152 replies to this topic

[Topher1]

socaguy, on Jun 12 2006, 05:51 PM, said:

Is the Walmart in North Augusta not a supercenter?  I always thought it was but I may be wrong.

It is, as is the one in Aiken.

He's talking about the Walmart Neighborhood Market concept, which is just a grocery store.  Thusfar there are none of these in the area...

[socaguy]

OK, I see now.  
Wow Aiken county seems to be sprawling as fast as Columbia County lately.

[Topher1]

Here's some shots from around Aiken Co. from this weekend...

Some good infill going on in Aiken...
These are some newly completed townhouses in DT Aiken, on the site of a former gas station.  Unfortunately this massive structure is only 3 huge units, but its still an improvement to the corner.


Some progress on the mixed-use project on the site of the former dt cinema.


This one is one that I hadn't heard of.  A suburban style townhouse project is going up on Morgan St, next to a new 5-story apartment building.  This is significant because Morgan St, as of about 2 years ago consisted of nothing but rotten shotgun houses and trash (no people whatsoever)...  Aiken's neighborhood improvement project has swept in and built a lot of cute starter homes in this neighborhood (Toole Hill) as well as others on the northside, and its awesome to see some new spinoff development occurring because of the city's investment!  The plans are for the city to build more than 300 new homes on the northside at no profit, so I can't wait to see how much more they can transform the neighborhood...

This development is suburban in nature, but it looks like it will be decently dense when developed.  There's a lot more UC to the left of the photo, but I wanted to get the sign in the shot (200K+ in a recently ravaged neighborhood is pretty impressive to me)...

[Topher1]

And a series from Hammond's Ferry in North Augusta.  The project is finally underway, and the first phase is the Crystal Lake Road area.  THis portion is further into the project and predominately single-family, but it looks like a good mix of densities is even going into this area.

First up, the river...  A wide swath of public space fronting the river?  I love this project already!


This is the Crystal Lake entrance.  I imagine it will not look as suburban when fully developed...  The bridge over the entrance is North Augusta's Greeneway biking/walking trail system... (The Greeneway integration is my 2nd favorite part of the project)


The homes are tall and thin with minimal side-yards.  The vinyl siding does kind of trouble me however...


But fortunately, the completed, fully-painted homes look quite nice.


Lastly, a novelty in the area... Multifamily and single family uses on the same block!?  The long yellow home looks a bit strange not, but there's lots in front of it that will block out the length of the home when developed.

[DaGABoyStinger]

WOW, I'm so glad to see them raise the greenway and make a bridge for it @ Crystal Lake.  Bike riding just got easier. I remember this site was so dense populated w/ trees and bushes, much less the way it looks now.

I love the design of this bridge too, it really shows what kind of design thought went into this project.

Wonderful pictures, I really have to drive down there next time I'm in the area.  And in Aiken also.

[Topher1]

This aerial shows the site of Hammond's Ferry on the lower-left side of the river.  The portion currently under development is in the grassy area, beneath the small lake shown in the aerial.  The town center will be in the wooded area near the bridge.  Also of note, this aerial shows some of the construction of the Landing at River Club condos directly across the bridge, as well as the hideous mcmansions that are hogging the rest of the N. Augusta waterfront...

[PJA]

There is some backlash about the new Sams Club coming to Aiken.  Here's the story.

[PJA]

Food Lion will be coming to one of the vacant Winn Dixie spaces in North Augusta.  It is taking the place of the vacant Winn Dixie on Edgefield Rd. near I-20.  This will be the 10th Food Lion in the area.

Edited by PJA, 22 July 2006 - 01:17 PM.

[PJA]

Despite Graniteville's huge loss, they are getting a few major developments in the near future.  Aiken County has been named the hottest real estate market in South Carolina and that is helping Graniteville out.  Here's the article.

[Pillsbury]

That's good news for that part of Aiken County.

[socaguy]

Thats alot of homes.  Are these new developments inside the city limits of Graniteville?  If each home has 3 residents, that will add about 15,000 people to the town by 2011.  Thats some tremendous growth!!

[Topher1]

I'm pretty sure that nearly all of these homes ARE in the city limits.  These 1500 homes are just phase I of plans to build 5000 homes.  This particular subdivision is in the Sage Valley area, near the I-20 interchange with Bettis Academy Rd (exit 11).  

The remaining 3000+ homes proposed by these developers will be in a sprawling 1800 acre community straddling Aiken, Vaucluse, and Graniteville off of Aiken's bypass called Trolley Run Station.

I'm really surprised that they plan to have 1500 homes completed by the end of the year.  I didn't see too much progress when I was home in July.

Here's the link to the developers.  Check out the plans for Trolley Run... Its MASSIVE!  (but hideously sprawly)...
www.finedeering.com

Edited by Topher1, 26 July 2006 - 05:32 AM.

[Pillsbury]

^   I should have known it would be over there near Sage Valley.  Not many people are aware that it is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the South......

Edited by Pillsbury, 26 July 2006 - 06:53 AM.

[PJA]

A second Avondale Mills plant in Graniteville is expected to be sold by next Friday, saving 100 more jobs.  As mentioned about a month ago, one of the plants was already sold which saved 250 jobs.  The other plants in Graniteville are still being marketed to potential buyers.

[PJA]

Here's an article about a North Augusta group who is trying to get the word out about commerce in their city.

the article

[PJA]

The Aiken County town of New Ellenton has expressed interest of having a Sam's built there if they are unable to have it built in Aiken.  Here are the details.

[socaguy]

Does anyone know what they have cleared the land for right as you are coming into N. Augusta from DT Augusta.  I think that is called Georgia avenue?  The project is on the left at an intersection and there is a sign with a rendering of what looks like townhomes but not sure.  Will there be any retail in this?

[Pillsbury]

^ I've seen that.  Is it called jackson square or something?  Maybe they're trying to tie it in with hammonds ferry???

[PJA]

Here's the details on a new store coming to North Augusta.

[PJA]

The Palmetto Parkway project has been scaled back a little.  Work is set to begin in the spring with a completion date of 2010.

Details