The historical designation could also apply to nearby homes.
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GREENWOOD, S.C. —
The city of Greenwood is pursuing historical designation for one of its original textile mills, which, city officials say, plans to honor its past while playing a role in its future.
Mayor Brandon Smith said the Kitson Mill was established around 1890 and played a big part in the city's economy before it closed.
"The mill has been torn down now, but it was a mini village unto itself with a hardware store, post office, other commercial stores around there, dry cleaning," Smith said.
Several buildings of the former mill remain standing, and the Greenwood Mill Village remains standing to this day.
This month, the city approved for a firm to pursue adding the mill and surrounding areas to the National Register of Historic Places.
"With the deserving status, there comes a number of options and availability of certain funds," Smith said.
The mayor added that the potential historic designation allows federal funds to be allowed for preservation and maintenance of the existing structures.
He also said a proposed mixed-use development was the start of the process.
"The old Kitson Mill site is going to be developed into upscale apartments that are going to be in keeping with the the Greenwood Mill Village in terms of the reliance on brick and that really neat brick look to it," Smith said. "We're really excited about what that can bring to right off of Uptown here in Greenwood."
Renderings of the proposed development are not yet available.
The historical designation could also apply to the homes that neighbors such as Jones Pendergrass live in.
"Textiles is the whole reason we have a town. The reason why I'm living in this house," he said. "With funds comes a lot of tricky things sometimes. That's just how life is, so hope it brings more good than bad, and I hope they do the right things with it."
"The goal is certainly preservation at this point for the mill village," Smith said. "It's something that's probably overdue, whether the Kitson Mill site gets developed or not, but it was the impetus to start that process."
The mayor said the city will find out if its bid for the mill and surrounding areas to be included in the National Register of Historic Places is successful in the next few months.