also currently either in construction or have been completed,” Blondeau says of infrastructure projects. He details two major wastewater facilities: “We just finished a $16 million upgrade to the Cochran Road plant, which now has plenty of capacity for the end of town that it serves.” The larger investment involves the PendletonClemson plant, where construction progresses on a $60 million expansion. “We’re going to go from 2 million gallons a day to 5 million gallons a day. Our investment in the expansion is $21.5 million. That’s going to have us prepared to handle growth for years to come.” employees,” Blondeau notes. “My experience with the school district has been very positive. Workforce development is where I think they’re tops.” BALANCING HOUSING GROWTH AND AFFORDABILITY Clemson faces the same housing crisis gripping college towns nationwide, but with prices that would make even Silicon Valley residents pause.“We are absolutely facing those challenges,” Blondeau acknowledges.“I believe the average home price in Clemson is now half a million dollars. The type of housing that is being built is in that market range because there is such a high market for it that the people moving into the area are able to afford those types of homes or even more expensive.” Real estate has become Clemson’s gold rush, with investors capitalizing on demand from affluent newcomers while longtime residents struggle to find affordable options. “We’re excited to announce that we do have Mercy Housing coming in and doing a pretty significant affordable housing development right off of Highway 93,” Blondeau says. “I know it’s going to be a mixture of types of units. One bedroom, two-bedroom, three bedrooms.” Downtown housing follows a distinct pattern.“What we have is our more longer-term housing that was older, more original or historic single-family neighborhoods right adjacent off of College Avenue on both sides of the road,” Blondeau explains.“What you have along College Avenue itself is the highdensity mixed-use student housing.The further away you get from College Avenue, the more residential it becomes. We’re trying to keep that in that downtown area so that it’s very walkable to campus.” INFRASTRUCTURE AND RECREATION RENAISSANCE Clemson’s infrastructure investments reveal a city preparing for significant growth while enhancing current residents’ quality of life. With $76 million committed to wastewater treatment alone, the city demonstrates fiscal discipline rare among municipalities its size. “Not only have we earmarked them, but they are Photo Credit: Ken Scar 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 CLEMSON, SC
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