Estill, SC - Riley Mayors' Design Fellowship

Estill

SOUTH CAROLINA

RILEY MAYORS’ DESIGN FELLOWSHIP

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RESEARCH AND FIELDWORK The following information is the product of student research and fieldwork after visiting the town of TOWN in the fall of 2021.

ESTILL Estill, South Carolina is a very small town south of located in Hampton County, just south of Beaufort, South Carolina. The town is culturally driven by its proud history. Estill was established in 1900 for the purpose of providing a railway rest stop in between Augusta, GA and Savannah, GA. Since then, Estill has stayed a small town and seen little growth.

The circular town is laid out very simply with the railroad tracks cutting through the center of town. The main intersection is formed when 3rd St ends at Highway 321, at this intersection is where the “downtown” is. Once a striking and booming agricultural downtown is now largely vacant and dying. Estill struggles with finding businesses to move into town to stimulate any type of growth. The businesses that are currently in Estill alone cannot sustain the town itself.

Funding for the town comes almost entirely from the county and state, making local projects difficult to initiate. Despite all of this, the people of Estill are unified and strong willed. Almost all current residents grew up, work, and have lived in Estill their entire lives, as have the generations before them. The town has a strong sense of community and locals are more than willing to participate in change. They want to see the place they call home prosper for the next generations.

The town of Estill is predominantly black, making up 85% of the population, and about 10% being white. The town faces high levels of poverty while also dealing with an ever increasing average age. Together these two factors give way to a town that has seen a steady decrease in population over the past decade.

The current mayor, Kim Wiley, aims to continue assisting with recreational youth activities including athletics, and visual and performing arts.

For the citizens of Estill to get any programs for the youth, they have to travel outside of the town to get to a county park that offers programs like football and basketball. Additionally, the town’s infrastructure needs major improvements, this creates conflict of how to spend town resources (improve the existing or fund new programs for children). This challenge is one of many for the mayor as she established her footing after being recently elected. Upon the many challenges the town faces, it also faces a food scarcity. The entire town has only one operational grocery store despite being surrounded by farm land. This is a key issue the mayor must face in her time in office.

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We want to see the life come back to our home.

DEMOGRAPHICS Population in 2020.

Population Source: Census Year: 2020 Insufficient Data 852 or less 853 - 1,120 1,121 - 1,413 1,414 - 1,838 1,839 or greater Shaded by: Block Group, 2020

Predominant racial or ethnic group between 2013-2017.

Predominant Racial or Ethnic Group Source: Census Year: 2013-2017

Insufficient Data White >90% White 70-90% White 50-70% White <50% Black >90% Black 70-90% Black 50-70% Black <50% Hispanic >90% Hispanic 70-90% Hispanic 50-70%

Predominant Predominantracial racialororethnic ethnicgroup groupbetween between2013-2017.

2013-2017.

Predominant Racial<50% or Ethnic Group Hispanic Source: Census

Asian >90%

Year: 2013-2017

Asian 70-90% Insufficient Data Asian 50-70% White >90% Asian <50% White 70-90% Native American/Alaska Native >90% White 50-70%

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© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Native American/Alaska White <50% Native 70-90% Native American/Alaska Black >90% Native 50-70% Black 70-90% Native American/Alaska Native <50% Black 50-70% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 70-90% Black <50% Shaded by: Hispanic Block Group, 2010 >90%

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Hispanic 70-90% © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors Hispanic 50-70% Hispanic <50% Asian >90% Asian 70-90% Asian 50-70% Asian <50% Native American/Alaska Native >90% Native American/Alaska Native 70-90% Native American/Alaska Native 50-70% Native American/Alaska Native <50% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 70-90% Shaded by: Block Group, 2010

2000 2000ft ft

©©MapTiler MapTiler©©OpenStreetMap OpenStreetMapcontributors contributors

Estill has a population of just under 2,000. Census data shows that the population in Estill is decreasing while also aging. This equates to an unsustainable population that may eventually die out unless younger generations move into town.

Most of the town lives east of Highway 321 and south of 3rd street, the two main roads that form

the town. Additionally, Estill is predominately black with 85% of the population being African American and about 10% being Caucasian.

DEMOGRAPHICS Estimated percent of all people that are living in poverty as of 2015-2019.

Percent of People in Poverty Source: Census Year: 2015-2019 Insufficient Data 5.40% or less 5.41% - 9.27% 9.28% - 14.39% 14.40% - 22.96% 22.97% or greater Shaded by: Census Tract, 2010

Grocery store locations

Grocery Retail Locations Source: Nielsen TDLinx

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© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Much of Estill, like Hampton county, lives in poverty with over 23% of the population living below the poverty line. Because of the financial crisis in Estill, town officials struggle to find funding for local projects, meaning that Estill has to look to the county, state, and nation for funding.

© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

The food scarcity in Estill is severe. There appears to only be four locations to purchase groceries; however, two of the locations are convenience stores, and one is permanently closed. This leaves one grocery store at the very north end of the town for all of the residents.

MAPS

Railroad Ave

RAILROAD AVE PARK

ESTILL PUBLIC LIBRARY 321

3rd St

Catherine St

3rd S

1st St

GREENWA

Estill has three major focus areas for redevelopment. The first being the Railroad Ave Park site, along Highway 321 and just two blocks north of 3rd Street, is located right off one of the access points to get into Estill. This site is important to attract outsiders into town and help reform the local economy.

The second focus area is the public library, fixed along 3rd Street. The library is a central asset to the town that is otherwise underutilized. The library is also a center point between the Railroad Ave Park and the greenway, and can draw people to walk through downtown.

MAPS

L PUBLIC LIBRARY

Catherine St

3rd St

1st St

GREENWAY

The third focus area is the greenway. Currently, it sits far from any major business and along the periphery of the residentail areas. This space, like the library, is underutilized. The location of the greenway can be a fun area of recreation for locals and outsiders to enjoy.

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ANNOTATED PHOTOGRAPHS

What does this building mean to the community?

What problems will trains bring?

Is this parking lot known about?

How can this space be utilized?

Can these lines be moved/ redirected?

Should this table be shaded

Should there be a clear indication that this is the entrance... and this is the exit?

Am I allowed to use this grass?

Am I allowed to walk on the grass to access the swings/ library entrance?

RAILROAD AVE PARK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

The mural of a previous business in front of a well kept field is inviting for the locals while drawing on the town’s past. The area could be improved with the redirection of two power lines and a natural buffer between the lawn and the railroad tracts.

Along with being underutilized, the site for the library is confusing and somewhat hostile. There is no clear sense of circulation, no signage, and poorly accessible swing and bench seating.

ANNOTATED PHOTOGRAPHS Is there a maintenance plan?

Do events happen here?

Are these power outlets operational?

Can there be more accommodation for children and the elderly?

Does this tree block the view to the trailway?

Can this sidewalk accommodate two people? Is this path lit?

What would landscape look like that supports this area?

Is there a pedestrian friendly connection from 3rd St to the trail?

GREENWAY

SIDEWALK CONDITIONS

Aside from a few workout stations, the current greenway is essentially a loose gravel path with no real purpose or desitiation. Much of the path is exposed to the element, and the loose gravel may be unsafe or neglectful to the aging population.

Although not a focus area, the condition of this sidewalk along 3rd St and Catherine St should be improved to create a better connection, by means of walking and visibility, between the library and the greenway.

SWOT ANALYSIS ESTILL The following SWOT analysis pertains to both Estill’s overall characteristics while also covering some focus areas. Due to the smaller scale of this town, any project can seem large and have a profound impact on the community. Those interviewed during the tour of the town are: Kim Wiley (mayor of Estill), Audrey Hopkins- Williams (staff member), and the Reverend (local contractor and history expert).

STRENGTHS • • • • • •

Estill is a tight knit community where everyone knows everyone.

The town expresses itself through the arts, engaging people of all ages over many disciplines.

There is established food drives, community outreaches, community postings with easily accessible information at the library.

Estill has skilled workers who are capable of contracting work.

The town has a small urban garden.

The town has connections to the Low Country Food Bank.

WEAKNESSES • • • • • • •

Trains run every few hours through the center of town without making stops. Amtrak does the same. Closest stop is far away out of town.

The trails and greenway in Estill do not connect to anything and are far removed from the downtown area, major businesses, residential areas, or schools.

There is little public engagement with both public spaces (greenway, library, museum) and private businesses (restaurants, retail).

There is only one grocery store in town.

Urgent health care services cannot be found in Estill.

There is a shared sense of boredom, “there ain’t nothing to do here”.

Local churches stopped community outreach during Covid.

OPPORTUNITIES • • • • •

The strong sense of community makes the town willing to work together to make change.

The downtown area is quaint, and the line of storefronts creates a communal area across the train tracts.

Unused land is plentiful and can be used for public spaces.

Strong ties to the arts community gives the mayor and her council a say in how art can be incorporated into design.

A place for events could attract the churches to play a role in the town once again.

THREATS • • • •

Local infrastructure needs major improvements.

Public projects are funded almost entirely off of county funds or state and national grants.

The newly elected mayor is still “finding her groove” and making connections.

The low percentage of youth in town presents problems.

DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES The following information is the product of student design work and the outcome of workshop discussions.

PRE-WORKSHOP PROJECT DESCRIPTION The town of Estill has a strong, unified community whose vision for the future is hopeful and bright.

The future goals for the Town of Estill is to continue assisting with recreational youth activities such as athletics, and visual and performing arts. As of today, if local children want to encounter any of these activities, they must travel outside of Estill. The community must raise its expectations so the youth can see their futures take shape all within town. The youth of Estill can be just as bright and promising as other rural communities. Mayor Wiley believes in the town and the members of the community.

Upon traveling to the town, it became evident that the areas with the strongest impact are the library, the town greenway, and a stretch of vacant land by Estill’s downtown area. All three focus areas align to make a strong gesture from Highway 321 to 3rd Street. These two roads are the main arteries in Estill, and their intersection is the center of town.

The Estill Public Library acts more as a community center, especially for the younger generation.

Recently, the library underwent an expansion, but exterior areas need improvement. The greenway is a new addition to the town. While there is still a lot of opportunity for this area, there are issues with practical use and general accessibility. The stretch of land downtown, which will be referred to as “Railroad Ave. Park”, has the potential to be used for local commerce while also being adaptable.

Together these three sites will create a meaningful and desirable path that will run past the business fronts of downtown and connect to many other important areas in town.

DESIGN IDEAS

Open air farmers’ market.

Options for seating/ gathering.

Plant barrier from train tracks.

What problems do the tracks bring?

Open air farmers’ market.

How can this space be utilized?

Options for seating.

Plant barrier from tracks.

RAILROAD AVE PARK This stretch of land could house a tent where farmers’ markets can be held to improve the situation of the food desert in Estill. There could also be spaces available for art shows where artists can sell their work.

Wooden bench seating.

Painted entrance sign.

More accessible swings.

What events can happen here?

Which is entrance/ exit?

Shaded area for sitting/ lectures.

Should there be more seating?

PUBLIC LIBRARY The library could see the addition of several permiable sidewalks leading to the swings that would also create an area for a central shaded reading or lounging. Artistic signage would help clear the confusion for entrance and exit conditions to the library.

Shaded reading/ performing area.

Painted sidewalks as signage.

More bench seating.

DESIGN IDEAS

Seating for food truck services.

Shaded pathway for easy walkability.

More accessible seating along path.

Seating for food truck services.

Is there a maintenance plan?

Do events happen here?

Can there be more accommodation for children and the elderly?

GREENWAY The addition of spaces for food trucks to the greenway would attract the locals to visit the area more often. Semipermiable paths and shading structures are needed to include the elderly and handicap in local events.

Shade canopies for hot summer months.

Wider, more accessible walkways.

Shaded play area.