The long-hoped-for Mauldin City Center moved a little closer to becoming a reality last week.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) approved the first phase of a landscaping plan that would remake the grounds of the Mauldin Cultural Center (MCC) while merging it with the neighboring Sports Center.

After crossing some t’s and dotting some i’s work could begin in less than three weeks.

“We were very anxious for this to be approved and we're very happy to see that this project will begin shortly,” wrote George Patrick McLeer, the MCC's executive director in a statement.

Arbor Engineering in Greenville executed the design for the Phase 1 of the project (see attached pdf) which will constitute a total overhaul of the Cultural Center’s grounds and result in a new front parking lot, memorial walking trail, a new outdoor amphitheater and new sod throughout the area. 

But that won’t be the only work being down outside the former Mauldin High School.

Concurrent to the landscaping work are some minor improvements to the MCC’s auditorium. Notably, the stage will be fortified, walls will be painted and ceiling tiles will be repaired or replaced. Bids for the work are due Aug. 16 and they will be presented to City Council later this month. The improvements, much like the landscaping could also be completed by fall.

“The goal is to have everything done by Halloween,” McLeer said.

Once the landscaping and auditorium touch-ups are finished, the next step will be a major renovation of the auditorium, which has an estimated price tag of $1.7 million and will be raised through a capital campaign.