The corner of Harden and Gervais streets in Columbia’s busy Five Points neighborhood could be getting even more housing – with the possible revival of a historic property that filled a need in Columbia’s African American community during the Jim Crow era.
Developers hope to restore a 111-year-old property at 2101 Gervais St. closer to its original appearance and convert the building into housing. An application to the city’s Design/Development Review Commission also notes possible future plans to build 1-2 duplexes in a lot behind the existing building.
Physician and Waverly neighborhood native W.D. Chappelle Jr. opened the infirmary in 1914, at a time when healthcare was segregated and African American residents had limited access to doctors, especially Black doctors, according to information included in the developer’s application the the city…