New Construction Between Aiken And North Auguata Sc

Ongoing construction, fast food restaurants and bustling traffic are just some of the sights of North Augusta's Exit 5.

Retail and housing have increased in the area over the past year, with the addition of large and small businesses and neighborhoods off Austin Graybill Road and nearby Murrah Road.

One of the biggest new developments coming to the exit is a new emergency room with Aiken Regional Medical Center. The expansion of Aiken's medical system in the county comes after adding urgent care in nearby Graniteville. The building, which is currently under construction, is expected to open mid-2022.

In addition, planned development Austin Heights, is starting to sell homes in their Phase 1. The development, located off of Austin Graybill Road, has 150 homes of varying ranch and cottage styles.

Meybohm realtor Linda Limehouse said there is growth in the area, and that the Austin Heights neighborhood is a two year long project with construction PlanDwell Homes, South Georgia Homes and Designer Homes of Georgia.

Austin Heights, once completed, will look similar to the Whispering Pines development in Evans, GA. Some construction was completed in mid-August with homes starting at 1,500 square feet with houses priced around $300,000.

Corporate businesses have also continued to add locations in North Augusta along exit 5.

Recently, QuikTrip, the national gas and convenience store chain, plans on developing about 14 acres of land off of Edgefield Road. The property was annexed into the city in August.

Fast food chains Starbucks and Arby's opened new locations off of the exit next to the SRP Credit Union in July. The locations both offer drive through and dine in options for North Augusta residents.

Jiffy Lube is also adding a new location, in addition to another existing location in North Augusta on East Martintown Road. The building is still under construction and is located near the westbound entrance of Exit 5.

Aiken County Public Schools Superintendent King Laurence sees the growth in North Augusta as a signal for what is to come.

"I don't think we have had a school with over 1,600 students in a decade," Laurence said during an education luncheon Aug. 31. "North Augusta is growing, everybody knows that. We didn't really expect North Augusta High School to grow quite that quickly because two years ago we were at 1,400 students. The growth of 200 students in a couple of years is impressive growth. That is something we will be watching."

Other Aiken County schools in North Augusta will be continuing construction. Belvedere Elementary, Highlands Elementary and Middle School, Hammond Hills Elementary and North Augusta High adding new facilities.

North Augusta city administrator Jim Clifford is looking forward to the pursuit of new development off of Exit 5.

"The City feels the continued residential and commercial development around Exit 5 is beneficial to the citizens of North Augusta, as well as the residents of Aiken and Edgefield Counties," Clifford said.

"In the next year, I would expect to see the completion of the self-storage facility, the groundbreaking of the Aiken Regional Medical Center stand-alone Emergency Room, and the start of construction of the QT gas station. Residential growth will continue with the expansion of The Retreat at Walnut Village behind the Food Lion, and new townhomes near the upcoming QT," Clifford said.

Samantha Winn covers the city of North Augusta, with a focus on government and community oriented business. Follow her on Twitter: @samanthamwinn and on Facebook and Instagram: @swinnnews.

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Source: https://www.postandcourier.com/northaugustastar/news/progress-continues-near-north-augustas-exit-5-with-new-businesses-housing-developments-planned/article_577dc224-10e6-11ec-b46f-e3337d52c79f.html