Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – For some time, the County of Lexington has been exploring the relocation of its River Chase Way Recycling and Solid Waste Collection Center. The center, which is now located near Sunset Boulevard and I-20 beside the SCDOT Park and Ride facility and across the road from the Corley Mill Fire Station, is in an area that has become increasingly congested over the years.
The existing facility has been in operation since 1992 and is located on one-half acre of property. It is there through an agreement with the SCDOT who operates the Park and Ride carpooling area. The current facility sees an average number of about 800 cars serviced each day who drop off solid waste and recyclables for residents of the surrounding areas.
The county has already agreed to participate in a new TIF district for the area to help the town of Lexington with projects intended to relieve traffic congestion where River Chase Way, Corley Mill Roads, Sunset Boulevard, Ginny Lane, and I-20 come together. Moving the busy center could also have a positive impact on the amount of traffic that fills that area during certain busy times.
Lexington County Council Chairman Todd Cullum pointed out a number of months ago that the county had been quietly exploring the option of relocating the center for some time. They had not announced publicly any plans for fear that property owners in the area with parcels that fit the needs of the county for a new center would dramatically increase their asking prices when they discovered that the county was looking to buy.
Now that it appears as if the county is close to finalizing their plans to relocate, they have released a timeline for the total project. In all, it is expected to take an estimated 19 months before completion of the construction of a new site and the total relocation of the center.
Currently, a proposed new project site is under contract. This is pending a 45 day due-diligence period, which includes environmental assessment, survey and plat, wetland assessment, DOT encroachment approval, and any other issues. If all goes as planned, Lexington County will close on or finalize the purchase of the new property in July of this year.
By November of this year, they expect to have completed the design and permitting phases of the project. After the design is completed and an engineer’s drawings are in hand, the bidding and the awarding of the project’s construction is expected to take from November of 2017 to February of 2018.
The clearing and construction on the new facility, as well as the purchase and installation of the new equipment for it, should last from March of 2018 through January of 2019. If all goes as planned, the new facility should be operational and ready for the public to use in January or February of 2019.
As with any project, things can change dependent upon unforeseen circumstances. Issues like undiscovered stone, inclement weather, and other acts of God may play a part in the progress. County officials certainly hope that no stumbling blocks arise; but as most know who have ever developed anything of any size, they can.
We will update this story as Lexington County releases more information regarding the exact location of the new site. We will also try to keep you informed about the progress and process as the whole project goes forward.
