Title of historic Babcock building transferred to developer

Work will begin on the $40 million renovation of the Babcock building, former site of the S.C. Lunatic Asylum, into luxury apartments once developer Clachan Properties secures a loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ground broken on hotel near Lexington Medical Center

The $14 million TownePlace Suites by Marriott, which will have 111 studio and one-bedroom suites, is being built next to the existing Residence Inn by Marriott, previously developed by Solara Hospitality.

Florence tax preparer sentenced on fraud charges

Donna Faye Shird, 41, who operated Donna’s Income Tax Service in Florence, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. Shird pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid in the preparation and filing of false federal income tax returns.

Submit Columbia Under Construction items

The Feb. 3 print CRBR issue will include the next edition of Columbia Under Construction, a feature section on architecture, engineering and construction in the Midlands. Submit items by clicking on the above headline by Wednesday.