Although Mauldin has grown substantially in recent years, it lacked a traditional downtown. The city wanted to cultivate a definable sense of space and community that could attract businesses and residents. It partnered with Hughes Investments to develop the pedestrian-focused, mixed-used Bridgeway Station, an attention-grabbing project offering new apartments, offices, shops and restaurants, all with a purposely cultivated Italianate design sensibility. Its namesake pedestrian bridge secured SC Department of Transportation approval to cross Interstate 385 and eventually connect to the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail network.  

The city established a new form-based zoning district to overcome the project’s regulatory obstacles, much of it focused on walkability. The effort leveraged a Multi-County Industrial Park for infrastructure funding, supported by Greenville County and the Greenville County School District. Hughes Investments secured more than $100 million in private investment, which provided critical infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks and wastewater utilities, as well as parks and public art. Mauldin also used a revenue bond for the roughly $5 million pedestrian bridge. 

Now home to many businesses and a massive schedule of events, BridgeWay Station serves residential, commercial and recreational purposes. Estimated tax revenues will reach approximately $2.5 million at project completion, with an expected 2,000 jobs created and an eventual 2 million square feet of development. Future plans include a 10,000-seat stadium for the Greenville Triumph soccer team, as well as events and concerts.  

Contact Gregory Saxton at gsaxton@mauldincitysc.com or 864.914.0711.