Cayce Seeks Urgent Flood Relief Grant to Tackle Longstanding Drainage Issues

Cayce Races Against Time for Flood Relief Grant

Cayce, a small city that sits just across the river from downtown Columbia, is currently in a bit of a race against time. The city’s officials are working diligently to secure a $10 million grant aimed at alleviating longstanding flooding issues in one of their key neighborhoods, the Avenues. This funding opportunity comes as part of the S.C. Infrastructure Investment Plan, overseen by the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority, and it’s a lifeline for many residents.

Quick Actions from the City Council

On Wednesday, the Cayce City Council held a special meeting, showing just how urgent this issue has become. They approved an agreement to purchase an easement from the Congaree Bluff subdivision—a crucial move to move forward with a large stormwater and drainage project in the city’s Avenues neighborhood. With a tight deadline looming, city staff must finalize the easement agreement with the homeowners’ association by September 19.

The Mayor of Cayce, Elise Partin, emphasized the importance of meeting the state’s timeline during this special meeting. The city owes an update to the Rural Infrastructure Authority, which was due the day after the meeting. “We need to demonstrate that we’re on the right path to completing the project,” she explained.

Progress in Engineering Plans

Deputy City Manager Michael Conley mentioned that Cayce is making solid progress, with about 60% of the engineering work completed. However, they still need to secure this easement and a few others to install the necessary water pipes leading to the river. “This easement is one integral piece of the puzzle,” he stated. “It runs through common space next to the neighborhood and is vital for our plans.”

It’s not just the easement from Congaree Bluff that the city needs to secure. The project requires a total of eight easements, and Conley noted that the city has already secured the other seven.

Community Challenges and Funding Solutions

The Avenues neighborhood has been plagued with drainage and stormwater issues for years. Conley mentioned that localized flooding has been a common occurrence, making a solution highly sought after by residents. Thanks to a previous grant of $750,000, a portion of the Avenues was successfully addressed last year. But this hefty $10 million grant promises a more comprehensive fix, covering the entire neighborhood, which stretches from 12th Street all the way to the Congaree River.

Mayor Partin voiced the financial challenges the city has faced in trying to tackle these issues over the years. Funding has been a critical struggle, especially since Cayce is the lowest-taxing entity among the county and state, which adds complexity to their efforts to maintain and enhance local infrastructure.

Community Voices Matter

As the city races against the clock, local leaders are also taking a considerate approach. Mayor Pro Tem Tim James, who has represented the district on the City Council, expressed his reluctance to resort to eminent domain to push forward the project. “I’ve been very careful to avoid any form of government overreach,” he said. “We need to work in partnership with the citizens before making drastic moves.”

City Councilman Hunter Sox echoed this sentiment, noting his ongoing conversations with residents about drainage problems. Sox mentioned that it’s important to initiate discussions with the community early on in the process to avoid last-minute pressures like the current situation. “We want to prevent any missteps and ensure we can involve everyone in the decision-making process,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As Cayce attempts to secure this critical funding and complete the necessary agreements in time, community members hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing flooding issues. With only a couple of years to spend the grant money, the pressure remains high for city officials to deliver.

It’s clear that everyone involved is rooting for Cayce to push through this hurdle, as so many residents stand to benefit from the success of this transformative project. The hope is not only to alleviate the immediate flooding concerns but also to lay the groundwork for a more resilient community for the years to come.