Columbia City Council approves project to transform the north end of the Lincoln Street Tunnel with murals and interactive lighting.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia City Council has approved a new project aimed at bringing color and culture to the North end of the Lincoln Street Tunnel.
The enhancement project, led by the Congaree Vista Guild and One Columbia, will feature murals painted by local artists and interactive lighting inside the tunnel.
“It creates more culture, it gives people something to look at and it also brings up happiness,” said Abby Anderson, executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild.
Anderson said the goal is to bring new life to the north side of the tunnel.
“As we were leaving the north side of the tunnel we just recognized that it’s just kind of drab and we thought that if we could add some color and some vibrance, it’ll kind of help you bring not only the lights in the tunnel but also to beautiful Finley Park,” she said.
The enhancements to the north end are expected to cost roughly $20,000 funded by a city hospitality tax grant. One Columbia, which will select the artists for the murals, says the project will both beautify the area and showcase local talent.
“The tunnel is a fantastic part of the Greenway but also it’s a great place for public art to kind of draw people in. Public art also does other things like improve the safety of the area and improve connectivity,” said Pamela Zeljko with One Columbia.
City leaders hope the project will turn the tunnel into a destination that connects the Vista and Finley Park, offering both locals and visitors a more vibrant public space.
The Lincoln Street Tunnel mural project is expected to be completed by April 2026.