Local student, small business advocate and community organizer Tripp Roche has officially unveiled the Columbia City Lights Initiative: a public-private partnership designed to transform Columbia’s skyline into a vibrant symbol of civic pride, celebration, and momentum.\n\nThe Columbia City Lights Initiative envisions key buildings across Columbia’s downtown skyline lit with color-changing, architectural LED lighting — creating a dynamic, unified visual identity for the city.\n\nPalmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union will be the first organization to implement the Columbia City Lights vision at their brand-new headquarters on Sumter Street, scheduled to open in 2026, Roche said in a press release.\n\n\"I was born and raised in Columbia and I’m currently studying entrepreneurship at Midlands Technical College,\" said Roche. \"I also run a table tennis club called Carolina Pong. But more than anything, I care deeply about this city — Columbia is home.\"\n\nHis family has owned and operated Villa Tronco, the oldest restaurant in South Carolina, for over 85 years on Blanding Street.\n\n\"Just like my great-grandmother built something meaningful for Columbia during the Great Depression, I want to leave my own mark — one that lights the way forward. This project honors our past while investing in the city’s future,\" he said. \"The idea is simple but powerful,\" Roche explains. \"We want Columbia to glow — not just for the aesthetic, but as a symbol of energy, unity, and pride.\"\n\nLighting will reflect major community moments, including garnet for USC games, red, white and blue for Independence Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so on.\n\n\"The possibilities are endless,\" Roche added. \"A lit skyline becomes part of how we celebrate — together.\"\n\nBuilt on a public-private partnership, the initiative is designed to be cost-effective and scalable:\n\n• Building owners voluntarily install uplighting.\n\n• Major tenants help fund the lighting in exchange for brand-color visibility during off-peak periods.\n\n• Corporate sponsors get a new way to contribute to the community while gaining exposure.\n\n\"It’s a win-win,\" said Roche. \"Businesses stand out, and the city shines brighter.\"\n\nRoche is actively pursuing support from organizations such as Dominion Energy and the Boyd Foundation, along with city and state grants to help match investments and reduce financial barriers for participants.\n\nAnother major early step in the Columbia City Lights Initiative is already underway: the City of Columbia’s building at 1401 Main Street is currently installing an illuminated pyramid feature atop the high-rise. Set to be completed by the end of this year, the glowing pyramid will serve as a symbolic kickoff to the broader skyline lighting movement.\n\n\"This is the perfect way to set the tone,\" said Roche. \"The City is not just supporting the vision — it’s leading by example. Their investment shows that this isn’t just a dream. It’s already happening.\"\n\nThe Main Street District (MSD) will manage centralized scheduling so buildings across the city can light up in sync for holidays, USC events, and community causes. Roche credits Matt Kennell (MSD) and Jonathan Harvey (Colliers) for their early support in shaping the vision.\n\nRoche is also working with the University of South Carolina to light key landmarks on campus and is in discussions with the South Carolina State House to convert existing lighting into programmable systems.\n\n\"Once a few buildings light up, it’ll catch on. It becomes contagious. And with a building boom on the horizon, now is the perfect time to integrate lighting into the design from the ground up,\" he said.\n\nRoche is consulting with two upcoming high-rise residential projects on Main Street to incorporate uplighting into their architecture.\n\nWhile full transformation is targeted by 2030, the first phases of implementation are expected to begin in early 2026, as property managers begin adding lighting to next year’s capital budgets.\n\n\"This only works if we all work together. If you own or manage a downtown building, are a business tenant, sponsor, or foundation looking to make an impact — reach out. Let’s make Columbia shine together,\" said Roche.\n\n\"I want Columbia to glow with pride,\" he continued. \"When someone drives in on I-26 or walks down Gervais or Assembly at night, I want them to look up and feel something — to feel that Columbia is alive, ambitious, and lit with possibility. This project can change how we see — and celebrate — our city forever.\"

“Illuminate Columbia”: local student/entrepreneur launches project to brighten future

Local entrepreneur Tripp Roche has launched the Columbia City Lights Initiative, a public-private partnership aiming to transform Columbia's skyline with color-changing LED lighting. The project, supported by the City of Columbia and businesses, seeks to create a dynamic visual identity for the city through synchronized lighting for events and community milestones, with implementation beginning in 2026.