News Summary
O. Stanley ‘Chip’ Smith, former owner of Constan Car Wash, is suing the city of Columbia for over $4 million. He claims the removal of a retaining wall led to severe flooding and the eventual closure of his family business, a community staple for 75 years. The legal battle centers on whether the city’s actions were unlawful, with implications for future flood control initiatives in the area.
Columbia, SC — O. Stanley “Chip” Smith, the former owner of the now-demolished Constan Car Wash, is pursuing over $4 million in damages from the city of Columbia. Smith alleges that the city’s actions forced the closure of his family business after it removed a retaining wall in 2021, a move he claims led to significant flooding and ultimately to the car wash’s closure.
Constan Car Wash had been a staple in the community for nearly 75 years before shutting its doors in 2022 and being demolished in late 2023. The ongoing lawsuit, which has been in the legal system for several years, will be evaluated by a judge who will assess the merits of Smith’s claims against the city.
According to the lawsuit, the city lacked the legal authority to demolish the retaining wall which Smith had constructed in 2018 to mitigate recurring flooding issues. The wall was built at a cost of $40,000 and was approved through a city permit. During its existence, the wall effectively prevented flood damage. Following its removal, however, the car wash experienced severe flooding, contributing to its eventual closure.
Smith attributes $4.27 million in damages to the city’s actions, claiming the city failed to address longstanding flooding issues in the area both prior to and following the wall’s removal. Additionally, Smith is seeking reimbursement for attorney fees as part of his legal action.
Smith’s attorney underscored that the case centers on the destruction of a thriving business made possible by over seven decades of successful operation, now impacted by the city’s purported illegal actions. The city has not commented on the pending litigation directly, but court documents submitted by representatives state that the city did not unlawfully remove the retaining wall.
The trial, presided over by Judge Daniel Coble, is estimated to last approximately three days. In the context of this lawsuit, the estimated value of the former car wash site at 1950 Gervais St. was over $370,000, according to county tax assessments. The property is now cleared, leaving questions about its future.
Historically, Constan Car Wash was significant not only for its services but because its founders contributed to the creation of the Riverbanks Zoo. The site is also noted for having housed a tiger named Happy from 1964 to 1974, marking a unique chapter in local history.
Additionally, the city expressed an interest in acquiring the former car wash site for flood control initiatives. There are discussions about potentially converting the area into a detention pond designed to help alleviate flooding issues in the nearby Five Points neighborhood. The city argues that the retaining wall was located on city property, contending that it bears no responsibility for the flooding of private businesses.
As the city continues to focus on other flood mitigation efforts in surrounding areas, decisions regarding the future of the Constan Car Wash site remain unresolved. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications not only for Smith but also for the city’s approach to managing flood-related issues moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Lawsuit Against Columbia
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Post and Courier: Columbia’s Flood Plan
- Google Search: Columbia SC flooding
- WLTX: Columbia Car Wash Demolition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- Fitsnews: South Carolina Government Overreach
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
