Columbia, SC – During the Urban Land Institute’s Reality Check Midlands 2013, more than 300 participants decided they want to live in a region that promotes infill development and protects open space for recreation and permanent preservation, supporting healthy and vibrant neighborhoods.

The third Reality Check Symposium, focusing on the health and economic benefits of compact mixed-use and infill development, walkability and adaptive reuse, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20 at Riverbanks Zoo’s Botanical Gardens Conference Center. Registration is $35 for ULI members and $50 for non members. For more information or to register.

Columbia developer Don Tomlin, chairman of Tomlin Interests, will keynote the symposium. Among his many projects, Tomlin has created award winning, city-sized communities such as Lake Carolina in Columbia and Park West in Mount Pleasant, as well as developed more than 450 affordable multifamily homes in infill areas of Columbia, including the Townhomes at Arsenal Hill, one block from the S.C. Governor’s Mansion. Tomlin’s latest venture might be termed the ultimate infill project: an air-rights agreement with the City of Columbia to build apartments atop as many as six city-owned parking garages in downtown Columbia.

Other speakers will include Beth Poovey from LandDesign in Charlotte who will share how Little Sugar Creek, the stream restoration project and linear park that connects Uptown Charlotte to the South Carolina state line, has created value in some of Charlotte’s oldest neighborhoods. Mayor Tony Scully of Camden will share how Camden is adopting principles of the “Eat Less Move More” movement into its comprehensive plan’s effort to create healthier and more physically active neighborhoods. Richland County Councilman Jim Manning will share how the county adapted a commercial property in an existing strip mall for new county offices and a magistrate’s court. Mike Dawson, CEO of The River Alliance, will share steps taken to create the Three Rivers Greenway.

Attendees also will be asked to consider existing land use patterns and formulate recommendations to identify health promoting opportunities in the Midlands.

Adaptive reuse and infill development breathe new life into existing activity hubs. They are the cornerstone of mixed-use development that integrates residential, commercial, retail, civic and high quality public space into areas that are already developed. These communities are associated with a higher level of physical activity, help to control sprawl and reduce the need for expanded infrastructure.

Studies have linked access to nature to positive health outcomes. The preservation and restoration of green space within developed communities provides high quality spaces for play and recreation. Attendees will be asked to consider existing land use patterns and formulate recommendations to identify health promoting opportunities in the Midlands.

Symposium sponsors include Mashburn Construction, Carolina Ceramics and Thompson and Company.

The Efficient Development & Green Space Symposium is the last of three symposiums to focus on Reality Check’s guiding principles:

• Infrastructure & Transportation: Encourage development where infrastructure is available, planned or can be provided cost effectively
• Efficient Development & Green Space: Promote the use of vacant lots and support healthy, vibrant neighborhoods while protecting open space
• Economic Drivers: Protect and enhance the region’s primary economic drivers

Reality Check included all or portions of eight counties: Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield, Saluda, Sumter, Calhoun and Kershaw.