Industry was never meant to be pretty. Back in the early days of the industrial revolution residential and industrial land lived side by side and neighborhoods were built for the tens of thousands of workers in the factories. In the late 1800s the idea of smog free neighborhoods with grass and trees while still being urban came to fruition. This was the earliest version of the suburbs. At this point only the very wealthy could afford these new homes. After World War II the housing pressures caused suburbia to become more affordable. The Suburbs had the presence of mind to locate industry away from residential neighborhoods because this contributed to the downfall of the American city.Columbia is no different, its industrial land is located away from neighborhoods. It's located in the far eastern edges of town due to the land being flatter than that of West Columbia. When Columbia held its grand opening in June of 1967 Rouse presented thousands of observers and potential residents pieces of the city. A Village Center, a Neighborhood Center, some Model Home Parks of varying housing types, a Downtown Office Building, Hobbit's Glen Golf Course, and finally industry.
The "pieces" of industry Rouse decided to showcase were in Oakland Ridge (Red Branch Road) and Seiling (Gerwig Lane). Since this was the 1960s windowless, contemporary, gray, manufactured off the assembly line buildings were used. According to today's architectural standards the buildings are hideous. However some buildings have had face lifts and new buildings are being thrown into the mix.
Today some industrial buildings are coming down and being redeveloped in favor of retail and office uses. At Snowden River Parkway and McGaw Road there is a proposal to tear down a vacant industrial building and Wegman's Supermarket.
On Snowden between Broken Land and Minstrel Way 2 industrial buildings are being torn down for 2 restaurants and 2 hotels.
As for existing industrial buildings there have been some improvements particularly on Route 108 across from Glenmont.
Dobbin and Snowden have the worst buildings and redevelopment is the only solution for these eye sores. The out sourcing of these types of jobs and the dependence on machines will make industrial jobs obsolete and the buildings will continue to vacate themselves and redevelopment will take place. I don't agree with job outsourcing I'm just stating it as a fact.
Industry was never meant to be pretty. Back in the early days of the industrial revolution residential and industrial land lived side by side and neighborhoods were built for the tens of thousands of workers in the factories. In the late 1800s the idea of smog free neighborhoods with grass and trees while still being urban came to fruition. This was the earliest version of the suburbs. At this point only the very wealthy could afford these new homes. After World War II the housing pressures caused suburbia to become more affordable. The Suburbs had the presence of mind to locate industry away from residential neighborhoods because this contributed to the downfall of the American city.Columbia is no different, its industrial land is located away from neighborhoods. It's located in the far eastern edges of town due to the land being flatter than that of West Columbia. When Columbia held its grand opening in June of 1967 Rouse presented thousands of observers and potential residents pieces of the city. A Village Center, a Neighborhood Center, some Model Home Parks of varying housing types, a Downtown Office Building, Hobbit's Glen Golf Course, and finally industry.
The "pieces" of industry Rouse decided to showcase were in Oakland Ridge (Red Branch Road) and Seiling (Gerwig Lane). Since this was the 1960s windowless, contemporary, gray, manufactured off the assembly line buildings were used. According to today's architectural standards the buildings are hideous. However some buildings have had face lifts and new buildings are being thrown into the mix.
Today some industrial buildings are coming down and being redeveloped in favor of retail and office uses. At Snowden River Parkway and McGaw Road there is a proposal to tear down a vacant industrial building and Wegman's Supermarket.
On Snowden between Broken Land and Minstrel Way 2 industrial buildings are being torn down for 2 restaurants and 2 hotels.
As for existing industrial buildings there have been some improvements particularly on Route 108 across from Glenmont. 
Dobbin and Snowden have the worst buildings and redevelopment is the only solution for these eye sores. The out sourcing of these types of jobs and the dependence on machines will make industrial jobs obsolete and the buildings will continue to vacate themselves and redevelopment will take place. I don't agree with job outsourcing I'm just stating it as a fact.
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