Growth & Development: Top residential development projects show record growth in Columbia

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·5 min read

Columbia's continued growth can be marked by its many ongoing residential and industrial projects, which aim to bring thousands of new homes and jobs to the area over the next 10 years.

As one of the fastest growing areas in Tennessee, there is a need to provide a diverse amount of housing for current and incoming residents. And while the city's growth includes new businesses, industrial parks and roadway projects, housing remains one of the top markets for development.

This can be indicated by the trend of increased requests for building permits for new construction, which have doubled since 2018, according to Columbia's Development Services Department.

Growth in Columbia: What does city data show about unprecedented growth in Columbia?

These are some of the top residential development projects currently underway and/or are awaiting final approval from Columbia City Council.

Greens Mill Road project

Summary: Annexation for the development at Greens Mill Road was initially approved by Columbia City Council in November 2021. The project, which initially included 700 homes, sparked controversy early from nearby residents concerned with bringing high-density housing to the rural area, as well as potential traffic safety issues. It has since been reduced to 550 homes with increased green space, as well as proposals to improve the roadway at the property.

What's being constructed: 550 single-family homes on 375 acres at 2558 Greens Mill Road

Dozens of residents on Greens Mill Road have displayed signs opposing a proposal for a 700-home residential development that they say would ruin the pastoral landscape and increase traffic.
Dozens of residents on Greens Mill Road have displayed signs opposing a proposal for a 700-home residential development that they say would ruin the pastoral landscape and increase traffic.

More: City council grants final approval of Greens Mill Road annexation

Comments: "I was really happy with how that project turned out, and think we found a good middle ground as far as the houses," Ward 5 Councilman Danny Coleman, who also sits on the planning commission, said. "And there were things outside of the housing where the developer is paying a certain amount to the road department."

Trotwood Avenue near Ridley Park

Summary: Planned Unit Development recently approved by Columbia Planning Commission in April 2023 following multiple revisions. The latest modification includes reducing the lot numbers from 815 to 765, increased open space from 149 to 189 acres. The item, which continues to draw concerns from nearby residents regarding high-density housing, will go before Columbia City Council in May.

What's being proposed: Multiple single-family homes located near Ridley Park, with amenities that include multiple acres of green space to be used for three miles of walking trails, sidewalks on Old Zion Road and increased buffering for homes located near the park. Approximately 31 acres of open space will also be dedicated to Ridley Park.

Comments: "There have been quite a lot of changes, where the initial proposal was 987 lots, and we are now at 765," Director of Developments Paul Keltner said.

"They reduced the density even more, provided more hiking trails and green space and provided a greater buffer to the homes in the county that were requesting they have more of a buffer before this large-scale development," Mayor Chaz Molder said.

Homes in various stages of construction stand on the drumwright property in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 20, 2023.
Homes in various stages of construction stand on the drumwright property in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 20, 2023.

Drumwright Development

Summary: The Drumwright masterplan features a collection of townhomes located off Nashville Highway. The property, located near the adjacent Greens Mill development, is currently under construction and is expected to house 400 units.

What's being constructed: 400 units at U.S. Highway 31 and Greens Mill Road.

Apartments in Neapolis (northern Columbia)

Summary: Neapolis and other parts of north Columbia is the site for many new and upcoming residential projects, primarily apartments and townhomes. These include hundreds of units located just off Nashville Highway, such as Arden Village, Independence at Carters Station, Homestead at Carters Station and the newest complex City Limits.

What's being built: Multiple units consisting of apartments, townhomes and single-family units.

Downtown Columbia apartments

Summary: Recently approved by the Municipal Planning Commission, a proposed multi-family apartment complex is to be located at East 7th, Woodland and North Glade Streets and a portion of East 6th Street. The project currently awaits review and approval by the Columbia City Council, and will appear on the board's May agenda.

What's being proposed: A five-story structure featuring 278 units located on 2.5 acres near the downtown square, along with a 380-space parking garage. An additional 42 on-street parking spaces will also be constructed along East 7th and Woodland Streets.

Comments: "This will be the first high-end residential complex in the downtown district, which will create significant density," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "It'll put traffic downtown, help our small businesses and should also help the creation of new small businesses and restaurants. An apartment complex in your downtown district will naturally lead to more commerce, which of course we continuously promote."

"I'm excited for this to come to downtown. It'll be busier, but the business will help support the businesses that are down here," Ward 5 Councilman Danny Coleman said. "It's going to breathe more life as the downtown continues to grow, especially toward 8th Street, which is an area that remains largely untouched."

The location on Woodland Street where an apartment complex has been proposed in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 25, 2023.
The location on Woodland Street where an apartment complex has been proposed in Columbia, Tenn. on Apr. 25, 2023.

Council member: Diversity of housing builds workforce

The drive to create new and diverse housing will continue to be a part of the city's growth over the next few years.

According to city and county leaders over 15,000 new rooftops will be constructed over the several years as current residents struggle with rising housing prices, inflation and the increased demand of buyers in a seller's market.

City leaders also say one of the many factors of growth is increased commerce, jobs, small businesses and an evolving city's identity.

"I really hope people know that whether we are at the City Council or planning commission, we all take it very seriously that we are allowing houses to be built," City councilmember Danny Coleman, Ward 5, said.

"But at the same time, it's not that we are necessarily 'allowing' but we are guiding. When I think about development, it's that we have a variety of homes ... and if we don't offer a diversity of housing, we don't have a diversity of people that live here. If we don't have a diversity of people that live here, then we won't have a diversity of workforce options."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia's top residential development projects