Mattress storein Jedburg, SC

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Located at the corner of Berlin Myers Parkway and Highway 78, a 57-acre multi-use property will bring new development to the Summerville area by early 2025.

The property, named Sawmill, will include 474 multi-family apartment units, offices, restaurants, hotels, stores, banks, outdoor spaces and a 40,000-square-foot Roper St. Francis facility.

Summerville spokesperson Mary Edwards said the task to get the development started was a long process.

“It’s something that people have been wanting for a long time, and council has really supported the developers, too. It’s a big deal for us; I mean, it’s a new big development that’s coming to our area,” Edwards said. “It’s something that’s needed. It’s something that the public has really wanted.”

The developers, Lee & Associates, said in a news release that “a new walkable community designed to better connect residents with the fun they want and services they need will be anchored by a major healthcare system.”

Although not everyone in the area is excited about the new development. Some members of the Summerville community shared their concerns on a Facebook post with over 400 comments mentioning traffic problems, school enrollment and housing availability.

Located near the development, the Spinx gas station may see increased traffic with the upcoming construction. Employee Rona Emons, shared her concerns.

“I don’t think we can really handle it because this road is already always backed up; it’s already hard to get in and out of the store,” she said. “I think that’s going to make it a lot worse unless they try to widen the road somehow, which I don’t know how they can do that. But yeah, it’s going to cause a lot of congestion in this area.”

In response to the concerns, Edwards said the city and developers studied research before deciding if the project was appropriate for the area.

“The town is growing really fast,” Edwards said. “So, we know that people want to come here, and they want to experience the area. We want to be able to provide these types of options for people when they come.”

Construction on the health care facility and multi-family apartment units will begin in early 2023.

“I’m kind of excited,” Emons said. “I’d like to get out. You know, it’d be nice to see something new in this area. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it in some ways, and otherwise, I’m kind of a little leery of it.”

Overall, the project is expected to cost $200 million.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Berkeley County unanimously voted not to lift the building moratorium along Jedburg Road.

BERKELEY, S.C. (WCSC) - Berkeley County unanimously voted not to lift the building moratorium along Jedburg Road. What would have been 465 new homes in this area will stay as rural land just like the residents say they wanted.

Dozens of people that live on Jedburg Road clapped after the Berkeley County committee on land use announced their vote. It’s evident that the once frustrated neighbors no longer feel like they have to fight against development.

Since the beginning of summer, people who live along Jedburg Road have been against Pulte Homes’ original plan of building 465 homes on 227 acres with a possible new school. Even after Pulte gave a new plan of reducing the number of homes, residents were still concerned about how it could cause an increase in traffic, flooding and overall security.

After Monday’s vote, their feelings changed.

“We are delighted,” Bill Shelton, who lives on Jedburg Road, said. “And we feel like Berkeley County is making progress to realize, yes, we need jobs. And we’re not against people developing their land, but not when they’re doing things to people and not for the community.”

Shelton presented a 21-page document to council prior to Monday’s meeting. This document included a Q&A showing 54 people who lived here unanimously voted they wanted to keep the moratorium, summaries of all the community meetings and dozens of signatures.

Phillip Obie II, Berkeley County councilmember District 3, says the council felt like Pulte Homes’ plan did not reflect the community’s needs.

“It’s a lot of larger lot sizes and that potential development would have a lot of smaller houses on smaller lots,” Obie said. “To protect the integrity of that community and keep those lot sizes larger. That’s one of the reasons, I think, why council voted to deny lifting the moratorium tonight.”

Obie says any developer, including Pulte Homes, can apply with a new design that is different from the one proposed tonight to try and lift this moratorium again. He says this can happen at any time moving forward.

Shelton says this process has strengthened his community.

“This has brought us together,” Shelton said. “We know our friends better now and we’re going to enjoy that and we’re going to be vigilant to make sure that we have to keep what we cherish.”

Throughout this process, Pulte Homes has declined to give a comment. For now, the building moratorium will remain in effect on Jedburg Road.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Pulse Construction Project News

Planning

KANSAS

Integra Technologies Inc. is planning to build a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Wichita. The 1-million-sq-ft building will be constructed at a site yet to be determined. Integra has been approved as the recipient of Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) incentives, paving the way for the company to apply to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce for CHIPS and Science Act funding. The project’s cost, including installed equipment, is $1.8 billion. Integra Technologies Inc., 3450 N. Rock Road, Wichita, 67226. DR#23-00042562.

LOUISIANA

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is planning to carry out the Island Road Marsh Creation and Nourishment Project in Terrebonne Parish. The project involves restoring marsh adjacent to the Twin Pipelines and parallel to Isle de Jean Charles. The work includes rebuilding the structural framework of degraded marsh near the Twin Pipelines and restoring resilient habitat by marsh creation and nourishment, which will create 229 acres of marsh, nourish 66 acres of existing marsh and result in approximately 206 net marsh acres after 20 years. Sediment would be mined from Lake Tambour and pumped into three confined disposal cells. Dikes would be gapped prior to demobilization for dewatering and additionally, no later than three years after construction, for tidal function. The project is valued at $40.4 million. Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, 150 Terrace Ave., Baton Rouge, 70802. DR#15-00407634.

SOUTH DAKOTA

The South Dakota Bureau of Administration is planning to build a 73,000-sq-ft addition to the existing state health lab in Pierre. The project, which includes renovating the existing facility, is being designed by HDR Engineering Inc. The project is valued at $53 million. South Dakota Bureau of Administration, 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, 57501. DR#21-00616797.

WEST VIRGINIA

JJR Development LLC and MCZ Development LLC are planning to build the Spring Street Apartments in Charleston. The six-story, 85,400-sq-ft building will contain 134 micro apartments, a fitness center and 45 parking spaces. It is being designed by 2RZ Inc. The project is valued at between $10 million and $15 million. JJR Development LLC, 42 Broad St., Charleston, S.C., 29401. DR#23-00023205.

WYOMING

rPlus Energies LLC is planning to construct the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project in Carbon County. The project entails constructing a new upper reservoir in the Bennett Mountains 1.7 miles east of the existing Seminoe Dam and Reservoir. The work will also include digging tunnels linking the two reservoirs, and building an underground powerhouse and a 30-mile-long transmission line connecting the project with PacifiCorp’s existing Aeolus Substation, near Medicine Bow. Construction is expected to start in October 2026. The project is valued at $2.5 billion. rPlus Energies LLC, 201 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111.

DR#23-00030313.

Bids, Contracts, Proposals

HAWAII

Blazey Construction has started carrying out an improvement project to the War Memorial Gym Building in Kahului. The work involves replacing jalousies and damaged doors and windows throughout the gym; repairing building structural elements and exterior finish; coating of roof surfaces; upgrading of building electrical and visual fire alarm systems; accessibility improvements to restrooms, locker rooms and doorways; HVAC improvements to meet current code requirements; and repairing and replacing gym wood flooring. The project was designed by Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects Ltd. The contract award is $24.5 million. Blazey Construction, 121 Piliwale Road, Kula, 96790. DR#19-00737171.

SOUTH CAROLINA

1Banks Construction Co. has started carrying out an Interstate 26 widening project in Berkeley County. The project entails widening I-26 to three lanes each way on a seven-mile stretch between Jedburg Road and State Route 27. The contract award was $180 million. Banks Construction Co., 4902 Banco Road, North Charleston, 29418. DR#20-00774742.

Bid, Proposal Dates

CALIFORNIA

2/28 The Alameda County Transportation Commission is seeking bidders to carry out grade separation improvements to Seventh Street in Oakland. The work involves reconstructing the existing substandard railroad underpass on 7th Street between Interstate 880 and Maritime Street, to increase clearance for trucks, and meet current geometric and seismic standards. It will include deep soil mixing walls and hold-down piles. Construction is expected to start in April 2023 and be completed by December 2026. The project is valued at $283 million. Alameda County Transportation Commission, 1111 Broadway, Oakland, 94607. DR#19-00581063.

NEW JERSEY

3/14 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is seeking bidders to carry out the rehabilitation of the Hoboken PATH Station. The work entails replacing station floor tiles, ADA tactile and rubbing board, stairs and railings, stair treads, flood-resistant doors, station drainage pipe, LED light fixtures and associated conduits, cables and panels; repair of platform edge; and repair and painting of damaged track wall and exposed concrete ceiling. The project is valued at between $20 million and $30 million. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 4 World Trade Center, New York City, 10007. DR#23-00040928.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – KION North America, a member of the KION Group, today announced plans to expand operations in Dorchester County. The company’s estimated $40 million investment will create approximately 450 new jobs.

KION North America is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial trucks. The company’s brands, Linde Material Handling and Baoli, serve the specific requirements of the North American market with a comprehensive and complementary product portfolio known for innovative technologies, low energy consumption and low operating costs.

Headquartered at 2450 W. 5th Street in Summerville, KION North America is reshoring the manufacturing of core components including forklift masts. The company is also adding assembly lines that will involve the installation of crane systems, automated weld systems, new paint facilities and more.

The expansion is expected to be complete in 2024. Individuals interested in joining the KION North America team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also approved a $500,000 Set-Aside grant to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

QUOTES

“We are proud to be investing in South Carolina, particularly in Dorchester County. Both the state and county have been excellent partners in this process. The KION Group is highly committed to expanding in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and believes customers deserve products customized for these markets. We look forward to reaching more customers with our full-scale traditional lift truck portfolio and custom solutions such as automation, telematics and fleet management.” -KION North America President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Dawley

“Thanks to our state’s exceptional workforce and business-friendly environment, global leaders like KION Group are finding success here and driving our economy forward. Congratulations to KION North America on this latest expansion.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We applaud KION North America’s ongoing growth in Dorchester County and the new opportunities they are creating for South Carolinians with this expansion. When a company decides to grow its footprint in South Carolina, it reiterates our state’s support for existing industries.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“KION North America has been a valued part of Dorchester County, and we are thankful for their continued presence and new investment in our comunity. Congratulations KION North America on your new expansion, and we wish you continued success.” -Dorchester County Council Chairman Bill Hearn

FIVE FAST FACTS

A German company that makes cable and wiring harnesses for the automotive and other industries is opening its first North American manufacturing site in Summerville.

Engeser USA Corp.’s $1.5 million investment in a building at 115 Fabricators Street is expected to create 26 jobs, with operations to be online by September.

“By producing locally in the USA, we can offer our partners the added value of reduced logistics costs and greater delivery flexibility,” Steffen Engeser, the company’s managing partner, told the Schwarzwalder Bote newspaper in Germany’s Black Forest region.

The family-owned company’s headquarters are in Schramberg, Germany.

Engeser told the newspaper the company decided to open a North American site to meet growing demand from European customers with U.S. locations. The Summerville site is near the Mercedes-Benz Vans and Volvo Cars manufacturing campuses in the Lowcountry as well as numerous German businesses that have set up operations throughout South Carolina.

“They join an established group of German companies who are thriving here ... (and) will be a tremendous asset to our growing automotive cluster,” Mike Fuller, chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, said in a written statement.

Engeser also cited Summerville’s proximity to the Port of Charleston as a key reason for selecting the site.

The company, founded in 1983, recently has expanded its customer base to include the solar energy, construction and rail transportation industries, something Engeser told Schwarzwalder Bote is necessary to help overcome slowdowns in global automotive manufacturing.

Engeser has also made technology investments in its headquarters factory overseas, including robotic workstations and automated warehouse features. The company, which employs more than 600 people overseas, also operates factories in Romania and the Czech Republic.

The S.C. Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $75,000 grant to Dorchester County to help Engeser pay for infrastructure costs at the site.

Canadian apparel giant Gildan Activewear Inc. has sold its longtime Charleston import and distribution center near Daniel Island but will remain in the mammoth building under a lease agreement with the new owners.

The $51 million sale of the 603,000-square-foot structure on nearly 81 acres to a joint venture between Edgewater Ventures and Singerman Real Estate closed March 15, according to Berkeley County land records.

It’s Edgewater’s first acquisition in the Lowcountry, according to partner Chris Norvell. He said the Raleigh-based firm is “incredibly bullish on the Charleston industrial market and the long-term growth potential” of the port, which operates its busiest terminal less than 10 miles away from the Gildan property.

“This will be our first, but not last, acquisition in the market and we look forward to adding additional industrial assets and development opportunities throughout the region,” Norvell said.

Edgewater plans to carve out about 21 acres of the Gildan site at 1980 Clements Ferry Road, about four miles from U.S. Interstate 526, to develop a 300,000-square-foot structure suitable for distribution companies or manufacturers.

“It could be for either,” Norvell said Wednesday.

The Raleigh company’s joint venture partner in the deal is from Chicago but has been an active investor in South Carolina. Singerman Real Estate’s holdings include portions of Citadel Mall in West Ashley. The firm also was an early investor in the Charleston Trade Center near Summerville.

Edgewater’s portfolio includes about 3.6 million square feet of industrial real estate, mostly in its home state. In South Carolina, the company recently broke ground on a 720,000-square-foot distribution center for Pepsi Bottling Ventures in North Myrtle Beach.

Norvell said his company been looking for a way to expand into the scorching Lowcountry industrial market for about nine months.

“I think Charleston is really getting its legs under it now,” he said.

Norvell added that the Gildan property “is a great piece of real estate” in an “irreplaceable location.”

“It was good opportunity for us to get our feet wet in the market,” he said.

Known for its namesake T-shirts and Goldtoe socks brand, Gildan reported global sales $3.2 billion for 2022, up nearly 11 percent from the prior year.

The Montreal-based company paid $20 million for its Clements Ferry Road distribution hub at a bankruptcy auction in November 2009 to handle imported goods from Central America and the Caribbean basin. The site also houses a regional office.

The new owners have agreed “to lease it back to us for many years,” spokeswoman Genevieve Gosselin said Wednesday.

“This transaction is allowing Gildan to monetize the value of our property and reinvest it in other areas of our business, while continuing our operations with no changes to the current operations,” she said in a written statement. “This decision is solely a financial transaction and there will be no impact on our operations and employees in Charleston.”

Edgewater said the terms of the lease deal are confidential.