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County Council approves adaptive reuse of Columbia Place Sears building for Emergency Operations Center
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Summary
Council approved staff's recommendation to adaptively reuse the former Sears building at Columbia Place Mall as the county's Emergency Operations Center; funding was previously approved and staff may proceed with site replacement of the current basement facility.
Richland County Council voted on April 14 to approve staff's recommendation to adaptively reuse the existing Sears building at Columbia Place Mall as the county's Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
County Administrator Brown told the council the funding for the EOC had already been approved and that the question before the council was the site choice; Brown said using the Sears building would "help support county operational needs, enhance efficiency, strengthen interagency coordination, and ensure continuity of operation during current and future disasters." The council moved and approved the recommendation by roll call.
The proposal would relocate the EOC from its current basement location to the mall building and consolidate several government agencies in the prioritized corridor area referenced in the comprehensive plan materials. Administrator Brown and staff said the funds are in place to proceed; the council's approval authorizes staff to move forward with site preparations and next steps.
Next steps described by staff include final design, vendor procurement and scheduling of any necessary construction or build-out; staff will return updates to the council as implementation proceeds.
