WestEnd Community Under Redevelopment, Receiving Mixed Reviews

The West End Community of Sumter, SC, has undergone many changes in the past year. From new bicycle lanes, new sidewalks, and newly paved streets, a lot of development is happening in the West End Community.
That redevelopment includes the Birnie Hope Center, which recently received a facelift to include a new street sign, a new walking trail, and an extended parking lot. Children can be seen playing in the splash pads as moms and dads walk along the new trail. The community has embraced Liberty Steam Charter School, which took over the dilapidated Liberty St (Segregated) Elementary School Building. But some residents feel things may be changing too quickly.
A proposition for 52 apartments developed by the Bradley Group was received poorly by area residents. Community members flooded the West End Community Association and Sumter City Council with concerns that 52 families on a proposed 3.99 acres was too small a space and may have unintended negative consequences. Many neighbors are happy to have the community association reorganized and active. Still, there is a growing concern in these areas where blighted homes are often demolished, and new homeowners come in. If more homes could be saved, the history of the community would be better preserved. Lincoln High School, is the all-black high school in the community, along with several other historical landmarks in a community where the affluent African Americans once lived.