763 replies to this topic

[vicupstate]

http://www2.scnow.co...nd_hist/108453/

Museum design is starting. ocmpletion expected in 2013.

[vicupstate]

Florence County has agreed to purchase 5 properties across from the City-County Complex to consolidate the solictitor offices.  Perhaps this property will be used for the Judicial Center.  The county has wanted the property for many years, but only now has an agreement been reached.  The price is $1.4 mm.  If that is for the buildings only, that seems high to me.  If it includes the old "sears" property which is fairly large, then it isn't so bad.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  I fear the old buildings on the site will be demo'ed.

Florence County to buy properties

[vicupstate]

This building turned out great.  I saw it on my last trip home. Kudos to all involved.  A 1970's addition which did not really match the original architecture was demolished and replaced with an appropriate addition.  It looks seemless and very appropriate now.  

Two big thumbs up!!

Former County Library reborn as Turner Padget Law Offices

Edited by vicupstate, 07 June 2011 - 02:57 PM.

[vicupstate]

Boutique Hotel proposed for Downtown Florence

This is a very bold project.  The area around this location is quite distressed.  The principals (some of whom were involved with the old library project discussed above) deserve the tax break they are requesting.  What has the city got to lose?  That building can't be paying much taxes now.  

Has anyone been to Victor's restaurant, whihc would relocate with this project?

[vicupstate]

While visiting family and reviewing some old copies of the Morning News, I came across an article that discussed 'Project Rosebud'.  Florence County Council was approving FILOT status for it.  That has to do with reducing the Property taxes on it.

It is projected to have 360 jobs paying $25 per hour.  Both figures were considered 'conservative'. Assuming it comes through, it would be pretty substantial for that area.

In other news, a new Downtown Manager has been hired to oversee Florence's plans.  He holds that same position in Sumter currently.  Supposedly he has been pretty successful there.

[vicupstate]

Roche plant staying put - for now

Good news , but it will be up in the air again in a few years.  Also, sad to hear that the 80 or so research jobs are leaving. It seems SC is only good at recruiting manufacturing and warehouse jobs these days.  Sad to say.

[krazeeboi]

vicupstate, on 07 July 2011 - 06:07 AM, said:

Roche plant staying put - for now

Good news , but it will be up in the air again in a few years.  Also, sad to hear that the 80 or so research jobs are leaving. It seems SC is only good at recruiting manufacturing and warehouse jobs these days.  Sad to say.

I'm not really surprised at the research jobs leaving since Florence doesn't have a research university. I think those jobs would have been retained if the plant were in Charleston, Columbia, or the Upstate.

But otherwise, yes, SC isn't doing a good job at attracting knowledge-based, high wage jobs unfortunately.

[vicupstate]

Well, Florence didn't have a research university in 1994 either, yet they came.

Otis Elevator is Project Rosebud

Great name to get.  I wonder if this is manufacturing or white-collar. Fingers crossed that this come through as planned.

[krazeeboi]

vicupstate, on 08 July 2011 - 05:38 AM, said:

Well, Florence didn't have a research university in 1994 either, yet they came.

Probably due to a boatload of incentives and local political influence (e.g., Hugh Leatherman). When the incentives dry up, these companies start looking elsewhere, especially if there's not a local skilled workforce in place that might help them to stay in place after the temporary benefits are exhausted.

[vicupstate]

krazeeboi, on 08 July 2011 - 12:19 PM, said:

Probably due to a boatload of incentives and local political influence (e.g., Hugh Leatherman). When the incentives dry up, these companies start looking elsewhere, especially if there's not a local skilled workforce in place that might help them to stay in place after the temporary benefits are exhausted.

Then Governor Carroll Campbell negotiated that deal, and Leatherman had MUCH less seniority/power back then.

When they first opened they had no problems getting their high paying employees to transfer to Florence because of the low cost of living, weather, etc. as compared to New Jersy (I think that was where they came from). Maybe that changed over the years.

Getting Roche was a really big deal at the time, (because of the high-tech, research nature of it), so it is a real step back to lose their research element now.

[flotownscot]

A few Florence updates:

The performing arts center downtown is opening September 9th:

http://www.fmupac.org/

Otis Elevator is opening a manufacturing facility in Florence:

http://www2.scnow.co...nce-ar-2293575/

Local retailers in Florence County can open before 1:30 on Sunday since hotel tax revenue surpassed $900,000.00 in 2011:

http://www2.scnow.co...-bl-ar-2271259/

[vicupstate]

http://www2.scnow.co...ace-ar-2772535/

http://www2.scnow.co...facade/gallery/

Things are proceeding with DT Florence.   The Performing Arts Center is now open. The Hotel/restaurant project is on track, and the new museum is proceeding as well. [I am still amazed that they have financing on that deal.  That project is very 'pioneer' in my opinion.]

The link shows the potential of fascade renovations, which are sorely needed.  The 100 block of West Evans really needs this work.  They also need to repave that block like YESTERDAY.  It is in terrible shape, and that would not be that expensive to do.

I drove through the area last weekend, and there are two new restaurants in the 100 South Dargan block.

Edited by vicupstate, 30 November 2011 - 08:09 AM.

[Firefox]

The expansion of McLeod Regional Medical Center of two new parking decks, new emergancy room and a new 7 story ICU tower.

[vicupstate]

Thanks for posting.  I which the parking garages could have been built at teh rear of the campus.  They hid the attractive primary buildings.  The one on the corner of Church and Cheves isn't as bad, but the one between the Tower and the Pavilion will nearly completely block the new building.  Plus it creates a wall of parking for nearly the entire Cheves Street frontage.

If the Greenland Park building  had been built elsewhere in the '80's, they probably could have put the garages in back.

[vicupstate]

This is a little off topic, but relevant to Florence.  Interesting comparison on tax rates.  Florence's are mega-low.  The city does need to spruce up and invest in itself some.  I dont know that now is the right time, given the economy, though.

They should pursue annexation very aggressively however, the tiny amount of taxes would likely be completely offset with lower water/sewer rates and fire insurance.  Not to mention the added services.

To it's credit, the city limits have expanded very significantly in the last decade or so, relatively speaking, but given these numbers, there should be a stampede to expand the limits, IMO.

http://www2.scnow.co...ate-ar-2854572/

[vicupstate]

http://testdomain.sc...-florence-sold/

Hopefully a decent number of jobs will result from this sale.  Other than the RR, the DuPont plant is about the first true 'industry' built in Florence, back in 1961.

[vicupstate]

http://www2.scnow.co...ses-ar-2861782/


Florence County is moving forward with land acquition for a future Judicial Center across from the City-County Complex.  No word on when design and other construction work will begin.  I hope they spend enough to get a decent-looking building.  If the private sector is going to invest in something 'nicer than it has to be', then the public sector has to set an example too.

[spartanburgh]

What is the hugh tower crane in Downtown Florence for? We came by today and were surprised to see such a tall crane there!!

[vicupstate]

Unless it is for McLeod  Hospital, I can't think of anything going up that would require a crane.

[flotownscot]

The crane is for the 2 new towers being built on the McLeod campus.