Florence leaders want to change the perception that many people have of the city's downtown area.
Some development officials say many residents view the area as a place that is unsafe, and a place where there is nothing to do.
But they're on a mission to change that, and it's already begun with the influx of new businesses. There's already a new Thai restaurant and a salon. And a police substation now sits near the corner of Evans and Dargan Streets. But the most prominent new building is Francis Marion University's Performing Arts Center, which is currently under construction. It's set to be finished in the fall of 2010, and FMU officials say downtown was the perfect location.
"We just think it's the best of both worlds for us to expand our footprint, go into downtown Florence with the performing arts center and partner with our different community entities to do so," said Darryl Bridges, FMU's Vice President of Public and Community Affairs.
Phil Lookado, Florence's Director of Urban Planning and Development, says the fact that new businesses are choosing to locate downtown shows that the area has something to offer.
"It shows that there is, to the general public, there's activity in downtown, there's things to do, places to go and see, and so it's a good start to the revitalization of downtown."
And FMU's Performing Arts Center figures prominently into those plans for revitalization. Bridges says its presence will draw other attractions as well.
Downtown leaders say they're also working on moving the Florence County Museum to the downtown area, and they'd like to do some streetscaping in the area, as well.
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