Criminal Defense Attorney inReidville, SC

REIDVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) — A Greenville developer said plans to build a town center in Reidville are moving forward.

“It gives a place for families to gather, young people to gather, a lot of restaurants and retail,” said Bill Cureton, owner and president of Triad Development.

Cureton said they’re in the process of finalizing design plans for the project. He said soon this vision will start coming to life.

In the next few weeks, people in Reidville can expect to see progress at the former elementary school site.

“The town council has decided, due to the cost of up fitting and bringing the school to today’s ADA standards that they want to have it demoed, so we’re getting the permits in place for that,” said Cureton.

After the building is torn down, Cureton said it could be just weeks before crews begin work on the town center.

“We should be starting construction this year. We’ve told the town council that we hope to have Main Street in before Christmas,” said Cureton.

He estimated, in total, this is an $18 to $20 million project. Cureton hopes people are excited to experience and visit the new town center.

“There’s going to be a lot of open space, a lot of walking trails, about 100,000 to 120,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and some second story townhouse apartments downtown,” said Cureton.

He said this project is a long time coming, after several delays over the years. 7News previously covered a meeting about the town center project in August 2018.

“2016, I believe, is when we first started working on this project. So, you know, it’s a great thing and sometimes great things take a little bit of time,” said Cureton.

He’s looking forward to work finally starting and said the town center will have a positive impact on people in the area.

“I always say to people, you know, ‘meet me downtown.’ It will be the first time you can say that, when that’s finally finished, you can meet me in downtown Reidville, with stuff to do,” said Cureton.

He said parts of the Reidville town center could be open by early next summer.

Kathy Fowler Costello remembers growing up on a farm surrounded by peach orchards in Reidville when most of the nearest stores were in Spartanburg.

“There weren’t that many places around,” she said. “We used to run out when we saw a car coming. Now there’s barely a second between cars. There’s housing developments going up everywhere now.”

One store that was a short walk for her was W.W. “Doc” Lowe’s, which was built in 1948 by her uncle Wilbur Wardlaw Lowe and served as the local filling station, general store and a meeting place for locals.

That business no longer exists, and after being used as a wrecker service, a restaurant and hot dog stand, the concrete storefront and garage has a new tenant — Sweet Tea Station Farmhouse Market.

The country store is a dream come true for longtime Reidville resident Sabrina Hodges.

“Back in the fall when we saw this space was open, I decided to open the shop,” said Hodges, who this weekend is celebrating her six-month anniversary.

Hodges grew up in Tabor City in Eastern North Carolina, where her grandmother ran a country store. She and her husband moved to Reidville 22 years ago.

“It brought back a lot of memories of how I grew up,” Hodges said. “I just felt Reidville needed something for the community. I wanted to bring something that many people could be proud of.”

With help from her daughters Blake, 21, and Kassidy, 18, Hodges has filled the store with a variety of items — some made locally — such as soaps, candles, signs, pillows, jewelry, T-shirts and other gifts. She also sells personalized gift cards and primitives she picks up at flea markets.

There are old photos of the store from its early days hung on the walls. And of course, she sells sweet tea.

“If you’re looking for something in particular, I’ll write it down in the notebook and look for it,” she said. “People like personal service, a personal touch. They know they’ll get personal service and a fair price.”

She said business has been good the first six months, but what’s more rewarding are the comments she gets from longtime residents who visit and tell of their childhood memories.

“There was ice cream, drinks and penny candy,” she said.

Some have donated things like an old trunk, a farmhouse door and other items they wanted to share with others. There is also an original Zenith electric clock on a shelf that was owned by Doc Lowe.

Costello said she and her cousin would go to her grandmother’s house across the road from the store after school at Reidville Elementary, waiting for their parents to pick them up later. To kill time, they’d often visit the store.

“There was a long bar with a cash register, a Coca-Cola cooler next to that ice cream with Popsicles. I liked banana Popsicles," Costello said. "There was a candy counter, bread and milk — the necessities to keep you from having to go into Spartanburg. And there was a nickel pinball machine."

Costello no longer lives in Reidville. She moved to Spartanburg after she and her brother sold the old family homestead.

But she enjoys stopping at Sweet Tea Station and chatting with Hodges when she gets the chance.

“She’s one of my best friends,” Costello said. “She has a knack for putting things together.”

Reidville Road, Moore-Duncan Highway and East Main Street in Spartanburg are among several major roads that would be repaved with funding from a new six-year penny sales tax if voters approve in November.

In all, 34 major asphalt pavement projects would be completed by the sixth year the tax is collected, according to a list the Spartanburg County Council forwarded to a six-member commission. The commission will draft the language of a referendum to appear on the November ballot.

In addition, there are numerous countywide stormwater and intersection improvement projects and hundreds of neighborhood street repaving projects that would be paid for by the penny tax, which is estimated to generate $478 million over six years.

If approved, the sales tax would continue to be applied to items purchased in the county when the current penny tax – which was raised from 6 cents to 7 cents in 2018 – expires April 30, 2024.

"It is imperative that we fix our roads and intersections now because every day that goes by without them being repaired they fall further into a state of disrepair. The cost then goes up exponentially," County Councilman David Britt said.

The county maintains more than 1,700 miles of roads and 150 bridges. An estimated 45% of them are classified as in poor condition, and the S.C. Department of Transportation estimates that 60% of the state's secondary roads in the county are also in poor condition.

Spartanburg County Council: 'How are we going to pay to fix the roads?'

Britt said many roads were built more than 50 years ago and not designed to handle the weight of vehicles of today, such as SUVs and large trucks that deliver goods to distribution centers and grocery stores.

All County Council and several City Council members have stated support for a new penny tax, saying it is the least painful way to fix what is the number one local issue for many residents.

"I think its the best thing to do," said County Councilman Bob Walker. "It's the fairest way and the best way, and it's spread out. I'm elected by the citizens, and that's who I work for. If they want to discuss the penny tax with me, I'm available."

County Councilman Justin McCorkle said the penny tax is "the best option … to get the best bang for the buck, so to speak.

"This option provides the least burden on citizens and the greatest impact on roadway improvements," McCorkle said.

Britt said he was recently asked why the county doesn't simply use tax revenues from new companies coming to Spartanburg County to pay for road improvements.

"I told the resident it would take over 125 years to just generate the money that the penny sales tax will generate in six years," Britt said. "Today the question is how are we going to pay to fix the roads?

"Either have an astronomical property tax increase that no one wants or use the penny sales," Britt said. "Thirty-five percent or more of the revenues generated by the penny sales tax will be paid for by people who do not live in Spartanburg that use our roads. Why not let them help us pave our roads."

County Councilman Jack Mabry said, "As long as we wait till the current penny sales tax for the courthouse is sunset and we put it to a vote, I feel the penny sales tax is the best way to address our roads. I am not a big fan of back-to-back penny tax, but if we want better roads this is the bet way to address it."

Public Works Director Travis Brown estimated a backlog of $500 million in roads that are in need of repair.

Brown, who compiled the list of road projects spread over six years, told council members the projects will be "concentrated in areas of higher growth" and take into account pavement condition, traffic counts, crash data and functionality.

Spartanburg County road, bridge projects spread out over six years

The project list is divided into six tiers, with the first tier being the highest priority to start in the first year, and the sixth tier the lowest priority in the final year of the penny tax.

Planned Spartanburg area projects

Here is a look at major projects planned under Tier 1 if the penny tax referendum commission approves the list to appear on the November ballot:

Tier 1, asphalt pavement improvement:

Moore-Duncan Highway (SC 290), from Reidville Road to Rogers Bridge Road, 2.75 miles, $6.6 million; Moore-Duncan Highway (SC 290) from Meauly Road to N. Danzler Road, 1.4 miles, $3.6 million; Reidville Road (SC 296), from SC 290 to SC 295, 5.5 miles, $14 million; E. Main Street in Spartanburg, from US 29 to Converse Street, 2.9 miles, $1.4 million.

Tier 1, intersection improvement:

Zion Hill Road at Sloan's Grove Road, a roundabout, $3 million.

Tier 2, asphalt pavement improvement:

Main St./E. St. John St./W. St. John St., from SC 296 to Cherokee County line, 11 miles, $22 million; Cherry Hill Road, from US 29 to River Street, 3.2 miles, $2 million; Foster Street, from Cannons Campground Road to US 29, 2.8 miles, $1.1 million.

Tier 2, bridge replacement:

Alverson Road bridge, Campobello, $4.5 million; Freys Drive bridge, Spartanburg westside, $2.75 million.

Tier 2, intersection improvement:

US 176 at Dogwood Club Road, $2.5 million; Floyd Road at Cannons Campground Road, $1.5 million.

Tier 3, asphalt pavement improvement:

Rutherford Street, from I-26 to US 176, 2 miles, $2.8 million; Redland Road, from SC 14 to Red Hill Lane, 1.3 miles, $1.1 million; Brockman/McClimon Road, from I-85 to SC 101, 1.5 miles, $3.4 million; Abner Creek Road, from SC 101 to Westmoreland Road, 4.6 miles, $3.9 million; Cavins Road, from E. Hayne St. to E. Georgia Road, 1.6 miles, $1.4 million; Peanut Road, from East Georgia Road to US 221, 1.8 miles, 1.5 million; Edwards Road, from Fountain Inn Road to SC 101, 2.5 miles, $2.1 million; Fernwood/Glendale Road, from SC 29 to Clifton/Glendale Road, 3.1 miles, $6.6 million.

Tier 3, bridge replacement:

Grand Canyon Road bridge, Inman, $1.75 million; Calvary Road bridge, Inman, $1.75 million.

Tier 3, intersection improvement:

Gossett Road at Cannons Campground Road, $3 million; SC 129 at Carver/Bobo, $3 million; SC 292 at Bishop Road, $3 million.

Tier 4, asphalt pavement improvement:

Southport Road from SC 215 to US 176, 12.6 miles, $24.6 million; Old Canaan Road, from SC 295 to Canaan Road, 2.9 miles, $2.5 million.

Tier 4, bridge replacement:

Settle Road bridge, Inman, $2 million; Landrum Mill Road bridge, Landrum, $2 million.

Tier 4, intersection improvement:

SC 357 at SC 358, $3.5 million; Old Converse Road at Cannons Campground Road, $2 million; Double Bridge Road at Hanging Rock Road, $3 million; Hammett Store Road at SC 357, $3 million.

Tier 5, asphalt pavement improvement:

Reidville Road from SC 295 to W. Main St., 2.4 miles, $4.5 million; US 221, from Southport Road to Barnwell Road, 6.2 miles, $29.5 million; Camelot Drive from US 29 to SC 296, 1 mile, $2 million; N. Daniel Morgan Ave., from US 29 to N. Church St., 0.4 miles, $722,975; Powell Mill Road, from SC 29 to Front St., 1.3 miles, $1.1 million; Powell Mill/Textile Road, from Front St. to Vanderbilt Road, 1 mile, $851,840; Powell Mill Road, from Powell Mill to Textile St., 0.6 miles, $477,030; Oak Grove Road, from S. Blackstock Road to Reidville Road, 0.67 miles, $856,099; Oak Grove Road, Reidville Road to South Blackstock Road, 1.1 miles, $1.4 million.

Tier 5, bridge replacement:

Stewart Road bridge, Pauline, $2.5 million; Rock Hill Church Road bridge, Inman, $2.5 million.

Tier 5, intersection improvement:

Battleground Road at US 29, $4.5 million; Old Furnace Road at Sugar Ridge Road, $3.5 million; Mt. Zion Road at John Dodd Road, $3 million; W. Henry St. at S. Forest St., $3.5 million.

Tier 5, county road corridor reconstruction:

Plainview Drive, from US 29 to Cannons Campground Road, 1.1 miles, $3.5 million; Blalock Road, from SC 9 to Old Furnace Road, 0.9 miles, $3.5 million.

Tier 6, asphalt pavement improvement:

SC 101, from Arnold Road to Rogers Bridge Road, 11.3 miles, $27 million.

Tier 6, bridge replacement:

RC Thompson Road bridge, Chesnee, $1.75 million; Bearden Road bridge, Roebuck, $2.25 million.

Tier 6, county road corridor reconstruction:

Upper Valley Falls Road from Valley Falls Road to US 176, 1.2 miles, $4.75 million; Hammett Store Road, from Hampton Road to SC 357, 2.2 miles, $6 million; Floyd Road, from Cannons Campground Road to US 221, 1.7 miles, $4.75 million; Genoble Road, from Victor Hill Road to Robinson Road, 0.9 miles,, $3.75 million; Foster Road, from SC 11 to Compton Bridge Road, 4.1 miles, $14 million.

Reidville, South Carolina is a small town that has been overlooked in the past but is quickly becoming one of the hottest places to be. With its picturesque streets, charming homes, and friendly neighbors, there are plenty of reasons why so many people are moving here. From economic growth to job opportunities and housing choices, Reidville offers something for everyone.

Reidville has seen economic growth that is unparalleled, with businesses popping up in the downtown area and around town. While the largest industries in Reidville are Manufacturing and Health Care & Social Services, there are plenty of other businesses that have set up shops within the city limits, providing a variety of goods and services to locals. The overall economy is growing with new construction projects, job openings, and improved quality of life for those who choose to call Reidville home.

Reidville has become a bustling hub of activity, making it an ideal place to find work. With the growth of businesses and industry, there are more job opportunities than ever before. There is a wide range of positions available from retail stores to restaurants to corporate offices – whatever your experience or skill set may be, Reidville is quickly becoming a place that offers an assortment of employment opportunities and careers.

Some of the top employers found in Spartanburg County include Spartanburg Regional Health Services District, Inc, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, and Diversco Integrated Services, Inc.

There has been a substantial amount of growth in terms of population with the number of residents increasing by 31.4% between 2019 and 2020. As of 2020, Reidville was the 183rd largest city in the state. The current unemployment rate for Reidville sits at roughly 4.7% which is lower than the national average, which is about 6.0%. Reidville, SC has a projected job growth rate of 5.9% in 3 years, 12.4% in 5 years, and 26.7% in 10 years.

One of the biggest draws to Reidville is the housing options. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cottage or a luxurious single-family home, there are plenty of great choices in this city. With prices ranging from lower-cost rentals to high-end estates, whatever your budget may be, Reidville offers a number of quiet and friendly neighborhoods.

The majority of homes for sale in Reidville, South Carolina are single-family detached homes. There is, however, a selection of townhomes also located throughout town. The homes in the area are generally more affordable than the national average, with excellent schools, plenty of amenities, and easy access to larger cities nearby.

Students residing in Reidville, South Carolina will have the opportunity to attend public schools which are administered by Spartanburg District Five. This district is known for its excellent educational opportunities, and it offers a variety of programs to students in grades pre-K through 12.

There is one school directly located within the boundaries of Reidville. Reidville Elementary School is located at 520 Main Street and services students from the area from pre-kindergarten to grade 4. From primary school, students will attend nearby institutes for middle school and high school.

Though Reidville, SC only spans about 1.5 miles, the town still offers its residents a handful of amenities to make life easy and enjoyable. There is a ton of wooded and open space throughout Reidville which gives the community a semi-rural feel. Many residents are attracted to the small-town atmosphere and enjoy the lack of congestion that nearby large cities provide.

Located in the northeast corner of Reidville, Tyger River Park is an expansive community park that features 13 baseball diamonds, a training facility, a well-equipped children’s playground, and an amphitheater. Managed by Spartanburg County, Tyger River Park has been hailed as South Carolina’s premier baseball and softball tournament facility. Other exciting features of the park include an 18-hole disc golf course, 1.25 miles of walking trails, a dog park, outdoor fitness equipment, and a large splash pad.

Though not directly found in Reidville, nearby there is a collection of stores and restaurants that can be reached in a matter of minutes. At the convergence of Reidville Road and E Main Street, which falls under 10 minutes to the east, there are popular options such as Marco’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Flavorshot Hot Chicken and Ribs, and many other familiar stops. This commercial intersection also is home to necessary services such as pharmacies, food stores, gas stations, and more.

Reidville is a small town that’s quickly becoming one of the hottest places to live and work. With its picturesque streets, charming homes, and friendly neighbors, Reidville is a great place for families and professionals alike. From excellent education, housing options, and amenities, to a low unemployment rate, this small town is becoming an increasingly popular destination. With its potential for growth and prosperity, Reidville has rightfully earned its reputation as a rising city.

Today the Herald-Journal continues profiles on mayors of Spartanburg County's small towns.

By GARY HENDERSON

Staff Writer

REIDVILLE -- Gene Snow's main goal is to make decisions that will protect Reidville's history, heritage and identity.

"No more than 16 or 17 years ago, I could sit out on the porch in the late afternoon, hear a car coming and know who it was by the time of day it was," Snow, 47, said. "We know there are going to be changes, but you try to plan for the changes."

Drive any direction from the heart of Reidville and you'll see subdivisions, a golf course and widened roads that have turned Highway 296 through the sleepy, former farm village into a bustling road.

Since the late 1990s, Snow and Reidville residents have worried about how growth in Greer, Duncan and even Spartanburg might wipe out the historic village.

"That's the reason we reincorporated in 1997," Snow said. "If they annex, they're blocked at our town line. They can't overtake us. We wanted Reidville to survive and always be Reidville."

Snow was first elected mayor in 1997 and re-elected in 2001. Both times, he ran unopposed.

His office is in a small frame house the town purchased a few years ago, a stone's throw from the caution light that slows traffic for Reidville's busiest intersection.

"Come on, I'll give you the grand tour," Snow

said as he walked through the living room, bedrooms and kitchen that were converted to office space. "It won't take but a second."

Snow heads a Town Council of five members, who meet once a month. He said it's difficult when decisions are unpopular with some of the town's residents.

"Every decision council makes, we try to make it based on what is best for the town," Snow said. "Hardest thing is dealing with people you've known all your life who disagree. You have to be certain every decision improves the town a little bit."

Monetary gain is not the motivator that drives Snow. His annual salary is $599. A dollar more, and the town would have to file W-2 forms with the Internal Revenue Service.

"I usually come by every day after work for a couple of hours," said Snow, a dye technician for Tyco. "It takes more time than I imagined."

Yet Snow wouldn't change anything about the responsibilities that come with the mayoral job.

"I really enjoy it," Snow said. "It's been a great learning experience."

Reidville was founded in the 1850s as the headquarters of academies to educate young men and young women. Local newspaper writers of the period called Reidville one of the most beautiful towns in the South. It was said the people who lived in Reidville did so because it was like a "fairy tale village in the woods."

The Rev. Robert Harden Reid was the founder of the academies and the pastor of Nazareth Presbyterian Church from 1858 to 1905. The valedictorian of his graduating college class, Reid believed and preached education.

The town of Reidville was founded in reaction to a New Year's Day sermon Reid preached in 1853. Almost immediately after the sermon, people began to look for land to build the academies.

The schools opened in 1857.

Snow says that if he is to keep Reidville's heritage intact, he must convince the U.S. Postal Service to think of his town as a single unit.

Currently, people who live in the small town can have addresses that read Reidville, Moore, Duncan or Greer. No mail is delivered from the tiny Reidville post office.

"Town Hall is 7304 Reidville Road," Snow said. "The house behind us has a Duncan address. Go down the road a little ways, and you're in Moore. The other direction, Greer."

Snow said he has tried to get the postal situation straightened out since he took office. He said he sent letters to every elected official who represents this part of South Carolina but has not been able to get one mailing address for all of Reidville's residents.

"I want it all to be Reidville," Snow said. "That's been my mission since day one."

Sandra Gowan, Reidville's town clerk, has known Snow all her life.

"He's very pleasant to work for," Gowan said. "Sometimes he can be a little overbearing, especially on business licenses. I'm the enforcement officer. If somebody's doing business in Reidville, (Snow) wants them to have a license."

Gowan said Snow works well with people who live in the town.

"He's great," Gowan said. "He really goes the long haul for the residents."

Snow won't say if he plans to run for a third term, but he hasn't ruled it out.

"I've got awhile to think about it, since I have until December 2004 to file," Snow said. "I guess it depends on how things are going."

Gary Henderson can be reached at 562-7230 or gary.henderson@shj.com.

Please support us by turning off your adblocker.

Get unlimited digital access, along with subscriber-exclusive content, and more.

Powered By