in the pipeline to be constructed,” Tilton notes, underscoring the city’s robust housing market. Aiken’s lower cost of living and high quality of life fueled the influx of new residents. In response to the housing and commercial demands, the ongoing redevelopment of malls into multiuse developments is notable. “Availability at the moment is tight. Homes do not stay on the market very long here,” Tilton states. “We’re witnessing the transformation of the former Aiken mall site into multi-use developments that include multi-family housing, restaurants, and retail spaces.” BUILDING THE FOR THE FUTURE Aiken’s relationship with the Savannah River Site extends to educational and workforce development initiatives. The city received a $20 million appropriation from the State of South Carolina to construct a mixed-use building downtown, housing the Savannah River National Lab. “This will bring many new employees downtown with an average salary well above our median,” Bedenbaugh explains, underscoring the project’s potential to enhance the local economy. The consortium with major universities such as the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, South Carolina State University, University of Georgia, and Georgia Tech further strengthens Aiken’s educational and workforce development landscape. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Aiken prides itself on its environmental efforts. The city has been a Tree City USA since the mid-1980s and partners with the Aiken Land Conservancy on projects like Aiken Streetscapes, which focuses on urban forest conservation. “City staff planted over 200 trees last year.As a city we also take pride in our renowned oak arboretum started by a local nursery called Woodlanders,” Tilton shares. The city also recently placed 2,500 acres around its reservoir and Shaw’s Creek in a conservation easement, ensuring the preservation of this natural oasis. “We received a $1.9 million grant from the South Carolina Conservation Bank to preserve this property in perpetuity,” Bedenbaugh mentions, highlighting the city’s commitment to sustainability. Tilton adds, “Another environmentally sensitive element about Aiken’s downtown is its many parkways. Our downtown grid is divided by streets with wooded medians, giving our downtown a unique feel.” Hitchcock Woods, Aiken’s expansive urban forest, is a an additional greenspace that is over twice the size of New York City’s Central Park, adjacent to Aiken’s downtown and several residential neighborhoods. This privately owned, but publicly accessible forest, provides trails, surrounded by wellmanaged native longleaf pine forests, for equestrians, hikers, and runners. CULTURAL VITALITY Aiken’s downtown area is a vibrant mix of independent 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 AIKEN, SC
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