Estate Planning Attorney inPacolet, SC

PACOLET — Creating a vision and making it happen has proved difficult for the town of Pacolet, which is pushing forward with plans to redevelop areas for outdoor events in space along a picturesque riverfront that once was home to the textile mill that drove the area's economy.

There's no shortage of ideas, but there's not enough money or resources to implement any of them.

That's always been a hurdle that town officials have worked to overcome. There was a renewed push in recent years to find alternative funding sources including grants to jumpstart new projects. What's kept the town from moving forward has been apathy among some who don't want change. But with the infusion of new residents from out of state and some long-time residents, there's been a spark created to build new partnerships for the future.

Part of that is a comprehensive plan the town adopted in 2024 — Pacolet's first in more than 20 years. Along with it came a master plan with a list of projects including installing zip lines near the Pacolet River, upgrading the amphitheater built in 1924, and adding a boardwalk and new fishing pier at an area called The Flats.

The Flats is a place where the community gathers for annual festivals and shows. That's not all that's being redeveloped. A new park is coming as soon as 2026.

The park development's momentum has stalled somewhat since the concept was hatched in 2024.

Volunteers have been busy clearing debris from the site. A park design will be presented to Norfolk Southern for consideration. Norfolk Southern owns the property and has encouraged the town to move forward with plans even giving a verbal commitment of providing funds for it.

In recent months, the project has stalled.

Pacolet Town Councilman Thomas Williams remains optimistic that the park could become a new destination for visitors. He said until Pacolet shows results the town is likely to remain stagnant with no real growth or interest from anyone looking to invest.

He's been involved in developing the park since the start.

"Norfolk Southern owns that property and we have met with them," Williams said. "They like our ideas but we have to show them we are doing something and get our ducks in a row and a plan with funding. Unless the town does something like this, we are not going to see outside people interested in Pacolet. We don't have a track record of doing a significant project without getting scammed."

Williams hopes redeveloping the Pacolet Mill Cloth Room and Warehouse will revitalize the area. But the town got burned on a former deal to redevelop that site, which is near The Flats not far from the Pacolet River.

Plans in 2014 to redevelop the space into a senior center did not pan out leading to criminal charges against Callis J. Anderson Jr. who was paid more than $500,000 in public funds with no results. Anderson was awarded a contract from 2014 to 2017 to transform the spot into something new for the community. The site sat idle with no construction, which led to town officials sounding the alarm.

A State Law Enforcement Division's investigation subsequently accused Anderson of wrongdoing. Anderson pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement, breach of trust and obtaining money under false pretenses in August 2023. He was sentenced to five years of probation on the condition he pay back $115,000 of the money he was paid.

Williams told The Post and Courier that Anderson paid the town back the money he owed.

A new developer — North Carolina-based Liles Construction — plans to redevelop the former cloth room and warehouse into mixed-use. Work should begin by early 2026. Paul Liles, Liles Construction president and CEO, initially planned to begin site work in summer 2025. He's pushed back the timeline by about six months and remains committed to the project.

The plan includes developing a mixed-use venue with retail, restaurants, a brewery and event space in a 60,000-square-foot building.

"We have an obligation to have it completed by 2028 and working with the town to make sure things are happening together," Liles said. "It's going to cost us about $4.5 million to complete the shell piece but that will be flexible depending on tenant interest as we prepare to get tenants involved."

Pacolet Town Council agreed March 6 to hire Liles Construction to also help develop a conceptual plan on what it would cost to redevelop The Flats. Liles said he expects the cost assessment to be presented to council in a few months.

Williams considers The Flats among the town's biggest assets.

The property is still owned by Milliken and Co., which lends itself to a few hurdles. The town can't redevelop the area without approval.

"It needs to be a top priority but people are nervous about the price tag that is why we are going through this contract (with Liles Construction)," Williams said. "We have run through a list of potential grants but no money has been lined up. The complicated part is that it's not our property. It's Milliken's property and we have to have something ready to go before Milliken which is going to be a daunting undertaking."

There's been new business coming to town.

During the past year, EJ's Place opened. It's quickly become a favorite spot for subs, salads, and sandwiches. Earlier this year, The Local Eatery also opened. It's a popular meat and three restaurant that has filled a void.

There's been some positive strides made including the opening of the Benjamin E. Mays Family Resource Center on Sunny Acres Road in 2023. It's been a focal point for community meetings. Work continues to remove blighted areas in town as the revitalization process continues.

For most, the development of a new park remains a top priority. It's going to be nearly 6 acres.

Pacolet Mayor Ned Camby said the park will be developed in phases and could be open by early 2026. The town may decide to rent equipment to finish mulching what stumps are left at the future park site.

"We have a drawing of what we want the park to look like," Camby said. "The first phase we will put a walking trail around it and keep improving the grounds over there."

The town of about 2,500 residents is in eastern Spartanburg County. It's about 10 miles from Spartanburg. The area was originally known as Trough Shoals. A mill constructed by John. H. Montgomery opened on the banks of the Pacolet River in 1884. The mill operated until 1983.