25-03-2025
Aiken's mixed-use development faces questions, but city leaders stay confident
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — A major downtown Aiken project once seen as a game-changer now faces big questions. The multi-million-dollar mixed-use development here was expected to house the Savannah River National Lab.
But even with budget cuts raising concerns about the project's future, city leaders say it's still on track.
'I do believe that we would not have embarked on this if we were not going to see it ultimately fulfilled,' Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said.
The $20 million project, funded by the Plutonium Settlement, was initially planned for the old Project Pascalis site — to provide space for SRNL to lease. By mid-2023, plans shifted to a three-story, 36,000-square-foot building on Newberry Street.
'Potentially the Savannah River National Lab. USC Aiken will have a permanent presence with dedicated space on the ground floor. There will also be large exhibition space and Class A office space on the upper floors,' he added.
Funding was secured two years ago, an architect was selected, and the design approved. But the lease with SRNL is still pending. 'We had to get all the construction ducks in a row. I'm confident it's going to happen,' Bedenbaugh shared.
The Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency is cutting leases, impacting the Savannah River Site. SRNL missed the January 2025 groundbreaking, and its logo is missing from the signage. 'Since the lease hasn't been finalized, we didn't want to put the cart before the horse,' he added.
We asked if the City would work with universities if the SRNL lease isn't approved. 'I don't think that's gonna be necessary. With limited bandwidth and time, we're focused on what's going to happen, not speculative ideas,' Bedenbaugh said.
City leaders believe SRNL is still part of the project, and talks are continuing as construction moves forward.
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