Locals React to Palmetto Compress Development

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — City leaders and developers are moving forward with plans to transform the Palmetto Compress Warehouse. For members of the ward one community, the Palmetto Compress Warehouse is a place of memories. “We would walk through here, run up over there and peak through the mill and see people working,” said Carolyn Worthy. “Everything was centered around this area; work, baseball, and we didn’t have to go far. Everybody was always together,” said Raymond Richardson. Now they will preserve those memories as developers give new life to an iconic piece of Columbia history. “The people of the first ward, just like the people of the Mill Village, deserve this piece of history in their lives,” said Developer Ron Caplan. The Palmetto Compress Warehouse is being transformed into hundreds of apartments and several retailers. “Today, you aren’t just preserving history, you’re making it and we’re so proud to be standing here together,” said Mayor Steve Benjamin. Built in the early 1900’s, the undeveloped building from the cotton industry says was almost torn down. However, after the community rallied to keep it standing, today, they have reason to celebrate. “Words can not express this journey,” said Mattie Anderson-Robinson. “It has been so overwhelming.” “It gives us as a community and as a member of the ward one community, reason to be proud,” said Richard Caughman. “To be proud that someone took the time out to show that African Americans lived in this community, this is our community.” With signs of construction on site, comes joy and future memories for the ward one community and the city of Columbia.