Page 21 - Classically Carolina 2017

on the site have come and gone during the On a separate level it became clear the
years. The brick Romanesque Revival-style mill village district could easily become a
mill building standing today and still in vernacular destination for visitors as well.
use was built in 1899. As the mill thrived, City leaders decided to make an
the adjacent “village” was woven, including investment in the future of the mill village
houses, a church, a school and a fire as well as nearby in-town neighborhoods.
department. Ultimately, the city is investing nearly
The city of Camden’s Project Blackhawk is $30 million in the extensive infrastructure
something of an acknowledgement of efforts project, financing it with a combination of
started a number of years ago. bond issues and low-interest loans from the
The Kendall Mill Historic District was S.C. State Revolving Fund.
listed in the National Register of Historic In January 2017, Deputy Public Works
Places in 1982. Director Ray Peterson reported some
In the late 1980s, the area started to see exciting news: Project Blackhawk had been
the first signs of redevelopment. Camden featured in Water and Waste Digest (WWD),
businesswoman Patricia Richardson a premiere national trade magazine that
began buying old homes in the village covers water and sewer issues in the U.S.
and renovating them. In time, the WWD even named Project Blackhawk one
neighborhood, while still steeped in its of its top 12 water and wastewater projects
blue collar roots, became more eclectic, undertaken by a government entity in the
attracting professionals, families, artists country for 2016.
and retirees. Mayor Alfred Mae Drakeford said she
However, despite the surging popularity thinks residents will be very pleased
of the neighborhood, with streets and with the results of the project. The city
sidewalks falling apart and electrical and also hopes more than just citizens will
water/sewer infrastructure failing and/ appreciate the work. Now nationally
or becoming outdated, it became clear the recognized, Project Blackhawk is just one
residents and property owners needed of many steps Camden has taken to make
significant improvements to be done at a many areas in the city more attractive to
level and scope only the city could provide. visitors.

Camden ~ Classically Carolina / 41