Congaree Vista Guild welcomes more than 2,000 new residents to the district
August 22, 2016
The Congaree Vista Guild welcomes more than 2,000 new residents to the district, which has experienced steady growth in recent years. These new residents, many of them students, moved into housing developments recently constructed as the fall semester at the University of South Carolina commences, effectively doubling the resident population in the Vista, estimated to now include approximately 5,000 residents.
New housing developments in the Vista include part of The Apartments at Palmetto Compress (612 Devine St.), Greene Crossing (708 Pulaski St.), Park Place (506 Huger St.) and 650 Lincoln (650 Lincoln St.), which all offer residents an urban environment convenient to the University of South Carolina, shops, restaurants, nightlife and more.
“The Vista has been planning for this influx of residents for quite some time,” said Fred Delk, Vista Guild board member and executive director of Columbia Development Corporation. “Doubling the number of Vista residents adds to the fabric of this historic, artistic neighborhood, and it strengthens the Vista’s ties with USC.”
With this influx of residents, the Vista has also long been working on its plans to keep the neighborhood safe and clean for owners, residents and the millions of visitors that visit annually. The Vista Guild has reorganized its safety ambassador program and now the organization employs two Clean and Safe Ambassadors, whose daily duties include:
– Keeping the neighborhood clean and safe in the heart of the Vista, by picking up light trash and responding to needs and concerns of Vista business and property owners.
– Distributing Vista Guild brochures and maps and offering a friendly face to answer questions from passersby in the neighborhood.
– Remaining in contact with the Vista Guild executive director and board of directors to make them aware of any safety or cleanliness issues in the district.
– Offering assistance to residents and visitors to the Vista.
The Vista Guild’s Clean and Safe ambassadors will work nearly all hours of the day. Ambassadors will wear Congaree Vista logos and hats, and now report directly to and are employed by the Vista Guild. Until recently, the Vista Guild shared the ambassadors (“Yellow Shirts”) with City Center Partnership.
“We’ve been managing the Clean and Safe ambassadors in the Vista for a few weeks now, and we’re so pleased with the ways they have offered our new residents bottled water as the moved in over the weekend, for example, and are working to keep the Vista’s tidiness and safety a top priority,” said Atkinson. “Managing the ambassadors ourselves allows us to address needs that affect the Vista directly, like this influx of new residents and development, and optimize our resources.”
For more information on the Congaree Vista Guild, visit www.VistaColumbia.com, call (803) 269.5946 or follow the Vista on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram: @VistaGuild.
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