Lower Richland/Southeast Columbia-The Final Frontier (Gaston, Eastover: income, taxes, shop)

[Woodlands]

Intersting article about Lower Richland resident's opinions on a new sewer line and the impact on them financially along with potential impact on the rural nature of Lower Richland.

Lower Richland is an interesting area.. it goes from pockets of poverty around places like Eastover and Gaston to sprawling horse farms and "plantation" style estates.. It seems that many of these folks want to keep the area rural.. and have been successful to date.. but mainly because most of the growth has gone to the NE and now Northern Richland County. I can see development coming to Lower Richland if the infrastructure is improved.. but I dont know if it will be as explosive as some of them fear...

I do know that the commute from down that end may be easier than coming in from the NE though it does bottleneck as you get up into Rosewood and more intown...

Lower Richland sewage line dispute highlights distrust | The State The State

[Woodlands]

There is also the subtle nuance of race/income that has been introduced periodically in this scenario.. with some of the poor, mostly African American population not being opposed to 'development' since they could subdivide their property or sell outright in the case of heirs to developers while many white and/or major landowners dont want to have what happened in NE Richland County occur in Lower Richland. Rising property values with development and improved infrastructure is a double edge sword.. It will cause the taxes to go up for those that want to remain even if it proves a nice profit for those that want to sell. Then there certainly is the issue of traffic and conjestion which, on rural back roads, could prove problematic for those that remain having to navigate an already congested HWY 378/Garners Ferry Road and Leesburg Road. The extension of Shop Road along with the widening of it up by Williams Brice may help some..There is certainly a middle ground but threading that needle will require some give and take....