july2017

114 115 PREFERRED VENDOR n Duggan & Hughes www.dugganhughes.com A full-service law firm in Greer, South Caro- lina, Duggan & Hughes’ practice areas include: State and Federal Civil Trial Practice, Social Security Disability, Personal Injury, Estate Planning and Probate, Workers Compensation, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, State and Federal Court Appeals, Corporate Law, and Government/Municipal Law. MAULDIN, SOUTH CAROLINA have an 18,000-square-foot Class A office com- plex coming in that will house a governmental entity. It will bring a major impact to the rede- velopment of that area. City Center is going to change our downtown as well.” MATNEY: “Mauldin never really had a down- town.Where other cities are trying to reinvent, rehabilitate, reimagine their existing downtowns, Mauldin is looking at it from a blank canvas standpoint; to understand what’s needed, and work with developers to create a City Center that meets those needs.Mixed use–that liveable, walkable, shop/dine hangout place where you want to come, be with your family, and spend your time and money.” EUBANKS: “We have had a recycling program in effect for over a decade.To reinvigorate that program, six or seven years ago the city encour- aged residents to exchange their old 20-gallon recycling bin with a 60-gallon, rollout recycling container, provided at no cost.We saw a tremen- dous response to that because it was free.We now have a vigorous recycling programwith partic- ipation in the 30s to low 40s, slightly above our state’s percentage rate. “We’re in the process of creating an urban vil- lage district,working some sustainable features into that zoning plan.Our downtown, as well as a couple other areas, is going to be very viable for an urban village zoning classification that will direct and provide flexibility for future develop- ment. Current codes require developments to have public park areas. One of the better things Mauldin has done over the years is provide for green spaces in the community. “The City of Mauldin lighting ordinance is one of the most effective in Greenville County at restricting light pollution.Also, our stormwater requirements are some of the most robust in Greenville County.We want tomake sure as we continue to grow,we plan appropriately for stormwater issues.There are areas for infill development.Some have not been developed because of topographyor other challenges,and as we continue to update and amend our ordinance,wewant to plan properly and facilitate that happening. “We also have a handful of areas where we are working on annexation with residential, as well as business and commercial use. South Carolina’s annexation laws make that a challenge, and I wish that were different because municipalities are economic drivers for our state. It’s important that it becomes easier for us to grow to our natu- ral boundaries more than current laws allow.” BROAD: “Mauldin has tremendous redevel- opment opportunities for others who have that entrepreneurial spirit.The city,through its foundation and development work,has set itself up to helpmake businesses that come here,successful.So,if you’re hun- gryand looking for an opportunity,Mauldin is it. “We have the Best Median Household Income and Best Disposable Income in the Upstate.We are the fourth Smartest City in the state.We’ve gotten all these accolades the past three years running.Our demographics are off the chart.We leak 30 to 40 million dollars in retail potential out of Mauldin to other areas–hotels, hospitality–the opportunity here is crazy good, and everything is growing this way.”