[Florence Developments]

Welcome to all the new posters and lurkers of this site.

Many areas of Florence need to be cleaned up, particularly the Evans/Dargan St. area. But I'd like to list a few other specific locations that are eyesores and need to be spruced up. This is in no way intended to humiliate any individuals or property owners, but to highlight glaringly run down/unmaintained properties in high traffic areas of town that have been so for years.

1. "Ruby's house" on the corner of Second Loop and Cashua. There have been rumors flying around for years why this high traffic corner lot has been allowed to go unmaintained. I actually know some people who applaud the owner for not giving in to the city/county and cleaning up her property.

2. The House of Louie on the corner of Irby and Palmetto is filthy and decrepit. The fact that it is on one of the busiest corners in the city and passed by many tourists makes it even worse.

3. The corner of E Pine and Galliard Streets. There are houses on all 4 corners, and three of them are abandoned, boarded up and havens for criminal activity. A few of these distinctive old homes were some of the nicest in town at one time.

4. The former Downtowner Motor Inn on the corner of Irby and Palmetto has been vacant for years and needs to be razed. There are other motels that are eyesores as well, including The Palmetto Inn on East Palmetto (abandoned) and the Magnolia Manor next to the Super Wal-Mart on Irby Street (trashy). Motel guests with no shirts/shoes can often be seen walking toward the latter with newly purchased six packs in hand. The Hilton it ain't.

5. The appliance shack on S. Cashua, which was mentioned in a previous posts.

6. Several unmaintained/abandoned homes on Marsh Avenue, a well travelled gateway street on the south side. True overgrown eyesores that help to bring down an otherwise nice neighborhood.

7. The unkept 2 story brick structure on the corner of Church and Palmetto streets, near the underpass. This rotting old home looks like it should be condemned before it falls down.

8. Several businesses on the tracts of islands near Coles Crossroads (Irby and Second Loop). These just look.....seedy. Hard to describe, but you know it when you see it.

Feel free to add any others that I may have missed, and there are many. Hopefully highlighting them in a public forum (which is now being read by some people with power to make a difference..i.e. Thom Anderson and the new Urban P & D Manager) will spur the owners to spruce up their properties.

My understanding is that the House of Louie is being demolished since they have relocated to near where I live in the Freedom Florence area. I have no way to confirm this, but I believe Walgreens is building on their former site.

As for Ruby's place, she is in the county so city ordinances do not apply to her. She purchased that property when it was considered a rural area. This is her homestead and she will fight change. Remember, she is 83 years old. I am in her family, and change will come in due time.

I can't speak on the other properties mentioned, but I agree with most of your comments, especially if it is abandoned property. As for the businesses mentioned, maybe they cannot afford to make their places more attractive. Maybe the county should offer some type of incentive to help them out.

[Florence Developments]

One idea for a Florence festival that I have always tossed around mentally was having a '50's Tribute Festival.

Use the various Drive-Ins in town to be the setting. The 301 Drive -In Downtown would be the central venue since it is DT, but spread out to include the SKyview and John's too. Encourage everyone to dress in the period and play 50's music. Have classic cars from the decade on display, have plays (Grease?)or lectures at the Poynor Auditorium (just across from the 301).

Florence's DRive-iNs are a unique relic from a by-gone era, why not celebrate it. It also promotes locally owned businesses. Set up a temporary "Drive-In" Theater as well and show classics from the 50's like 'High Noon'. You could include movies ABOUT the 50's too, like Porky's, although that is a little racey for Florence

Tie it into the McClenaghan alumni network. The city's last state football champs were from McClenaghan's teams from that decade. Have a dinner for the team members, while their are still some around.

The decade of the 50's is fondly remembered by those that lived it, (NO that isn't Me), and also idealized by a younger generation that grow up on "Happy Days" (that is me).

John's has been sold and is in the process of being torn down for a new Piggly Wiggly. 301 is under major renovation to fit the new theme of that area, but your idea is a good one!

[Florence Developments]

It's good to see a positive interest in the redevelopment of downtown Florence, which used to bussle. I am a native of the county of Florence (grew up in Johnsonville) and agree with all about beautifying downtown & making it more pedestrian friendly...I believe Florence is still the chief urban center of a large & 'mostly rural/agriculatural' area of eastern North and South Carolina & the city should have a beautiful, respectable & bussling business district.

I am researching for a nice place to stay in Florence when I revisit SC in the Fall and was wondering does anyone know anything about this place?

I am not familiar with that place but I will ask around for you.