EDITORIAL: Next step for the Union Street area

D.J. Spence shows a kindergarten class from South Aiken Presbyterian around the Aiken Railroad Depot. Staff photo by Amy Banton.

The City of Aiken Planning Commission has started the process of coming up with a plan for how to develop the Union Street-area around the reconstructed depot.

This is the next step of a long-term plan to revitalize the four-block area around depot to make it more attractive for downtown visitors and tourists. It's a good plan that sets the stage for attracting more businesses and people - both which make Aiken a better place to live.

The depot was the first step. There was some controversy about the public-private funding, but it's a good project for the city.

It got the ball rolling and city leaders wisely are continuing the progress.

The ideas presented by the consultants working with an architectural firm are intriguing.

Among the ideas are improvements in Gyles Park such as adding elements like an event staging area and a horse trough-like water feature. The plan includes walkways, seating, a reconstructed passenger platform and making the relocated railroad caboose a focal point.

The consultants recommended installing a roundabout at the intersection of Park Avenue and Union Street that would serve as an entrance to the area.

An important long-term goal of the project would be to enhance the mixed-use development by encouraging private development of businesses and residential in the area.

Another suggestions is a Downtown Heritage Interpretive walk that would go from the Center for African American History, Art and Culture on York Street to Friendship Baptist Church on Kershaw Street. This interpretive walk would include signage, interpretive boards and maybe even words engraved into the pavement to offer bits of information and history about the various structures that will be passed along the way.

Overall the plan is quite ambitious, but doable. Revitalizing the Union Street area makes it a natural extension of the already successful Downtown Aiken.

We like that the Planning Commissioners already are talking about getting public input on the project. This can be an exciting and dynamic project that will enhance the future of the city.