The Railroad Corner Redevelopment
The City of Orangeburg engaged the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) in December 2020 to analyze the redevelopment feasibility of the Railroad Corner and assist with attracting private investment for the redevelopment of the site.
Railroad Corner is located between Orangeburg's downtown core and the two area universities, Claflin University and South Carolina State University, making it a strategic location to create an attractive and welcoming gateway between the campuses and downtown. The City of Orangeburg intends to see the development include a range of public and private uses that would potentially occupy existing buildings as well as new infill construction.
History of Railroad Corner
In the early to mid-20th century, the Railroad Corner was a thriving hub for African American businesses of prominence were the State Theater and the College Soda
Shop, both of which served as community anchors. In 1968, the Railroad Corner became the physical midway point between the sites tied to the Orangeburg Mas-
sacre On Feb 8, 1968, four years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, about 200 Claflin and SCSU students gathered on the SCSU campus (east of the Railroad Cor-
ner) to protest racial segregation at the All-Stars Bowling Alley (west of the Railroad Corner), where several students had been denied entry three days earlier State pa-
trolmen opened fire on the unarmed demonstrators, killing 3 men and wounding 28 individuals While it is one of the most violent episodes of the Civil Rights era,
the Orangeburg Massacre remains largely under reported and under recognized.
The Orangeburg community desires that any development at Railroad Corner honor the site's history.
Background and Process
The Railroad Corner site includes eleven parcels covering about 1.25 acres. The site is bounded by Russell Street to the South and Boulevard Street and Magnolia Street to the East, with two parcels located across Treadwell Street to the West. There are eight buildings currently located on the site parcels, many of which are currently vacant or distressed.
The redevelopment of Railroad Corner is part of a more general city effort to revitalize the Russell Street Corridor, which includes the building of a new county library and conference center, as well as a new commercial kitchen to be located at the Orangeburg market pavilion.
DFI will conduct feasibility analyses and identify several options for development while regularly seeking feedback and engagement with the City of Orangeburg leadership. Once a redevelopment scenario has been endorsed by the City, DFI will identify development partners with the experience and track record to make the vision a reality.
Project Renderings
Railroad Corner Groundbreaking
"Railroad Corner serves as a model of what can be accomplished with vision, commitment, and determination."
-Mayor Michael. C. Butler
Updates
Development Partners Selected: Orangeburg University District Partners
On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the Orangeburg City Council selected "Orangeburg University District Partners" as their preferred development partner for the Railroad Corner Redevelopment.
The city and OUDP are currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will set the framework for the execution of a Purchase and Development Agreement.
Railroad Corner Redevelopment - Developer Responses
The City of Orangeburg is pleased to announce that on Friday, June 10, 2022, the city received three responses to its “Solicitation for Development Partners” for the redevelopment of the Railroad Corner in downtown. The redevelopment of the Railroad Corner is part of a broader effort by the city to revitalize the Russell Street commercial corridor. Proposal responses were received from the following development groups:
- JDH Development
- Orangeburg District Partners
- Odeidra Williams
The solicitation period opened on Monday, March 14, 2022, and closed on Friday, June 10, 2022. Developers had roughly 90 days to prepare a proposal for the project. The City of Orangeburg and the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) advertised the Railroad Corner Redevelopment project through the following platforms:
- DFI & City of Orangeburg Websites
- Local newspaper (Times & Democrat)
- Columbia Regional Business Report
- Local stakeholder and developer list serves
Additionally, DFI was available throughout the process to provide additional information and answer questions for developers regarding solicitation requirements and public interests.
DFI had direct communication about this project with close to 40 firms across the U.S. 53% of the total firms contacted were in the state of SC, and 26% of the total firms contacted were known to be Minority/ Women Business Enterprises.
DFI, in partnership with the City of Orangeburg, is currently performing due diligence on developer proposal responses. The city hopes to select a development partner for the redevelopment of the Railroad Corner in Q3 2022.
Solicitation for Development Partner Proposals
The City of Orangeburg and the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) are pleased to release the Solicitation for Development Partner Proposals for the redevelopment of the Railroad Corner. DFI has worked with the city since December 2020 to create a financially feasible development opportunity at the Railroad Corner site. The Solicitation for Development Partners provides more details and submission requirements, as well as an Executive Summary.
Proposals are due Friday, June 10, 2022.
For questions about this opportunity, please contact Sonyia Turner via email, turner@sog.unc.edu, or phone, (919) 375-2621.
Council Endorses Scenario B and Proposed Public Participation
On Tuesday, January 18, the Orangeburg City Council endorsed Scenario B and the proposed public participation for the redevelopment of the Railroad Corner. To learn more, read here.
Railroad Corner Public Input Sessions - Nov 15 and Nov 16
What: Railroad Corner Redevelopment - Development Scenarios
When:
- Monday, November 15 at 12:00 pm: Location: Claflin University Dining Hall **student-focused**
- Monday, November 15 at 6:00 pm. Location: City Gym (410 Broughton Street, Orangeburg, SC)***
- Tuesday, November 16 at 9:00 am. Location: City Gym (410 Broughton Street, Orangeburg, SC)
***Note: the 6:00 pm public input session will be live-streamed.
The City of Orangeburg is soliciting community input on the development scenarios for the Railroad Corner Redevelopment.
The city and DFI will hold public input sessions on Monday, November 15 at 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm, and on Tuesday, November 16 at 9:00 am for the public to provide input on potential development scenarios for the railroad corner site. The city and DFI will use the input from these sessions to help inform the selection of a preferred development program.
In addition to these input sessions, a survey will be made available through the City of Orangeburg’s official webpage for the Railroad Corner redevelopment project (https://www.orangeburg.sc.us/project/railroad-corner-redevelopment), starting November 1, 2021 – December 10, 2021.
Download the Railroad Corner Development Scenarios Fact Sheet here!
City Council Working Session and Mid-Design Update
What: Railroad Corner redevelopment update and working session on site connectivity and pedestrian safety
When: 4:00 pm | Aug. 26, 2021
Where: Gymnasium (410 Broughton St., Orangeburg, SC)
On Aug. 26, the City of Orangeburg, DFI and Perkins&Will will hold a working session with City Council members, agency officials and elected representatives from the County of Orangeburg and the State of South Carolina, as well as leaders from Claflin University and South Carolina State University. The purpose of the working session is to give an update on the progress of the Railroad Corner and provide an opportunity for the elected officials and representatives to give feedback concerning design and connectivity to the site. Specifically, we will explore traffic patterns and consider ways to improve pedestrian connectivity and safety around the Railroad Corner site, in particular the intersection of Russell St., Magnolia St., and the railroad tracks. Pedestrian safety emerged as a key public concern during the first phase of community engagement.
Future Public Engagement Sessions
Following the August working session and the finalization of the architectural design concepts for the Railroad Corner, the City and DFI will conduct the second phase of community engagement. Scheduled for the fall, the public input sessions will seek feedback on the latest redevelopment updates for the site, including design concepts, historic preservation and pedestrian connectivity and safety, among other salient topics.
Once the public engagement dates are finalized, DFI and the City will share them with the community through a variety of communication channels. In the meantime, please visit https://www.orangeburg.sc.us/project/railroad-corner-redevelopment to stay up to date with the Railroad Corner redevelopment process.
Guiding Public Interests and Architect Selection
On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the Development Finance Initiative provided the City Council with an update on the Railroad Corner Redevelopment project. The presentation included a high-level market analysis update and findings from the Phase 1 Community Engagement process undertaken by the City and DFI. At the end of the presentation, the Council endorsed the following Guiding Public Interests for the project:
The Railroad Corner Redevelopment Should…
- Provide a catalytic mixed-use development that connects downtown to the universities and serves as a gateway to downtown.
- Respect the historical significance and context of the site and integrate this history into the development.
- Consider options for preserving the State Theater building.
- Incorporate engaging street-level uses that are attractive for students and the community.
- Enhance walkability to increase pedestrian activity from the universities to the Railroad Corner and along Russell St.
- Optimize public investment and maximize private investment.
DFI also introduced the architect team that will be working on the project, Perkins & Will. Malcolm Davis from Perkins & Will was present and introduced the firm and the type of work they do.
A copy of the memo DFI prepared for the May 18 Council meeting, along with their presentation, can be found in the "Documents" section of this webpage.
Railroad Corner Call-In Input Session
In response to high demand from the community, the City of Orangeburg will host a third input session on Thursday, April 29, at 6:00 pm to solicit input from residents about the Railroad Corner Redevelopment.
Community members can participate by telephone using the information below:
Phone: (929) 436-2866
Meeting ID: 474 818 1118
Community members may also participate via Zoom using the following link: https://unc.zoom.us/j/4748181118
Railroad Corner Input Sessions
Share your input and help the city make critical decisions about the future of Railroad Corner.
Input sessions will be held on the following dates to solicit input from Orangeburg residents about the Railroad Corner Redevelopment project:
- Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 am - Event is closed
- Thursday, March 18 at 6:00 pm
Community members can call in to these sessions and participate by phone or join via Zoom video conference. Call in and Zoom meeting details are provided below:
Phone: 1 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 474 818 1118
https://unc.zoom.us/j/4748181118
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The Railroad Corner Survey is LIVE
The City of Orangeburg is conducting a survey to learn what residents would like to see happen on the Railroad Corner.
The Railroad Corner, located at the intersection of Russell and Magnolia streets, is a primary investment area and a key focus of city leadership due to its proximity to two neighboring universities and its highly visible location.
Take a moment to complete this brief survey, and help the city make critical decisions about this property’s future.