Business View Civil and Municipal | May 2021

65 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MAY 2021 quality of life; maintaining that small town charm while growing wisely. For example, a $30 million water line upgrade, replacing almost 75 percent of in-city water infrastructure, was a major undertaking – but necessary to rectify the brown water issues, lack of pressure, and water line breaks that were both costly and disruptive. Thanks to strong financial planning and clever design work, the city was able to overhaul a major infrastructure source in just two years. The project took place in seven different areas, done concurrently. A large focus was put on community involvement; making sure citizens were kept up to date on what was happening, even though it was technical, engineering, construction-related work. That kind of collaboration continues to be Cayce’s strong suit. The Knox Abbott project was another major initiative that has changed the face of the city. Anyone heading from the airport into downtown CAYCE , SOUTH CAROL INA Columbia, to the State House or University of South Carolina, likely enters on Knox Abbott. The roadway sees high traffic count, and didn’t have enough buffers between pedestrians and the cars. So the city did a comprehensive plan: closing some driveways, putting sidewalks farther away from the road, moving all the power lines to one side of the road and raising them. Trees were planted, electrical conduits were installed, and all the communication lines were buried – improving the look of that area and also making it safer. With a total price tag of $8.5 million, the project has been deemed “well worth it.” Those two significant investments have gone a long way towards revitalization of the community. Businesses along the Knox Abbott corridor are thrilled with the improved aesthetics and are reaping the benefits. Property values have risen and development is