Sale of the South Carolina State Hospital Property on Bull Street in Columbia, SC has been completed by a 4-2 vote by Columbia City Council on July 8, 2013. 

On December 20, 1821, the South Carolina State Legislature appropriated $30,000 for the creation of  the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, the second publicly funded hospital for the treatment of the mentally ill in The United States.

 

The South Carolina State Hospital, as the facility was later named, served thousands of people suffering from mental illness for over 175 years.

 

the 1980's The South Carolina Department of Mental Health, under the leadership of Dr. Joseph J. Bevilacqua, hosted a national conference entitled "The Role of the Public Mental Hospital in a Community- Based System of Care" The outcome of the conference was the creation of the Transitional Leadership Council and a movement to transition the South Carolina mental health delivery system "Towards Local Care." 

 

In 2010, The State Department of Mental Health sold the property to Hughes Development Corporation based in Greenville, SC.

 

On Monday, July 8, 2013, the City of Columbia entered into an agreement with Hughes Development Corporation to begin the development of the 165 acres of property. 

 

Plans for the former South Carolina State Hospital property include both residential and non-residential development with over 1,3000 dwelling units, including a 70- room hotel, 500,000 square feet of commercial/office apace and use of many of the historic structures on the property. The plan includes churches locations, recreational spaces, and community facilities. 

 

 

According to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the development of 180 acres of property will generate more than $714 million of direct economic activity. the indirect and induced impacts of the project would add another $495.00 million in economic activity- for a total impact of $1.2 billion per year.

 

As a result of this transaction, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health will begin to receive the proceeds from the sale from the Hughes Corporation. In accordance with a ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court, the funds for the sale of the property has been entrusted to the South Carolina State Department of Mental Health to continue to serve those suffering from mental illness in South Carolina.

 

If is the goal of Mental Health America of South Carolina and other mental health advocates to ensure that the funds from the sale of the South Carolina State Hospital property be used for services such as housing  for the mentally ill.