Business View Civil and Municipal | May 2021

70 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MAY 2021 aossc.org 1 2 2 4 T W O N O T C H R O A D L E X I N G T O N , S C 2 9 0 7 3 8 0 3 - 7 9 8 - 6 8 3 1 Enhancing the work places and play places of the communities we serve. Elise Partin shares, “We’re doing ‘previtalization.’ It’s about helping people to see what’s possible. Originally, we asked owners to clean out their vacant buildings and we threw one heck of a street party – music, food, drink – and we hosted artists. When people went in to see the art, they also saw the buildings and their potential.” The city then purchased a property in the same area that had a rundown home, a high crime rate, and detracted from the whole street. They demolished the building and instantly saw investment in that corridor. After receiving a Connected Communities grant for the property, they developed a fabulous creative space called the “Art Lot.” Putting arts and culture as a priority, the City of Cayce now has a dedicated River Arts District taking pride of place in the downtown core, with a half-dozen murals, public art installations, and new businesses popping up – preparing to welcome visitors back post-COVID.