By: Tracy Sanders, Publisher
tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
WOODRUFF — The Woodruff Area Council held its first meeting of the year Tuesday, May 19, at Woodruff City Hall, bringing together local business owners, business representatives, officials from OneSpartanburg, Inc., and representatives from the City of Woodruff.
During the meeting, Woodruff City Assistant City Manager and Planning Director Brandon McMahan presented updates on the new athletic complex currently under construction on Godfrey Town Road.
McMahan discussed several features planned for the complex, including state-of-the-art lighting and turf systems. He also highlighted plans for a kayak access point on the Enoree River within the park area. Another feature discussed was the tiered field design planned for the facility.
According to McMahan, the project is intended to help attract additional visitors and create opportunities for increased business activity for local businesses.
The athletic complex is currently scheduled to open in the summer of 2027.
Leadership Changes Announced at Woodruff Area Council Meeting
During the meeting, Hope Howard announced that siblings Hunter Brown and Leslie Cash, who have led the Woodruff Area Council for the past five years, will no longer serve in those leadership roles. No plans for replacements were discussed during the meeting.
Downtown Woodruff Traffic Concerns Discussed
During discussion following the presentation, Tracy Sanders of The Woodruff Times asked whether there were plans to encourage visitors attending events at the athletic complex to also visit downtown Woodruff businesses.
McMahan responded that visitors could access downtown by traveling Edwards Mill Road or Highway 101 to Main Street.
Sanders also raised concerns regarding the amount and type of traffic traveling through downtown Woodruff, noting that some businesses and residents have expressed concerns about pedestrian safety and parking along Main Street.
A question was raised about the possibility of reducing traffic through downtown to two lanes, noting that portions of the roadway transition to two lanes shortly outside the downtown area.
According to McMahan, the South Carolina Department of Transportation previously determined that reducing traffic to two lanes would create significant traffic backups extending from North Main Street.
Traffic Data Reviewed Following Meeting
Following the meeting, Sanders reviewed South Carolina Department of Transportation traffic data, which showed an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) count of approximately 22,100 vehicles traveling along the section of North Main Street just before entering downtown Woodruff.
