Joe Taylor, prominent Columbia councilman who recently died, will get honorary street name
The late Columbia Councilman Joe Taylor will soon become a permanent fixture in the Vista. His colleagues voted unanimously Tuesday to dedicate a portion of Washington Street in his name.
Taylor died unexpectedly in late December, just a year after being elected to represent Columbia’s District 4 on city council. He was 64 years old.
“Every day I continue to hear about things he did that a lot of us that were close to him didn’t even know he did,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann before City Council took its vote. “He made such a difference, and I think this is well warranted.”
Taylor previously served as South Carolina’s commerce secretary from 2005 to 2011, the primary figure in state government promoting business development and investment in the Palmetto State, serving under former Gov. Mark Sanford.
Taylor is credited with luring Boeing to the state and helping to catalyzing a manufacturing renaissance for South Carolina.
He became a dominant force in Columbia’s business community and later on City Council, where he advocated for tax reform and less red tape for small businesses.
He founded Southland Log Homes with his father, served as CEO of Park and Washington LLC and was co-owner of Il Bucato pizza restaurant on Beltline Boulevard. He also had a hand in several real estate developments around the area.
Joe E. Taylor Jr. Way banners will hang at 800 Washington and 1400 Gadsden streets and 900 Washington and 1400 Park streets.
