Happy New Year! 2025 will be another busy year for the City of Fountain Inn. Here is a preview of what you can expect:
Projects
Construction of the Main Street streetscape extension is expected to begin in early 2025. The project will provide the same look and feel of Main Street from Hellams Street to Jones Street to the intersection of Main Street and Highway 418.
City Council will look to adopt a unified development ordinance (UDO) by early Spring. This project completely overhauls our existing zoning ordinance and land development regulations.
Fountain Inn Fire Department’s Station No. 3 construction will break ground in 2025. The station will be at the corner of Scuffletown and Jones Mill Roads. Adding this fire station will lead to faster response times and could eventually assist the Department in lowering its ISO rating from two to one.
Lastly, at the site of the City’s former Public Works/Natural Gas facility located at Jones and Wall Streets, we will add approximately 61 additional parking spaces and four ADA-accessible parking spaces in downtown Fountain Inn.
Economic Development
In downtown Fountain Inn, I’m looking forward to the opening of Hotto Noodle at 110 North Main Street (a former barber shop next to the splash pad). The building’s rooftop patio will be an excellent addition to our community. In late 2024, a developer purchased the vacant gas station at 101 South Main Street. Construction/renovation work should begin soon on this site, whose location is likely the most prominent in downtown Fountain Inn. Lastly, you have already seen the demolition of the former dry cleaner’s building at 200 South Weston Street. Expect to see the construction of a new building with multiple tenants this year.
Goal By the end of 2025
I want the City of Fountain Inn to become an Accredited Main Street Community. Only Aiken, Florence, Greenwood, Hartsville, and Laurens have Accredited Main Street programs in South Carolina. I believe Main Street Fountain Inn is ready to take a step forward and be recognized as one of the top Main Street communities in the state.
After nearly twenty years, I am excited to announce the commencement of our next zoning initiative: the update of our Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Regulations. This project is a pivotal step in bringing to life the vision you laid out in our recently adopted INNvision Comprehensive Plan.
Why This Update Matters
Our current zoning and land development regulations have served us well since their last major revision in 2006. However, as Fountain Inn continues to grow and evolve, it is crucial that our regulations reflect our community's aspirations and address the key issues we face today. This update will help ensure that future development is of high quality, aligns with our community values, and is user-friendly for all.
Project Goals
The goals of this update are ambitious yet necessary:
• Modernize Zoning Districts: Update allowable uses and development standards to better serve current and future needs.
• Enhance Usability: Make the zoning code more user-friendly for residents, developers, and staff.
• Promote Quality Development: Lay the groundwork for developments that enhance our community's character and quality of life.
Stay Informed of Fountain Inn News
To stay updated on the progress of this project, please visit our INN the Zone webpage. Here, you will find comprehensive information, including project timelines, meeting announcements, and draft documents.
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