LANCASTER, SC — In a concerted effort to accelerate the revitalization of downtown Lancaster, the City Council and the Red Rose City Development Corporation (RRCDC) Board of Directors convened for a joint meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The session focused on aligning the strategic visions of the two bodies, reviewing the status of the new Downtown Rehabilitation Grant, and discussing the future of key city properties.
Alize Thomas, the City’s Marketing and Development Manager and RRCDC Executive Director, opened the meeting by defining the Corporation’s role as an independent non-profit designed to support economic development and investment while working in close collaboration with City leadership.
“The development corporation acts strategically to pursue funding opportunities and respond quickly to community and business needs,” Thomas told the assembly.
Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Sees High Demand
A major highlight of the evening was the update on the newly launched Downtown Rehabilitation Grant. Thomas reported that the program received 13 applications, totaling $524,466 in requested funding.
Unlike previous city initiatives that focused strictly on exterior facades, this new grant program allows funds to be used for interior renovations and roof repairs—critical “gap fillers” necessary to make older buildings tenant-ready. With a maximum grant cap of $50,000 per project, the high volume of requests highlights the eagerness of property owners to invest in the city center.
“We want to partner with somebody who is going to make an impact,” said RRCDC Board Member James Hawthorne. He emphasized that project readiness was a major grading criterion, ensuring that funds go to developers ready to break ground rather than sit on empty properties.
The Board is currently reviewing applications, with plans to notify award recipients by the end of March.
The “Old Post Office” and Future Development
Significant discussion revolved around the city-owned “Old Post Office” building. Both the Council and the RRCDC Board identified the property as a potential catalyst for downtown economic activity.
Mayor Alston DeVenny noted the city’s strategic move to acquire the property but acknowledged the need for a concrete plan. “We finally got this piece of dirt… but right now we are assessing: do we give up the public part of the post office?” DeVenny said, weighing public use against potential private partnerships.
The RRCDC Board expressed a strong desire to help market such properties to private investors who could transform them into mixed-use developments, restaurants, or retail spaces that generate foot traffic outside of standard business hours.
Tackling Blight and Code Enforcement
The meeting also addressed the challenges of vacant and dilapidated buildings. Council Member Jackie Harris was vocal about the need for stricter code enforcement to ensure that all property owners are held to the same standard.
“You can’t slap one person on the wrist and not the rest,” Harris said. “I think everybody needs to be held accountable to bringing their business up. There is no need just to have them sit there.”
The discussion highlighted a “carrot and stick” approach: offering incentives like the Rehabilitation Grant to willing owners while applying pressure on negligent owners through code enforcement to address safety hazards like boarded windows and failing roofs.
Looking Ahead
The bodies agreed on the necessity of regular collaboration to ensure the RRCDC and the City Council move in lockstep. The group tentatively planned to hold joint meetings every six months, with the next session targeted for October 2026.
As the meeting concluded, the tone was one of optimism regarding the momentum building in Lancaster.
“We have to start something to get that momentum going,” Thomas said regarding the grants. “We want to make sure we are putting these funds to use.”
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