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Our Association (GCWA), Columbia Green, and the City of Columbia are proud to announce the formation of the Neighborhood Stormwater Greenspace Collaborative (NSGC). This partnership aims to revitalize vacant, flood-prone city lots into vibrant neighborhood greenspaces designed to absorb stormwater runoff, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and model a sustainable approach to urban land management. The collaborative formed in January 2026 after GCWA and Columbia Green realized both organizations were independently planning nearly identical projects aimed at rehabilitating vacant lots owned by the City of Columbia. By uniting their resources, diverse perspectives, and community connections, the partners established the NSGC to achieve a greater impact together. |
| Why This Matters The lots designated for restoration stem from the catastrophic 1,000-year flood of 2015, which devastated communities across the Midlands. Using FEMA disaster relief funding, the City of Columbia purchased 22 severely impacted properties, enabling residents to relocate to safer ground while committing the City to perpetual care of the uninhabitable land. Today, these properties offer a unique opportunity to weave a tapestry of functional greenspaces throughout neighborhoods in the Gills Creek Watershed. Completed Work Restoration efforts are kicking off at three adjacent lots located at the corner of West Buchanan Drive and Belmont Drive. Community work began in June 2026, when GCWA and Columbia Green hosted a volunteer workday to remove invasive, non-native plants and clear illegally dumped trash. In October 2026, the City of Columbia began site preparation using heavy machinery to prepare the soil for re-establishing native, floodplain-appropriate vegetation.
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