The progress already made at the intersection of Russell Street and Magnolia is most fantastic. So as the project moves forward with government and bank financed funding, the adjacent properties still hinder what the railroad corner must have in order to be complete.
So what holds this project from moving forward ? 133 Boulevard, a set of rundown connected properties owned by one person. The building is listed as Payne Bail Bonds, one address for what appears to be three separate businesses not in operation.To be fair however many businesses today don’t use brick and mortar locations, only to have a listed address of the business. But being fair we also ask the question, what does this do for Orangeburg? What’s the real story behind this lack of action blocking Orangeburg from continued growth? The street committee says the owner is holding out for more money. Other sources say the appraised value is well below the owners asking price.At what point do the everyday citizens get involved to ask both the city and county if any action or negotiations are being conducted to work with the Payne organization? Yes, everyday citizen that care about the growth of this community and are not afraid to demand answers from those of us serving in elective office.Yes, demand! It’s the duty of concerned citizen to ask and have their questions answered. Perhaps the city, county and the Payne group can negotiate. And if all else fails, eminent domain is the last and perhaps worst-case is always available.Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, and intelligent informed individuals do what must be done for the good of everyone — and most importantly our children and future generations. Harvey Elwood Jr. of North, South Carolina is Executive Director at WOCS 93.7 FM “The People’s Station”