Neighborhood Improvement

Overview

The Richland County Neighborhood Improvement Program was established by County Council to coordinate and fund neighborhood master plans and improvement projects in Richland County. The program is a partnership between County government and neighborhood organizations.

The purpose of the Neighborhood Improvement Program is to achieve and sustain wellness in Richland County Neighborhoods through the implementation of projects that establish and enhance overall health socially, economically and physically.

Vision

The vision of the Neighborhood Improvement Program is to cultivate a healthy and happy community composed of quality infrastructure; which connects viable, thriving neighborhoods with essential businesses, services and amenities. NIP strives to execute this vision through projects focused on:

• establishing neighborhood character,
• improving civic infrastructure and
• empowering communities for effective leadership.

Goals

1. Protect and revitalize established neighborhood communities.
2. Empower neighborhoods to sustain a healthy community through civic infrastructure.
3. Strengthen communication between the County and neighborhoods.

Learn about Neighborhood Enrichment Grants

Leadership Training and Events

SPEED - Sustainability, Planning, Education, Engagement, Development

Richland County's Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) hosts monthly educational sessions focusing on Sustainability, Planning, Education, Engagement, and Development. These engaging and informative sessions are designed to empower citizens with valuable knowledge and insights on a diverse range of topics. Whether you're a resident, business owner, or simply curious, our educational sessions are open to all and free to attend. Check back often for updates.

Richland County Neighborhood Council

The Richland County Neighborhood Council (RCNC) exists to aid and assist residents of the County in all matters affecting their daily lives.

The Neighborhood Council is a conduit for receiving and broadcasting information to residents. The Neighborhood Council assembles a diverse mixture of people and concerns. We support law enforcement and government agencies, educating communities about public safety and environmentally sound practices.

It is imperative residents take an active role in their communities if we are to be successful. The Richland County Neighborhood Council needs your support and input, helping us serve your community.

Richland County Neighborhood Council

Neighborhood Planning

Create a Neighborhood Plan

The Neighborhood Improvement Program designed and introduced its first ever Neighborhood Toolkit via an interactive workbook in April 2017 that will help communities create effective mission and vision statements, develop action plans, identify funding opportunities and overcome challenges while implementing neighborhood scale improvement projects. The workbook is aimed at increasing operational efficiency and ownership within your community association.

Download the workbook for your use - Neighborhood Plan Workbook(PDF, 2MB)

In order to complete the Neighborhood Plan Workbook, please view the following material:

• Neighborhood Plan Workbook - Part 1 (PowerPoint)(PDF, 284KB)
• Neighborhood Plan Workbook - Part 2 (PowerPoint)(PDF, 226KB)

Olympia Neighborhood Character Overlay

The Neighborhood Character Overlay (NC-O) District is intended to protect and preserve the unique design features and character of established neighborhoods throughout the County, and to promote new construction that is compatible with the existing neighborhood character. The NC-O District is a flexible tool that may be applied to multiple neighborhoods, each of which will have its own unique architectural, natural, cultural, and historic attributes.

The Olympia Neighborhood Character Overlay will dictate renovations and discourage demolitions to historic structures in the neighborhood to preserve the historic architecture of Olympia. It will require that new construction in the overlay district conforms to or emulates the historic architectural characteristics of Olympia.

Richland County held a public meeting regarding the Olympia Overlay on Jan. 30, 2025 at 701 Whaley St, Columbia SC 29201.

• Overlay Draft Ordinance(PDF, 2MB)
• Overlay Public Presentation(PDF, 1MB)

Neighborhood Master Plans

On March 1, 2005, Richland County Council approved the first 10 priority focal areas for Neighborhood Master Planning. A Neighborhood Master Plan is a detailed study of specific planning issues relating to a residential neighborhood and its commercial component. Each Neighborhood Master Plan is unique, but many contain similar elements such as:

• Community assessments
  • Future land use for residential, commercial, open space, civic and recreational uses
  • Capital improvements that will impact safety, housing, economic development, community access and public services
• Demographics and statistics
• Public meetings and workshops
• Assessment of challenges and needs
• Strategies to guide community improvements and growth
  • Priority of improvements
  • Cost estimates
  • Timelines for implementation and completion

Once approved by County Council, the Neighborhood Master Plan is incorporated into the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Neighborhood Improvement Program is tasked with ensuring completion of the master plans and working with Council to initiate the plans’ respective strategies and implementation program.

Neighborhood Master Plan Areas