Daniel Prince
Report ranges from Advanced Technology Center to USC Union's request for deed to City Park
Union County Supervisor Frank Hart gave highlights from his supervisor’s report to council at last week’s meeting, and he provided the full report to WBCU News.
The latest update concerning the Advanced Technology Center shows that he plans to meet with Dr. Michael Mikota, president of Spartanburg Community College, and the Union County School District in the next two weeks, and he plans to bring a proposal to council next month.
With the housing project, he said the county is working with the developer, and they anticipate groundbreaking on the site development this spring, with homes available sometime next year.
The Jonesville sewer project’s status is unchanged. The county is waiting on a commitment from the SC Power Team of up to $1 million before proceeding with the main $9.7 million grant application. The Power Team should decide later this month or sometime in April.
As far as broadband goes, they continue to work on a test case for the Town of Carlisle. The vendor involved is still doing assessments.
Hart said he has asked the Union County Recreation Department to put together a plan to provide weekly activities for youth at the stadium and/or fairgrounds during the summer months. More information on that will be given at next month’s County Council meeting.
The Sims redevelopment project is undergoing its Phase I study. The results on that are pending. He says they expect to execute the option with the school district on the property, provided the district approves the proposed $250,000 sale price to the developer. The property would be redeveloped for market-value multifamily housing while preserving the auditorium for community use.
The county is working with a developer on the Buffalo Mill redevelopment project. The developer specializes in redeveloping abandoned textile mills. The concept involves constructing market-value homes in and around the mill village. The county is working with the Catawba Regional Council of Governments to apply for a grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission to dredge the mill pond, upgrade the pedestrian bridge, and relocate and resurface the walking trail, as well as adding swings and tables to the area.
Finally, Hart said USC Union has requested that the county either deed or long-term lease City Ballpark to them. He said the county is looking into this and will bring a recommendation to council at next month’s meeting.