Oconee County Developments & Updates

[GSP Tiger]

Oconee County is South Carolina's westernmost county. Surrounded by the Seneca, Chattooga, and Savannah Rivers, Oconee County is indeed a beautiful place to be.

Wahalla/West Union, Westminister, and Seneca will continue to grow because of the great parks and recreational activities within the Sumter National Forest and Clemson University continuing to bring more people in.

Is anything going up in the Oconee County area?

[krazeeboi]

Is Oconee County in Greenville's MSA?

And how do you pronounce the name? I've never known how.

[GSP Tiger]

Is Oconee County in Greenville's MSA?

And how do you pronounce the name? I've never known how.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oconee County is not a part of the Greenville metro area yet, but it is considered part of the upstate and the Interstate 85 corridor.

Oconee (O-cone-nee) is one of the many names/words in the area left by the Cherokee Indians. Others include Chattooga, Seneca, Wahalla, Tamasee, Keowee, and Jocasee.

[Spartan]

Oconee is a part of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson CSA. I have never spent any significant time up there. I bet Seneca has a few things going on since it is the county's largest town.

[krazeeboi]

Oconee (O-cone-nee) is one of the many names/words in the area left by the Cherokee Indians

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the stress is on the second syllable?

[Spartan]

So the stress is on the second syllable?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have always heard it pronounced "O-co-nee"

[btoy]

Clemson the town specifically has many many things going on, Condos all over the place.

[GSP Tiger]

Clemson is the reason Seneca continues to grow eastward. Signs of progress I have seen was Old Clemson Highway being realigned for a cross intersection with US 76/123/SC 28. I think a Subway has gone up there.

A little westward when you get into Seneca, Bi-Lo and Ingle's have both built new stores within the past four years.

[goodbye]

So the stress is on the second syllable?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, you're right.

[socaguy]

Seneca is actually growing more towards the west..towards Westminster. The new (ish) Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes and all that mess is over on the western portion. Not really much going on Downtown but the Alley area of Downtown is really nice and quaint. Seneca is also growing north towards Walhalla. I think most of the growth on the east is coming FROM Clemson.

[GSP Tiger]

I was just in Seneca a few nights ago. The retail district, the western side, is really booming. Applewood Shopping Center in that area is not faring well from Winn Dixie's closing and a K-Mart that cannot decide its actual store closing date.

Strong unconfirmed rumors are circulating that Bi-Lo plans to move into the vacating Winn Dixie in Westminister. Winn Dixie was Westminister's only supermarket for some decades. I'm unaware that Bi-Lo has plans for a store in the Wahalla/West Union area, but that market is being looked at.

[btoy]

In Seneca on Lake Keowee at developer, Marick builders of Greenville, have proposed four condo towers on the lake for as many as 330 Condos. They units will cost $500,000-$2,000,000 and the buildings could be as high as 12 Stories.

Greenville News article

[goodbye]

Thank you for the link, btoy! Wow!!! This would drastically impact the scene around Lake Keowee!

I really like the sound of this quote by the developer:

"Think of the Ritz Carlton or the Grove Park Inn on the water."

[Spartan]

I only have one problem with this project- Seneca is goin gto extend a sewer line out to this building to serve it that will be several miles long... for one building. That cost is too high for one building (even though the building probably couldn't be built otherwise). With the incredibly high number of retirees locating near Lake Keowee I see this project filling up pretty quickly.

[goodbye]

Sounds more like four buildings, according to the developer's report. And a total of 330 condominiums! This will really raise the national prominence of Lake Keowee's golf and retirement communities, which have already garnered accolades from many well-known celebrities.

[btoy]

I only have one problem with this project- Seneca is goin gto extend a sewer line out to this building to serve it that will be several miles long... for one building. That cost is too high for one building (even though the building probably couldn't be built otherwise). With the incredibly high number of retirees locating near Lake Keowee I see this project filling up pretty quickly.

I didn't re-read the article, but I think it siad that the developers plan on paying for the sewer line.

[TheSuperPope]

AHHHHHH... my parents live like two or three miles from Beacon Shores. How did I miss that one. Would be nice to see though, I think the current tallest in Oconee is the Walhalla courthouse or one of the reactor buildings at ONS.

[Spartan]

I didn't re-read the article, but I think it siad that the developers plan on paying for the sewer line.

Its still too much for one building.

[goodbye]

Uh, "four" buildings?

[Spartan]

Even still...

[goodbye]

Apparently it is up to the developers to get the necessary permits and paperwork completed before a moratorium on all multi-family housing projects near shorelines takes effect in six weeks. In essence, until the moratorium is in place, the county is powerless to stop the developer from beginning the project.

Interesting Article

Anyone know which penninsula this project will go on?

[gs3]

I'm reallt torn on how I feel about these condos. On one hand, these condos would have incredible views and be in a stunning setting. On the other, I think our lakes should be protected....they are part of what make the Greenville / Upstate area great! Not sure.....hmmmm.....

[goodbye]

Well now, I hope those residents on Lake Keyowee are happy. The developer of the luxury condos has removed 4 stories from the initial plan, eliminating 60 units.

News release from GreenvilleOnline.com

[Spartan]

Good.

[GSP Tiger]

I'm not pleased about it, but a cluster of mid-rises are okay. I doubt a few residents know the joy of living above and seeing the spectacular views of Lake Keowee and nearby mountains. I hope for another developer to come with two or three 15-to-20 level towers .