Downtown revitalization program begins in Sumter

September 21, 2011

SUMTER, SC (WIS) - New restaurants and businesses are expected to breathe new life into downtown Sumter.

Construction in downtown Sumter is already underway. The phase will be complete in December, but the entire project will take years.

Orange cones and construction crews line part of Sumter’s Liberty Street. This will soon become a more familiar sight as the Downtown Revitalization Project continues.

“Right now the sidewalks are in awful condition, so we wanted to go in there with a plan to beautify the area, encourage new businesses and support existing business,” said Julie Coker.

So far, the plan has worked. Several businesses and restaurants have recently made a home in downtown Sumter, including the Hamptons, an upscale restaurant with a chef trained in Italy.

“When I first moved down here, there was not much going on down here at all,” said Hamptons restaurant owner Danielle Thompson.

Now 20 years after her move, Thompson says a lot has changed and she likes it. “It is total synergy,” she said. “The better the downtown does, the better this restaurant does.”

The idea behind the revitalization is to make downtown Sumter a destination location, a place for people to work, eat and live. “As time progresses, we want to progress along with it,” said Coker.

That progress includes a $20 million judicial center. Although not specifically part of the downtown revitalization, it is still expected to make a difference in the look of the Gamecock City.

All of the additions are thanks to the countywide sales tax approved in 2008. “We have intersections, we have parking lots, parks, green space,” said Coker.

Changes will happen gradually, with no end in sight. “I think we are going to always evolve into another project,” said Coker. “We’re going to continue to look at what we can to this area.”

There will be construction on other intersections, but that won’t begin until next year.

Link: http://www.wistv.com/story/15464930/downtown-revitalization-program-begins-in-sumter#.TnpfEcoBd5w.facebook