Cayce development calls for replacing home with parking. The mayor opposes it
A proposed business development in Cayce calls for replacing a neighborhood home with parking, drawing opposition from the city’s mayor.
On the corner of Knox Abbott Drive and 9th Street, a commercial building sits vacant. It had, at one time, housed Aaro Rental Center, an equipment rental company. The building is now empty, with a sign posted in the front window sharing details for their other location on Bush River Road.
“We’re closing this location only,” the sign reads. “Thank you Cayce for 40 years.”
The property, which is adjacent to popular establishments like Duke’s Pad Thai, has a large lot behind the building and is surrounded by a chain link fence. Just beyond the lot lies a three-bedroom brick home on the corner of F Avenue and 9th Street, according to property records. In a video she posted online, Cayce Mayor Elise Partin said there is a proposal for a new business to be slotted there. Partin did not specify what the business was, but shared its potential impact on the community behind it.
“Behind this site is a residential property, and they want to take that residential property and rezone it to be parking and a drive-thru area for this development,” Partin said.
Partin said it was “definitely not” something she’d support.
“Great neighborhood, great commercial spot, but right behind us is residential, and it should stay that way,” Partin said. “If we protect our neighborhoods, then there’s great places to live and we know that businesses follow people.”
Partin clarified in a comment under the video that despite her opposition to tearing down the home next door, the “new business is completely welcome.”
“We’re really business-friendly in the City of Cayce and do a great job of working with developers and business owners,” Partin said in the video. “We get those kudos all the time.”
Cayce residents are encouraged to talk to their council members about the project, the mayor said.
“I only have one vote,” Partin said.
