Latest news with #StuartBedenbaugh
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aiken extends tax breaks to fix up old buildings
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — Aiken city leaders are considering changes to the tax benefits for rehabbing historic properties. 'Abandoned building credits can make or break whether a development is renovated or adaptively, reused, or needs to be torn down,' City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said. The city is adjusting its rules to match state law, allowing tax credits to freeze building values for up to 20 years. 'There's a number of projects coming forward, which, could take advantage of it and repurpose some, older buildings that have been vacant for a while, especially in our downtown,' he added. This move could make it easier—and cheaper—for developers to bring these buildings includes the old Aiken County Hospital, empty since 2013. The developer behind Warren Mills is taking it on next. 'Which without the tax credits, could be more expensive than a demolition in a rebuild,' the City Manager shared. The city worked with preservation groups former Historic Aiken Foundation to help get Hotel Aiken, the old hospital, the Johnson Drugstore and other buildings on the National Register — opening the door to funding that wasn't available before. 'They did a lot of the legwork in terms of completing the application, which is a pretty detailed document,' he recalled. 'That is a win for the community and for the city. By getting it on the national Register makes it eligible for millions of dollars of tax credits.' For the Hotel Aiken, progress is being made. Several developers submitted plans, and now only two are in the running. 'This will come into play,' he said. 'The main goal was to find a firm that would do an adaptive reuse of the property, and renovate, to take advantage of the tax credits. These firms all have experience doing that.' Once one is picked, the city says the public will get a chance to give input on the final plans. City leaders say any developers taking on these projects must go through the usual review process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aiken Regional eyes expansion as Masters week, other events increase air traffic
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — The Masters doesn't just bring golf patrons, it fills the skies too. Now, Aiken Regional Airport is looking to expand. 'The 10 days or so around the masters tournament is by far the busiest time of activity,' Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said. Every year, Aiken Regional Airport turns into a hub for high-profile arrivals—business leaders, celebrities, even emergency services. But the airport is struggling to keep up. 'We've had more equestrian events, more of the private, golf clubs with, national membership, we are seeing more plane traffic,' he added. The airport is hoping to get a little more than $8 million from the FAA. It'll go toward upgrading the runway—resurfacing, lighting, and some extensions. The feds would cover most of the cost, with the state and local government chipping in. 'We could not get a lot of the projects and improvements done without the aid of those matches,' Bedenbaugh shared. The $8 million helps, but it won't cover everything. Long-term plans include a permanent control tower, expanded taxiways, and terminal improvements. 'The proximity to Interstate 20 or going down US one toward Augusta makes it a nice destination,' he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
