City of Columbia, above I-20 located off of Heyward Brockington Road. This area is located in census tract 107.01 and Block Group 02. This block group contains approximately 60% low to moderate income persons.

Work is currently underway and all of the pipes and a pump station have been installed. A total of 30 homes are underway and 50 homes have received service and home connections. The project is approximately 90% complete. Final steps include the re-securing of seven easements with a local municipality and installing the remote telemetry monitoring system equipment for the pump station.

For more information, contact Valeria Jackson at jackson.valeria@richlandcountysc.gov.