City Approves Use of Funds for Northside Makeover

One Easley neighborhood is about to get a new look thanks to the efforts of a group of residents and the city of Easley.

The city approved a resolution Monday night that would make it possible for the city to use funds from the Tax Income Finance budget to make improvements outside of the TIF district.

The residents of the Northside neighborhood requested the city use a portion of its TIF budget to spruce up the corner of North B Street and North East Main Street. 

Lucas Durham, a member of the neighborhood committee that has been working with city officials to spearhead the project said North B Street is the entry point to the Northside neighborhood and residents want the lot to be a more welcoming green space.

The lot is currently a vacant lot owned by the city but falls outside of the TIF district. TIF money is typically only allocated for improvement projects in the downtown area, unless the project is found to be beneficial to downtown. City council decided Monday night that this project would benefit the downtown area.

The neighborhood committee pledged to raise a portion of the money it was requesting in order to complete the project.

"They raised $5,300 and their goal was $5,000," City Administrator Fox Simons said. "The (TIF) committee has agreed to contribute $20,000."

The lot will be converted into a landscaped green space with trees, flowers and shrubs. The funds will also be used to purchase a new sign designating the entrance to the Northside neighborhood.

Councilman David Watson was the only council member to vote against the resolution after voicing concerns about some of the expenditures in the proposal like the new sign.

It has not yet been determined when the work will begin on the Northside neighborhood project, but officials expect it will begin soon.