Ground broken on Woodside Park development

Habitat for Humanity helps provide affordable housing

Simpsonville, S.C. — A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Woodside Park development in the historic Woodside Mill community on Friday.

The City of Simpsonville, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County and the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority hosted the ceremony, which was attended by Councilman Ken Cummings, Councilman Lou Hutchings, Councilwoman Sherry Roche, Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Planning & Economic Development Director Jason Knudsen and City Administrator Dianna Gracely.

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County's Capitol Campaign Chair Rich Hagins and Councilman Ken Cummings talk at the groundbreaking for the Woodside Park development Oct. 2, 2020 | City of Simpsonville

As a response to the severe need for affordable housing in the Greenville area, the Woodside Park development will provide homes to 13 families. Mayor Shewmaker said the City has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Redevelopment Authority to fill the gap in affordable housing.

Mayor Paul Shewmaker speaks at the Woodside Park groundbreaking Oct. 2, 2020 | City of Simpsonville

"Because of this partnership, 13 families will have affordable housing," Mayor Shewmaker said. "The City of Simpsonville believes in this project because the introduction of affordable housing into our cities benefits us all."

Council committed the City to the Woodside Park project in 2017 when it entered into a development agreement with and donated the land on which the housing will be built to Habitat for Humanity.

Simpsonville Planning & Economic Development Director Jason Knudsen, Mayor Paul Shewmaker and Councilman Lou Hutchings attended the Woodside Park groundbreaking Oct. 2, 2020. Mr. Knudsen and Councilman Hutchings have played important roles in getting the project off the ground, while Mayor Shewmaker, who took office in January, has wholeheartedly supported the project | City of Simpsonville

Mayor Shewmaker thanked Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County and the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority for investing in Simpsonville. Mayor Shewmaker also thanked previous iterations of Simpsonville City Council and former Mayor Janice Curtis for the pivotal role they played in making the Woodside Park development happen.

Simpsonville Planning & Economic Development Director Jason Knudsen; Councilman Ken Cummings; Councilman Lou Hutchings; former Mayor Janice Curtis; Councilwoman Sherry Roche; City Administrator Dianna Gracely and Mayor Paul Shewmaker have all played pivotal and important roles in the Woodside Park development project | City of Simpsonville