DENTSVILLE/DECKER AREA MASTER PLAN

Richland County (County) is seeking electronic proposals from qualified and innovative planning consultants with demonstrated experience in community-based master planning and implementation. Envisioned is a plan that incorporates market driven implementation strategies that are imaginative and inclusive of the Denstsville/Decker residents’ and business community’s aspirations.

Richland County is the hub of government and education, supported by a robust healthcare, industrial, and mixed employment sector. Its interstate corridors – Interstate 20, 77, and 26 - coupled with a well-educated and relatively young populace positions the County as a regional growth market. SCOUT Motors, a multi-billion dollar investment, has boosted housing, employment, and commercial expectations. Anticipating growth, the County is on the verge of completing its Reimagine Richland Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan projects the County’s population to reach 450,000 people by 2040, requiring well-thought-out approaches to managing housing, infrastructure, education, services, and amenities. One of the alarming realities is that the County is experiencing an estimated $418 million annual retail leakage.

Reimagine Richland identifies Dentsville/Decker as one of its priority investment areas. The County engaged in master planning for this area in 2007; but not included at the time was the Columbia Place Mall. Design guidelines were developed but administered voluntarily, and the plan largely was not implemented. Richland County’s investment in Columbia Place Mall and continued declining commercial corridors have brought this issue back to the forefront.