Florence Developments

[camtology]

I saw a map like this on the Spartanburg Developmental Maps Forum, and I wanted to create a similar one for Florence. Most of what I was able to add so far was big projects like Buc-ee's, the new multi-sports complex, and downtown developments. I would love to know what residential and hotel developments we have going on in the town so any input on projects listed or unlisted would be amazing!!!
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1fhgSvJ37yC7amfKQx0pjR7VYNAcHU9xk&usp=sharing

[camtology]

Here are some pictures of a mural on north Dargan street that went in front of the design review board today

[camtology]

Here are some new designs that went in front of the design review board today for rebuilding 175 N. Dargan St. into a three story building with a jewelry store on the bottom and two stories of apartments, which of the two do you prefer
https://www.cityofflorence.com/sites/default/files/uploads/agendas-files/05-11-2022_drb_packet.pdf

[vicupstate]

Brick façade. Not even close. 

[camtology]

1 hour ago, vicupstate said:

Brick façade. Not even close. 

From what I know, the design that got approved is brick for the top two stories and brown stucco for the group floor. So it’s a mix of the two but overall the dark brown/red color design won out

[camtology]

Here's a link to a new SC Now article on the different projects coming to downtown, looks like the slowdown caused by the pandemic is coming to an end 
https://scnow.com/news/local/downtown-florence-ready-for-development-to-resume/article_2a5cb16c-d2e5-11ec-a6ce-23054044210a.html#tracking-source=most-popular-homepage

[KJHburg]

Just checked the just opened Bucee's north of Florence.  53,000 sq ft with 120 gas pumps this is no convenience store.  More like a food hall meets department store meets gas station.  You have to experience it for yourself and yes it was packed!

This Texas favorite roadside attraction lives up to its Texas size roots.  Now spreading across the south like kudzu.  2 locations opened in Georgia and Florida and Alabama, 2 underway in TN and other states.  One will be in Anderson SC and NC is on the radar. 

 

[vicupstate]

Just now noticing this. Former Mayor Frank Willis died at the age of 80 last week. He served for three terms and lost his race for a fourth by literally ONE vote. he did a great job while mayor, IMO. 

Former Mayor Frank Willis dead at 80

 

[vicupstate]

• City Council unanimously approved on first reading annexation of slightly more than 3 acres at 1300 E. Palmetto Street and zoning it OSR – open space and recreation. The city of Florence acquired the blighted property –formerly the Palmetto Inn in April through a partnership with between the city, Florence County, McLeod Health and Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation. The property is in the process of demolition and will be added to the open space associated with Levy Park

 

This property has been a blight for a LONG time. It was just outside the city limits, so enforcement was limited.  It's great that all these parties came together to get this problem solved. Just demolition alone will be a huge improvement, to say nothing of adding new recreation space. This is a very visible site as you enter the city from the airport too. 

[vicupstate]

Big news on the annexation front. A single 325 acre annexation will go to Planning Commission next month.  268.23 acres in Florence County between Vintage Place and Darlington County line and 56.77 acres in Darlington County.  Anderson Farm Rd and Hoffmeyer Rd. area.  Would be first time city limits have extended into Darlington County and the biggest single annexation in several years. 

[vicupstate]

On 9/28/2022 at 7:18 PM, vicupstate said:

Big news on the annexation front. A single 325 acre annexation will go to Planning Commission next month.  268.23 acres in Florence County between Vintage Place and Darlington County line and 56.77 acres in Darlington County.  Anderson Farm Rd and Hoffmeyer Rd. area.  Would be first time city limits have extended into Darlington County and the biggest single annexation in several years. 

325 acre Annexation

[gman430]

Wow. This would be HUGE for Florence if true: 

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sources-florence-county-to-get-2b-electric-vehicle-battery-plant-tied-to-bmw/article_1d5d6914-50b9-11ed-bd9d-133cb9a32332.html

BMW is on a tear in SC. That would be $3.7 billion investment in this state for their new electric vehicles.

Edited October 21, 2022 by gman430

[vicupstate]

Palmetto Inn demolition completed. Committee to study 76 corridor

Glad to see this eyesore gone. The other improvements for this corridor sound good as well. This area has been neglected a  long time.  

[vicupstate]

On 10/21/2022 at 6:23 AM, gman430 said:

Wow. This would be HUGE for Florence if true: 

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sources-florence-county-to-get-2b-electric-vehicle-battery-plant-tied-to-bmw/article_1d5d6914-50b9-11ed-bd9d-133cb9a32332.html

BMW is on a tear in SC. That would be $3.7 billion investment in this state for their new electric vehicles.

On Wednesday, both Florence City Council and County Council had specially called meetings to approve $20 mm in economic development funds (city) and establish a multi-county industrial park and FILOT for 'Project Gemini' (county).   That's some serious dough for a medium sized city to spent on economic development.  I can't be certain that it was BWM, but it sure would fit.   

[vicupstate]

Gov. Henry McMaster and the Envision Automotive Energy Supply Co. announced an $810 million investment in Florence County to built a battery cell plant that is expected to bring 1,170 jobs to the Pee Dee region. Envision plans to make battery cells, which will then go to BMW’s Upstate facility. In October, BMW announced a $1.7 billion investment in its Upstate plant as it transitions to manufacturing all electric vehicles by 2030. “The new plant will produce technology-leading battery cells for BMW Group’s Plant Spartanburg and create 1,170 new high-value jobs in the region when at full capacity,” Envision U.S. Managing Director Jeff Deaton said Tuesday in a news release. “South Carolina already has an outstanding automotive footprint, and we are delighted to offer new jobs in the high growth electrification segment, to attract and retain the state’s highly skilled workforce. The addition of this new facility will put Florence at the forefront of the United States’ EV transformation and will help attract future investment in the region.”

BMW’s $1.7 billion investment includes the construction of a $700 million high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff. Car manufacturers are shifting towards making electric vehicles, and states such as Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky are providing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in incentives to automakers to build electric vehicles in their states.

The advanced battery format will result in 20% more energy density than the current generation of battery, which will reduce charging time and increase range and efficiency for electric vehicles by 30%, according to the governor’s office. The new facility will be located in an 870-acre Technology and Commerce Park in Florence, and will occupy about 1.5 million square feet, the governor’s office said. “The Envision AESC plant won’t just manufacture electric vehicle battery components, but will be transformational for the economy of this part of the state, Duke Energy South Carolina President Mike Callahan said in the release. “Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is a key component to recruiting and retaining operations like this to the Palmetto State.”  To move the Envision project forward, South Carolina promised to spend more than $70 million to complete an employee training facility, and add road improvements and water and sewer infrastructure. The state also is providing $135 million out of the state Department of Commerce’s closing fund to cover additional project costs. “South Carolina has been an automotive manufacturing powerhouse for over 30 years, and Envision AESC’s decision to establish operations in Florence County and to create jobs for thousands of South Carolinians shows that we will continue to be one for years to come,” McMaster said in a news release. In November, McMaster announced the creation of a “one-stop shop” at the commerce department to serve as primary contact for electric vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers interested in coming to the state. “Our partnership with Florence County, South Carolina, is part of our next phase battery strategy to power next generation EVs in the U.S. This facility is another milestone on our journey to building an electrification network in the U.S. and strengthens our commitment to grow the electrification supply chain while providing high value jobs for the community for years to come,” Envision Group CEO Shoichi Matsumoto said in the release. “We are making good progress on our ambition to create high-performance, longer-range batteries for a diverse range of automotive manufacturers worldwide to support the EV transition and we’re excited to bring Florence County on this journey with us.” Aligning with the company’s global commitment to sustainability, the new, 30GWh manufacturing plant will be powered by 100% net zero carbon energy, according to the governor’s office.

This is a large investment for Florence County, the home base of the late Sen. Hugh Leatherman, who as the longtime Senate Finance Committee chairman for 20 years steered millions of dollars toward the region for economic development projects. Examples include money for Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Technical College to help grow and educate a workforce for the area. Both colleges received millions of dollars in earmarks, otherwise known as pet projects individual legislators have say over in the state budget. More than a decade ago, the South Carolina Infrastructure Bank sent $340 million to Florence County to help build a bypass and widen S.C. 51 and U.S. 76, among other improvements, to handle increased traffic in the area. Tuesday’s announcement was cheered in Florence. Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin said: “We celebrate Envision AESC’s decision to locate their newest battery facility in Florence.” “What a landmark moment for our community as we welcome Envision AESC to Florence County. This project represents one of the largest announcements in the history of Florence County,” Florence County Council Chair Willard Dorriety said in the release. “The creation of 1,170 new full-time jobs will provide transformational career opportunities for our citizens.” Anyone interested in applying for a job with Envision should go to SC’s recruitment website. Companies interested in becoming a supplier for Envision should fill out S.C. Commerce’s online interest form. 

 

[vicupstate]

On 10/5/2022 at 5:25 PM, vicupstate said:

325 acre Annexation

Florence city limits now extend to and into Darlington County.  This map only shows Florence County though.

[camtology]

Urban Square project phase 1 (apartments and parking garage) seem to have finally begun yesterday
https://www.wbtw.com/news/pee-dee/florence/florence-breaking-ground-on-first-phase-of-65-million-urban-square-project/

[camtology]

this isn't an official start for any construction projects but it still shows that city government still has interests in projects like refurbishing the theater downtown and turning the circle park building into a medical school building. hopefully projects likes this finally being built will mean that downtown will actually become more than just 4 blocks
https://www.postandcourier.com/pee-dee/news/florence-officials-look-to-future-downtown-development/article_6a74d576-e8f7-11ed-8b39-1f828c997163.html

[vicupstate]

SC investing $100mm into new Florence Behavioral Health Hub

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investing up to $100 million in the new Florence Behavioral Health Hub, a collaboration between McLeod Health, MUSC, Francis Marion University and others.

The first-of-its-kind facility will bring specialized mental and behavioral health care to the people of the Pee Dee region with 20 crisis beds, 63 long-term patient beds, a rapid-access center that will provide walk-in assessments, virtual services and behavioral health clinics.

At the hub’s announcement on Thursday, speakers said this facility was the dream of the late state Senator Hugh Leatherman, whom the hub will be named after.

The center will replace the MUSC-owned Cedar Tower campus on East Cedar Street in Florence. In addition to the state funding, the city will also be investing $5 million in the facility.

[vicupstate]

1,000 new residential units for DT Florence in next ten years

 

DT Florence 2030 Plan

[camtology]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:53 AM, vicupstate said:

1,000 new residential units for DT Florence in next ten years

 

DT Florence 2030 Plan

this is a very important goal, it won't matter much if we can revive our downtown with a few stores and restaurants if we can't make it a place that people want to live at as well as spend time there from morning to night. I would love to see some larger scale apartment projects for the area in and around downtown

[camtology]

New downtown general store on Evans St., had their soft opening yesterday, I haven't been in yet so I don't know what all they are selling but I know many people have been hoping to have a store downtown like this

 

https://www.facebook.com/barringergeneralstore/?locale=hi_IN&paipv=0&eav=Afa2Ulfmsypgb9OWJnqmUjTVh0cVfKHpKtzAofR8zi9V_izAqmygacuY4SyF3Oj9rkI&_rdr

[vicupstate]

The Sarah - $4million project for DT Florence

Downtown Florence is continuing its transformation with the announcement of a $4 million development to provide residential and commercial space in the historic district.

It’s the latest in a series of projects designed to spark downtown revitalization.

The new development, “The Sarah,” will be located on East NB Baroody Street and will include 18 luxury townhomes and a strip of commercial storefront, according to developer Wesley Martin.

 

The city of Florence approved a $500,000 grant for the project at the City Council’s Jan. 9 meeting.

“This is a good project that represents a lot of what we are striving to do in the new downtown master plan,” Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said.

The Sarah will consist of three buildings just one block east of Dargan Street: a three-story commercial space facing Baroody Street and two two-story residential buildings behind it. Together, the buildings will total 26,000 square feet.

[vicupstate]

Florence has a 137 acre annexation pending. If approved as expected the city will have added more than a square mile in about 14 months.