Sewer Rehab Project in Mathews Mill Community Has Been Completed; Other Current CDBG Projects in Final Phases of Construction

One of several current Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects has been completed with a second phase of sewer line replacements in the Mathews Mill community in Greenwood County.

The Upper Savannah COG’s Community Development staff applies for and submits the grant applications to the S.C. Department of Commerce on behalf of local governments and entities.

Greenwood County received $1,600,000 in CDBG funds in August 2022 to continue sewer improvements in the Mathews Mill area, with Greenwood Metropolitan District (GMD) providing $1,503,399. The total project cost was estimated to be $3,103,399.

The project will benefit approximately 303 people. Project construction has been completed. Closeout monitoring was held June 3.

The Matthews Mill II Sewer Project was a second phase for the area, this phase involving installation of approximately 825 feet of 12-inch and 5,200 feet of eight-inch gravity sewer line, 23 new precast concrete manholes, and the reconnection of 109 structures to these new lines.

Construction took place on Georgia Street, Bolt Avenue, Bond Avenue, Stevens Avenue, and Cross Street in the Mathews Mill community.

GMD Director of Communications and Governmental Relations Tony Williamson said the sewer lines serving Mathews Mill village residents were between 80 and 100 years old.

“It was vitrified clay pipe and it greatly exceeded its useful life,” Williamson explained. “There was a joint every four feet and the materials that were used 100 years ago to seal the joints have long since deteriorated.

“It allowed (tree) roots, ground water, all of that to get into the pipes. As the small roots got into the pipes, they grew and created cracks in the pipes. Once those roots get in there, grease will adhere to them and that’s the beginning of a blockage.”

The old lines were replaced from behind the mill houses and moved nearer to the streets.

“Those sewer lines were behind the houses, so it was a maintenance issue for us,” Williamson said. “As the neighborhood had matured through the years, trees had grown in, and residents had put up structures that limited our access for us to properly maintain the lines.

“By moving the lines down in front of the houses, we have much better access.”

The first phase of Mathews Mill sewer line improvements was completed in July 2024, taking place on Florida Avenue, Truett Avenue, Holloway Avenue, Grier Street, Kirksey Drive West, and Palmer Street. A total of 423 people benefited from the project.

Another sewer line improvement project is near completion in the Booker T. Washington neighborhood in the City of Greenwood, including Central Avenue, North Hospital Street, Brewer Avenue, and New Street. The $840,000 CDBG project will benefit approximately 56 units, occupied by an estimated 119 persons.

Other CDBG projects in late phases of completion include Town of McCormick N. Main/Augusta Street streetscape, Town of Saluda N. Main/W. Church Street streetscape, and City of Greenwood Waller Avenue streetscape.

Other ongoing projects include Town of Ridge Spring Sewer Rehab, Laurens County Clinton-Joanna Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Phase II, Saluda County Library Improvements, Greenwood County DSS Building Improvements, and City of Abbeville Chestnut Street Park improvements.