Asked: What if Columbia, SC looked like this?

What if Columbia had a public transportation tram that ran under the city like the New York City subway? If you tend to play the “what if” game, you’ll like today’s newsletter because we’re “what-ifing” about Columbia.

What if... the Crystal Lagoon project (that was announced in 2022) actually came to fruition?

What if... the tops of the parking garages were event spaces with rooftop gardens?

What if... the Gervais Street Bridge was just a few feet wider or the Klondike Building was painted to look like a Klondike bar?

What if... we had small, local cafes lining the Saluda River or had a pedestrian bridge that crossed one of our rivers, similar to Falls Park in Greenville ? Can you picture it?

What if... Columbia had a large outdoor food commons downtown?

What if... there was a lazy river around Finlay Park, or the Whig reopened, or there was a way to know where to find lunch for $10 or less in Columbia? Wait . We already have that — alright, you get the idea of how to play.

We want to hear your craziest “what if...” for our city. There are no limits. Let your imagination run free and share your wildest ideas with us .