By: Tracy Sanders, Publisher | tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
MAULDIN, S.C. — Mauldin City Council approved $150,000 for pre-development work at City Center and authorized city leaders to pursue the purchase of property on North Main Street following an executive session Aug. 17.
Council voted 6-0 to allocate the money from the city’s restricted general fund balance for pre-development activities at City Center.
A January 2025 City Center master plan envisions redeveloping the area between North Main Street, Murray Drive and East Butler Road into three connected sections.
The proposed southern section would include a reimagined civic center with public green space and connections to nearby commercial development. A central connector area is envisioned with apartments, retail businesses, an internal plaza and access to a planned Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail extension. The northern section is proposed as a walkable, mixed-use urban center with dining, retail, commercial and residential spaces.
The conceptual plan also includes a new internal road network, pedestrian connections, a possible connection to Sunset Drive and public-private development opportunities. The presentation identifies access to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and incentives for public improvements as potential advantages of the redevelopment. The master plan represents a long-term vision, and individual projects would still require further planning and approval.
In a separate 6-0 vote, council authorized Mayor Terry Merritt and Assistant City Administrator Gregory Saxton to issue a letter of intent to purchase property at 202 N. Main St. under terms discussed in executive session.
According to the Greenville County tax map, the city already owns approximately half an acre at 116 N. Main St., which sits next to the approximately half-acre property at 202 N. Main St. The city also owns approximately 0.89 acres at 208 N. Main St.
Councilman Reynolds was absent for the two votes after leaving for a personal matter.
The actions followed an executive session involving Mauldin Stadium at BridgeWay Station, the City Center Village redevelopment and a matter identified as Project Trailblazer. Officials reported that no votes were taken and no decisions were made behind closed doors.
Resident Raises Concerns About Flock Camera Oversight
During public comment, resident Jason Plikas called for greater transparency, accountability and safeguards surrounding the city’s use of Flock automated license-plate-reading cameras.
His comments followed the termination of former Mauldin Police Officer Ellie Hammond, who officials said used the Flock system 166 times between March and July to track a vehicle belonging to a former significant other. Hammond was terminated Aug. 3.
Plikas questioned how the activity continued for several months without being detected and asked who is responsible for auditing officers’ use of the system.
“I want some information put on the website so that the general public sees these cameras while they’re driving around and they go, ‘Who’s watching these? What’s the process for auditing these?’” Plikas said.
He asked the city to publish information explaining how the cameras are monitored, how frequently searches are reviewed and what safeguards are in place to prevent future misuse.
The council did not respond during the public-comment period, which city rules describe as an opportunity for council members to hear from residents rather than a question-and-answer session.
Resident Reports Encampment Near Townhomes
Neil Pate, a resident of the Layton Hall townhome community, asked the city to investigate what he described as a small homeless encampment on city-owned property near the neighborhood’s dog park and the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Pate said two or three tents had been present for several months. He expressed concerns about sanitation, safety and the possibility of the encampment growing.
He emphasized that he was not making assumptions about the people living there and acknowledged that homelessness is a complex issue.
“These are real people and they’re real circumstances,” Pate said. “But I think the city — we’re looking for help because we don’t know what to do.”
Pate asked officials to inspect the property for possible sanitation, safety or park violations. Merritt directed him to provide photographs and a map to city officials for follow-up with public safety officials.
Public Art Trail Selection Approved
Council unanimously selected Mauldin artist Melinda Hoffman to create the city’s 2027 Public Art Trail installation.
Hoffman’s piece, titled “A Gathering,” will cost no more than the budgeted $15,000. The amount covers the artist’s fee, travel, materials, installation and documentation.
City Seeks Grant for Sunset Park Sewer Improvements
Council also unanimously authorized city staff to apply for a South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Undiscovered South Carolina grant.
If awarded, the funding would help replace Sunset Park’s septic system with a sewer connection. Recreation Committee Chairman Frank Allgood said the improvement would support recreational opportunities at the park but noted that the grant is highly competitive.
Police Explorers Recognized
The meeting opened with recognition of the Mauldin Police Explorers following their performance at the Code Blue Explorer Competition in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Sergeant Sefcik, one of the officers who leads the Police Explorers program, presented the group’s accomplishments to the council.
The Mauldin team competed against more than 40 teams representing federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies. The Explorers placed first in both the domestic-violence and force-on-force categories.
Officials said the four-day trip also provided several participants with their first opportunity to travel outside South Carolina, visit Florida or see the ocean.
Forestry Commission Encourages Tree City Designation
A representative of the South Carolina Forestry Commission discussed urban forestry grants and encouraged Mauldin to apply for recognition as a Tree City USA community.
The representative said Mauldin already appears to meet several of the program’s requirements, including having tree-related ordinances, assigning responsibility for tree care and spending at least $2 per capita on tree-related services.
To complete the process, the city would also need to declare and hold an Arbor Day observance and document its existing tree-care work.
The Forestry Commission also offers grant-supported services such as tree-canopy mapping, environmental-benefit studies, tree-code reviews and planting plans.
Credit Union Celebrates 50 Years
Council presented a proclamation recognizing MTC Federal Credit Union’s 50th anniversary.
The proclamation highlighted the Mauldin-based credit union’s community service, charitable work and financial-education programs. It also recognized retiring CEO Bill Love and new CEO Kimberly Witt.
Witt said the credit union works with community organizations, senior citizens and local schools to provide education on budgeting, fraud prevention and financial management.
Roadwork and Referendum Outreach
In his monthly report, Assistant City Administrator Gregory Saxton said the South Carolina Department of Transportation had completed repairs and resurfacing on Miller Road between Murray Drive and Corn Road. Thermoplastic lane markings were still expected to be installed.
Saxton also said city staff members were preparing educational materials about a municipal referendum scheduled to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The referendum will ask voters whether Mauldin should impose a 1% sales tax for up to eight years. According to the city, the tax would apply to nonessential purchases and generate an estimated $19.6 million for infrastructure improvements, including street, drainage, curb and sidewalk projects and a new fire station. An estimated $4.9 million would be returned to qualifying owner-occupied homeowners through property-tax credits.
The city plans to distribute flyers and a mailer and provide information through community forums, online materials and social media. Residents can view the proposed project list, tax information, projected property-tax credits and other referendum details at cityofmauldin.org/municipal-tax-relief-act.
The city also welcomed several recently opened businesses, including Swig Drinks at 1534 Woodruff Road, Associates in Wellness at 2 B Owens Lane and Vitality Health Collaborative at 300 Regent Park.
