Sen. Harpootlian, others lead effort to restore Five Points area

On Monday, leaders met to discuss a new initiative that revitalizes Five Points, and makes it safer for both students and residents.

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — On Monday, leaders met to discuss a new initiative that revitalizes Five Points, and makes it safer for both students and residents.

This movement is led by Democratic Sen. Dick Harpootlian of Richland County, who says ‘enough is enough.’ At a press conference, he was joined by neighborhood leaders to talk about what changes will be coming to the area in an effort to create a new culture.

“What I’m proud of, since taking office, is that we made an impact on the quality and quantity of life down here. This is not a playground for juveniles anymore,” said Harpootlian.

Five Points is a known area for college students to enjoy, with many underage drinkers.

“We’ve seen students having sex on your car, urinating on your car, banging on your door, and they’re so drunk they don’t know where they are. They climb over fences, they climb over walls–they’re in danger,” said April Lucas, a resident of Five Points and a member of the Coalition of Five Points Neighborhoods.

“There’s a legitimate business model. It’s not pouring liquor down the throats of 18-year-olds at 2 o’clock in the morning,” said Harpootlian.

Harpootlian, with the Coalition and the Five Points Association, wants to make the area safer for residents and students.

“I can tell you that two of my darkest days in the presidency were the nights that Martha Childres got shot, and Samantha Josephson got abducted. This cannot happen again,” said University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides. He added that the University fully supports this initiative, as student safety is a top concern.

The area is also dangerous for pedestrians, as shown through a recent study by the Department of Transportation.

“The DOT officials told us this was the most deadliest stretch of road in all of South Carolina,” said Democratic Rep. Seth Rose of Richland County.

Plans for the movement include more parking, attracting more restaurants and stores, enforcing liquor laws and making Harden Street safer and more pedestrian-friendly.

“I mean why didn’t they do it last year or the year before? But Seth Rose and I and the neighborhoods and President Pastides, we’ve dug our heels in. Enough is enough. And there’s an effort here, more importantly, to make sure that legitimate businesses come here,” said Harpootlian.

This shift in a cultural change at Five Points is already underway, with several bars either closing or operating under tighter standards.