“What are the residents saying?” Comments on the Woodruff, SC Hwy 14, rezoning (from Facebook). And If you’re just joining – Not coming from the newsletter – Read from the break.
– None of them obviously deal with or live by this intersection, all about greed. Does this make 9 grocery stores in 2 mile stretch? Ridiculous! - Robin Beatty Oliver, Facebook
– Why a supermarket? What we really need at that location is a Mattress Firm. There aren’t enough of them within a thirty second drive. - Stephen Harclerode, Facebook
– Great! A school across from Southside Christian means the traffic in the morning will really be impossible. Woodruff Rd is so packed now that even though it’s the most convenient area for me to shop I drive further to avoid the traffic. - Kim Smith, Facebook
– My heart hurts for so many that have loved ones that have been laid to rest at Graceland East. This is sacred ground and should have been preserved as such. - Cynthia Lucking - Facebook
– We lived right by that intersection for 10 years and would have loved to walk to more retail space/grocery stores. But we moved downtown to get our ‘urban’ feel and to get away from the crazy traffic back up on Woodruff. - Jennifer Sutton, Facebook
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More than 130,000 (twice the population inside city limits) residents with an average household income of $100,000 live within a 5-mile radius around the intersection of Woodruff Road and S.C. HWY 14 in Simpsonville.
Soon, Sprouts Market, a new building for Southside Christian School, and two other tenants will be built on the corner (of Woodruff + S.C. HWY 14)after County Council voted to rezone the area to a commercial site. The more than 10 acres near Graceland Memorial Park will be named Trinity Park, according to Neil Wilson, the developer.
As you might imagine, the decision isn’t black and white. The fight to rezone this land has been ongoing for over 25 years. At least five times since 1991, developers have tried to rezone the site with no success. Until now.
The development plan includes:
🛒 6,000 square feet of retail + office space plus 30,000 square feet for Sprouts Market
🎒 22,000 square feet for Southside Christian School (across the street). An early childhood center for 250 students will likely be created, according to their superintendent.
🚘 255 parking spaces
🌳 According to the current plan, Graceland Memorial Park (which does have grave sites) will be kept intact. The development would be on its west side.
In County Council meetings + on social media, neighbors and residents have voiced their concerns surrounding traffic, the proximity to the memorial park, and other grocery stores in the area.
8️⃣Publix, Big Lots!, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, CostCo, Super BiLo, WalMart and Trader Joes are all within a five-mile radius
🚦 Over 89,500 vehicles per day travel I-385 daily, less than 2 miles away
🚦 Over 35,400 vehicles per day drive on Woodruff Rd (and y’all know Woodruff traffic.)
However, supporters credit the developer, who has buffer space with Graceland Memorial Park in order to protect the cemetery, and Southside Christian supports the development, which gives them extra classroom space.
