Bull Street Commission
Regular MeetingColumbia, SC · November 18, 2024
Minutes
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The Columbia Bull Street Commission conducted a meeting on Monday, November
18, 2024 at Segra Park / MUSC Health Conference Room, 1640 Freed Street,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, Chair called the
meeting to order at 2:07 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Tyler D. Bailey Chair Present
Lyle Darnall Board Member Present
Ashley Cady Elsey Board Member Present
Rebecca Haynes Board Member Absent
Kristen Jerome Board Member Absent
Sabrina Odom Board Member Present
Matt Varner Board Member Present
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission Meeting Minutes – Approved
Upon a motion made by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Ms. Odom, the Commission
voted unanimously to approve the September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission
Meeting Minutes.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Fireflies 2024 Season Recap and Event Highlights - Mr. Brad Shank, President,
Columbia Fireflies – Received as information
Mr. Brad Shank, President of Columbia Fireflies provided an update on the team's
activities and plans. He highlighted significant community engagement initiatives,
including hosting over 800 soldiers from Fort Jackson for a special baseball game;
record breaking 8,134 attendees for Bluey Night; a successful Harry Potter-themed
night; and a first responders night. While the season's attendance was slightly
lower than the previous year due to weather-related challenges, special events like
the Taco and Margarita Festival and fireworks shows with the South Carolina
Philharmonic Orchestra boosted overall numbers. The Fireflies also expanded their
event offerings, including the popular Holiday Lights show, which saw a substantial
increase in attendance. The team is focused on continuing to grow community
engagement and improve ticket sales for the 2024 season.
1
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024
There was discussion about distinguishing between special events and other types
of events; ticket pricing; additional event suggestions; and coordinating Banana
Ball games.
3. Midtown at Bull Attainable Housing Project - Mr. Kevin Connelly, President,
Connelly Builders Inc. – Received as information
Mr. Kevin Connnely, President, Connelly Builders Inc. provided an update on the
Midtown at BullStreet development, the first affordable workforce housing project in
the BullStreet District. The development will include 80 units, with 16 townhomes
and 72 apartments, comprised of 42 one-bedroom, 6 two-bedroom, and 24 three-
bedroom units. Rent will range from $210 to $1,550 per month, based on the area
median income (AMI) scale. Amenities will include a community room, exercise
room, library, computer center, playground, and gazebo. The estimated completion
dates are late December 2024 for the townhomes and late April 2025 for the
apartments. The total development cost is $27.3 million, with $23.5 million funded
by federal tax credits. Other funding sources include the City of Columbia, CENTR
Bank Consortium, Truist Bank, Rand James Syndicator, and the Department of
Mental Health, which will reserve four units for their clients. The project has also
involved collaboration with the Bull Street development for infrastructure
improvements. He emphasized that the project aims to be a long-term, sustainable
development, as affordable housing developments typically follow a "build and hold"
strategy rather than being sold after construction. He highlighted the project's focus
on energy efficiency and high-quality construction, ensuring it fits well within the
community.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
4. Confirm Next Meeting Date
There was consensus of the Committee to schedule the next meeting on January
27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
2
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024
City Clerk
3
Agenda
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024
The Bull Street Commission will conduct a meeting on Monday, November 18, 2024
at 2:00 p.m. at Segra Park / MUSC Health Conference Room, Concourse Level,
1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Please contact the City Clerk at (803)545-
3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov for additional information.
The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, Chair Lyle Darnall Ashley Elsey Rebecca Haynes
Kristen Jerome Sabrina Edwards Matt Varner
CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission Meeting Minutes
PRESENTATIONS
2. Midtown at Bull Attainable Housing Project - Mr. Kevin Connelly,
President, Connelly Builders Inc.
3. Fireflies 2024 Season Recap and Event Highlights - Mr. Brad Shank,
President, Columbia Fireflies
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
4. Confirm Next Meeting Date
ADJOURNMENT
1
Packet
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024
The Bull Street Commission will conduct a meeting on Monday, November 18, 2024
at 2:00 p.m. at Segra Park / MUSC Health Conference Room, Concourse Level,
1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Please contact the City Clerk at (803)545-
3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov for additional information.
The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, Chair Lyle Darnall Ashley Elsey Rebecca Haynes
Kristen Jerome Sabrina Edwards Matt Varner
CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission Meeting Minutes
PRESENTATIONS
2. Midtown at Bull Attainable Housing Project - Mr. Kevin Connelly,
President, Connelly Builders Inc.
3. Fireflies 2024 Season Recap and Event Highlights - Mr. Brad Shank,
President, Columbia Fireflies
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
4. Confirm Next Meeting Date
ADJOURNMENT
1
1
MEETING DATE: November 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission
Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
ATTACHMENTS:
BSC_MN_09162024 (PDF)
Updated: 11/13/2024 5:10 PM Page 1
Packet Pg. 2
1.a
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Attachment: BSC_MN_09162024 (9772 : Approval of September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission Meeting Minutes)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The Columbia Bull Street Commission conducted a meeting on Monday, September
16, 2024 at Segra Park / MUSC Health Conference Room, 1640 Freed Street,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, Chair called the
meeting to order at 2:07 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Tyler D. Bailey Chair Present
Lyle Darnall Board Member Absent
Ashley Cady Elsey Board Member Present
Rebecca Haynes Board Member Present
Kristen Jerome Board Member Present
Sabrina Odom Board Member Present
Matt Varner Board Member Present
PRESENTATIONS
Councilor Bailey thanked the commissioners for serving. He committed to ensuring
that commission members become a part of the decision-making process and have
more frequent meetings with meaningful reports and action items.
1. Bull Street Development Project Update - Ms. Chandler Cox and Ms. Janie
Quinn, Hughes Development Corporation
Ms. Chandler Cox, Hughes Development Corporation explained that the last update
was given to this committee in October 2022 when Iron Hill was under construction.
She shared a photograph of the Bull Street Development project from February 2023.
Since the last meeting, the West Lawn Building is almost fully leased. Scott Motors
moved their office to the First Base Building. Iron Hill Brewery and PVOLVE have
opened. Tupelo Honey Café is under construction and is projected to open at the
beginning of 2025. Methodical Coffee will be on the ground floor of the First Base
Building. There are a lot of things going on in the district.
Page 1 of 3
Packet Pg. 3
1.a
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Attachment: BSC_MN_09162024 (9772 : Approval of September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission Meeting Minutes)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
2. Bull Street Development Housing Update - Ms. Chandler Cox and Ms. Janie
Quinn, Hughes Development Corporation
Ms. Chandler Cox, Hughes Development Corporation provided an update on the five
residential projects that are either open or underway within the Bull Street
Development. Merrill Gardens, an active senior living community was one of the first
residential projects. Phase one opened with 120 units in 2020 and they are 100%
leased. The Babcock Building has 208 units and they are 90% leased. TownPark at
BullStreet is a for sale townhome project. The sixth and final phase will start next
year. The Bennet is a mixed used project that consists of two phases. Phase one is
90% leased with 12 units remaining. The retail component will be owned and
managed by Hughes Development. Midtown at BullStreet is an attainable housing
project with 72 units and 18 townhomes.
There was discussion about the price points for Midtown; project announcements;
the desire for a grocery store and hotel; the Tech Village; having 1,200 residents;
and plans for the Williams Building and the Lawn.
3. University of South Carolina Health Sciences Campus Project Update - Ms.
Melanie Brown, Development Consultant/Restoration 52, LLC
Ms. Heather Mitchell, President of The Boudreaux Group said construction of the
University of South Carolina Health Sciences Campus will start in January 2025. She
introduced the diverse development team for this public-private project. She
explained that Hughes Development Corporation donated 16 acres of land for the
School of Medicine, which is relocating from Veterans Affairs. The campus will consist
of health sciences, commons, and medical education within 310,000 gross square
feet. This will be a three part site with a new street serving as the main entry. There
will be considerable landscaped buffering along Harden Street with right-in/right-out
access. Cooper Drive will be built out. There will be over 700 parking spaces with
Colonial Drive being the main vehicular access point. The Rising Roll Gourmet Café
will be part of the School of Medicine café and open to the public. The overall
character will blend traditional University guidelines and a forward looking, research
oriented design with the contemporary urban feel of Bull Street.
There was discussion about the University’s public safety presence at this campus.
Page 2 of 3
Packet Pg. 4
1.a
BULL STREET COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Attachment: BSC_MN_09162024 (9772 : Approval of September 16, 2024 Bull Street Commission Meeting Minutes)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Ms. Melanie Brown, Development Consultant/President and CEO for Restoration 52,
LLC presented the stakeholder engagement schedule for the University of South
Carolina Health Sciences Campus. There is a 30% MWBE subcontracting outreach
goal with four of the eight firms on the design team representing minority and woman
owned business enterprises. Restoration 52 is a minority and woman-owned business
that will ensure the project’s alignment with community needs and goals. For
information on the project visit https://www.schealthsciencescampus.com/.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
4. Areas of interest and opportunities for support from commission members -
The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey
There was discussion about the Bull Street Commission being a resource by sharing
ideas for engagement; providing feedback to Hughes Development; and sharing the
progress at Bull Street with the community. There was also discussion about
connectivity between the surrounding neighborhoods; a COMET route from
Earlewood; the need for a left turn signal at Colonial Drive; inviting commissioners
to groundbreaking ceremonies; and receiving project information in advance.
5. Future Meeting Schedule - The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey
There was consensus of the committee to meet on the third Mondays of each quarter
at 2:00 p.m. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 18, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk
Page 3 of 3
Packet Pg. 5
2
MEETING DATE: November 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Midtown at Bull Attainable Housing Project - Mr.
Kevin Connelly, President, Connelly Builders Inc.
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
Updated: 11/13/2024 5:15 PM Page 1
Packet Pg. 6
3
MEETING DATE: November 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Fireflies 2024 Season Recap and Event Highlights -
Mr. Brad Shank, President, Columbia Fireflies
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
Updated: 11/13/2024 5:17 PM Page 1
Packet Pg. 7
4
MEETING DATE: November 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Confirm Next Meeting Date
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
Updated: 11/13/2024 5:28 PM Page 1
Packet Pg. 8