Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on November 16.
OneSpartanburg, Inc. is proud to announce a transformative public-private partnership with Spartanburg County and the M Peters Group, an upstate real estate development company, to redevelop the former site of Clifton Mill Number Two.
Spartanburg County, who acquired the site in 2013 for $226,000, will transfer 30 acres to the M Peters Group who will invest approximately $60 million in private redevelopment and public improvements. Upon completion of significant enhancements, MPG will return approximately 19 acres to Spartanburg County as an improved public park.
Located in Greenville, SC, the M Peters Group specializes in transforming blighted land and abandoned buildings into places that contribute to the health, economic vitality, and quality of life of their communities. Optimistic about Spartanburg’s trajectory, MPG is vetting additional projects within Spartanburg County.
PROJECT DETAILS:
- An approximate 30-acre former mill site situated along Clifton Glendale Road will be redeveloped. The property borders the Pacolet River on both sides, is home to a spillover dam, and is partially utilized as Spartanburg County’s Clifton Park. The thoughtful project will maintain the area’s natural setting and retain existing riverside trails, picnic areas and access points.
- The multi-family development will include 239 modern market rate units, a blend of studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedrooms, offering brick balconies, natural light and river views. Led by award-winning firms Perkins & Will and SGA Narmour Wright Design, the architecture is inspired by the historic mill’s setting, architecture, massing, scale and materials.
- 7,000 SF of commercial space gives potential for a riverfront restaurant.
- MPG will build public facilities to serve Clifton Park beachgoers, as well as repave the existing parking area. A small playground area with parking lot will also be improved.
- MPG will improve an informal kayak put-in to become a formal livery, providing boat access to travel downriver for about 3 hours to reach a take out in Pacolet.
- MPG and Spartanburg County will partner to widen and straighten River Rd.
- PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well! will expand the Daniel Morgan Trail System east with the addition of a 4.1 mile trail connector between Glendale and Clifton. The County and MPG will partner to develop a trail spur including a pedestrian bridge across the river connecting the site to the trail.
Clifton Mill, established in 1880, was home to Clifton Manufacturing. The surrounding mill village was everything to the families who lived and worked there: home, school, church, work and recreation. As quoted in Clifton, A River of Memories, by Michael Hembree and David Moore, the mill areas was described in 1881 as follows: ““The mill is located in a fertile district of a rolling county, which enjoys a splendid climate, in sight of the Blue Ridge. Situated at the foot of a hill, near the stream which furnishes a never ending supply of water, it has natural advantages of a superior order, which have been carefully utilized.”
Clifton Manufacturing began its economic decline in the 1960s. A story common to Southern textile communities, the loss of industry was devastating to the area. Once revered for its economic power and natural beauty, Clifton Mill was dismantled in the early 2000s, leaving expansive concrete slabs and construction debris along the riverbank. Spartanburg County purchased the former mill site in 2013 at the request of the community and developed the site into Clifton Park, a passive park which provides the public with parking, picnic areas and access to the Pacolet River.
QUOTES:
“OneSpartanburg, Inc., works with developers to bring quality projects to the overall Spartanburg community. Katherine O’Neill and her team wrap support around developments to make sure that barriers are minimized or eliminated. Our team has been impressed with the manner in which Spartanburg County, the City of Spartanburg, and OneSpartanburg, Inc. work collaboratively and diligently with developers on their projects.”
– Mark Peters, president of M Peters Group
“Until now, former mill sites in eastern parts of Spartanburg County have not seen the same level of interest and investment as those in central and western parts. We have had high hopes for the Clifton Mill Number Two site, and are very fortunate that the M Peters Group has the vision to take it on. The project will be transformative for the Clifton, Cowpens and Glendale area for generations to come.”
– David Britt , economic development chair for Spartanburg County Council.
“Spartanburg County recognized opportunity in this site almost a decade ago and made the decision to purchase it. At the time, resources limited development to a passive park. This partnership with the M Peters Group will help bring a long awaited vision to reality.”
– Cole Alverson, county administrator for Spartanburg County.
“One of the long term goals of The Daniel Morgan Trail System is to tie our urban areas together from the Pacolet River to the North Tyger, and this connection from Glendale to Clifton is critical in making that goal a reality. The 4.1 mile trail connection will highlight two of Spartanburg’s most beautiful natural amenities – the Pacolet River and Lawson’s Fork Creek. While PAL is still working through the exact routing, we are confident and excited about what this connection will mean for the eastside of Spartanburg.”
– Laura Ringo, executive director of PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well! (formerly Partners for Active Living)
“We are seeing a wave of interest in eastern Spartanburg County. We are thankful to find a partner who is aligned with Spartanburg’s vision. This project elevates recreational amenities, improving access to trail systems and blueways, and creates new housing options a convenient distance from our urban center and the Cowpens community.”
– Katherine O’Neill, chief economic development officer at OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Original source can be found here.
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