ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The $21 million Railroad Corner project in Orangeburg is now underway after a groundbreaking Wednesday.
The complex will have housing for 124 South Carolina State University students, office and commercial space, restaurants such as a chicken shop, an ice cream shop and more.
State representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter says affordable housing is important in Orangeburg.
“HBCUs across the country are experiencing growth spurts and what we know is that South Carolina State, Claflin, Denmark Tech they are all just booming. We need some place to put them and the bottom line is not just student housing," said Cobb-Hunter. "But Orangeburg is really positioning itself on the map so we need affordable housing for workers, for people who are going to be working at the universities who are going to be working in downtown or working for local government.”
Orangeburg City administrator Sidney Evering says growth in Orangeburg will attract businesses.
“This is just a part of the revitalization of Orangeburg, the new Orangeburg," said Evering. "And we look forward to new growth and development and just any business or industry that’s looking for a new place to locate Orangeburg is your place.”
Cecil Williams is a Civil Rights era photographer.
Williams will be moving his civil rights museum to the new Railroad Corner.
Pyramid Contracting will be the general contractor for that aspect of the project. Williams says this joint effort will benefit Orangeburg.
'Orangeburg is really enthusiastic about what's going to happen what is happening today this is just a start. We have not only the city but also the county working with us it’s a joint venture between federal state and other kinds of funds to make it all happen," said Williams. "So we are very proud that we have reached this point and we cant wait until things happen even greater.”
James McQuilla is the president of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. He says this Railroad Corner will be the heart of downtown Orangeburg.
“Russell Street or the main street in Orangeburg is where Railroad Coroner will begin. It is the corridor, the opening to that corridor for all the things that are going to take place afterwards. It is one of the longest main streets in South Carolina so there is not just potential but there are plans for other businesses to be built there.”
In a later phase, there will be additional housing for Claflin University students, extra commercial space and faculty housing.
The city is expecting the Railroad Corner to be completed by the summer of 2025.