Historic mill building in Fort Mill may become the town’s newest apartment community
An historic downtown property in Fort Mill that's been in some sort of home goods business for more than a century could soon be converted into new apartments.
Owners of the former mill at Railroad Avenue, Watson Street and Williamson Street applied with the town for a rezoning that would allow for its conversion. A new apartment building would be constructed right beside it. Together, the Williamson Mill project would create 225 apartments and between 20,000 and 25,000 square feet of commercial space.
If the town agrees to rezone the site, the project should be completed by late 2027, according to the development team that presented plans to town planning commission Tuesday night. The team didn't give an estimated cost for the project.
What is the Williamson Mill?
The large mill just south of Main Street, beside where The Print Shop by Amor Artis brewery is now, sits on 16 acres. It's a series of buildings added on with time. The oldest part was built in 1892 as Luna Cotton Mill.
York County land records list the mill at almost 215,000 square feet of commercial space, but older records show it was once 273,000 square feet. Submitted plans show the largest single building at 192,000 square feet.
That brick building was renamed the White Plant in 1916. It was part of the Springs family textile operations that produced home goods in Fort Mill and surrounding communities for generations. The White Plant shut down in 2003. Two years later, Springs Mills, Inc. sold the property to rug maker Unique USA for $1.4 million.
The Nassri family that bought the site for Unique USA will continue to own the property as it transitions to apartments. The site has several vacant buildings now.
The owner is working through the process of getting the mill listed on the National Register of Historic Places . That listing would impact whether the project goes through the town planning commission or historic review board for approval.
It also could make the property eligible for tax or redevelopment incentives if it's listed on the register.
What would change in downtown Fort Mill?
The concept for Williamson Mill includes a pool and other amenities common to upscale apartments in the area.
The old mill would become two stories of apartments, at 147 units. The new building at Railroad Avenue and Watson Street would be four stories.
Commercial space on the bottom floor would complement pedestrian-friendly businesses on Main Street, according to the development team. The top three stories would have 78 apartments.
The development would realign Watson Street between the two buildings. A walking path would be added along Railroad Avenue, toward Main Street. A pedestrian crossing would be added at Meacham and Williamson streets, and there could be a realignment of Link Street.
Existing parking areas along Link, Meacham, Williamson and Watson streets would be used and in some cases expanded.
The new apartment building would go where Print Shop parking is now. The brewery had an agreement with the mill site owners to use parking space, but it never belonged to Print Shop.
A concept plan for the mill redevelopment shows a large parking lot just behind where the current parking is. It would be up to the Williamson Mill and Print Shop owners to come up with whatever plan would be needed to allow parking for the brewery, said town planning director Penelope Karagounis.
Latest in mill redevelopment trend
Williamson Mill would join a list of properties throughout the region that have transitioned in recent years from outlived mill sites to something new.
Much of downtown Rock Hill is commercial or apartment space in old mill buildings. University Center alone has The Power House with apartments and a food hall, The Thread at 400,000 square feet of mixed-use space and the Lowenstein Building , among others.
York, Clover and Lancaster have similar projects at various stages of redevelopment.
In Fort Mill, the town bought the former Springs executive offices this spring with plans to move town hall, town operations and the police department into them.
The town planning commission voted unanimously to approve rezoning for Williamson Mill on Tuesday. Fort Mill Town Council has to vote in favor of that rezoning twice for it to happen.
The first vote, which will include a public hearing, is tentatively set for Nov. 12.
