The corporate that purchased the property says they made efforts to protect the practically 120-year-old house nevertheless it’s unsalvageable.
LEXINGTON, S.C. — A brand new growth is coming to Lexington, however some fear it is coming on the expense of an outdated home on Sundown Boulevard.
The empty home is nearly 120 years outdated and sits quietly on the busy Lexington street.
“You’ll be able to see that somebody hasn’t lived there for a very long time,” mentioned Steve Patel.
Patel is a undertaking supervisor for Storage Models Lexington, which purchased the property in September 2021.
This yr, they plan to tear down the home and construct a brand new storage unit facility as an alternative. “It’s going to be a three-story workplace constructing sort look, the structure will match the neighboring properties,” defined Patel.
Nonetheless, when Lexington resident Christine Delmater noticed the “coming quickly” check in entrance of the vacant home, she was upset that it wasn’t going to be preserved. She mentioned plenty of frustration has been constructing in her neighborhood as a consequence of fast progress within the space with out preservation of historical past.
Delmater mentioned these new developments that exchange older buildings are inflicting Lexington to lose a few of its character.
“I’m afraid with all the expansion that’s occurring we’re shedding the Lexington we love,” Delmater added.
Nonetheless, Patel mentioned his firm did attempt to protect the outdated home by having it moved elsewhere.
“We thought we needed to salvage it. We had a few professionals are available in and see how we are able to transfer it. Each of them mentioned particularly, ‘No, it can’t be moved,’” Patel mentioned.
Plus, he mentioned the home was in the marketplace for a very long time earlier than they purchased it as a result of it’s lined in asbestos.
“By the point we end eradicating the asbestos, the home can be down to reveal bones. It is an unlucky occasion, however we needed to go forward and decide on tearing it down,” Patel mentioned.
Whereas it’s not the reply Delmater hoped for, she mentioned she appreciates the trouble and hopes the Lexington neighborhood can come collectively to seek out methods to protect different outdated buildings.
As for the brand new storage facility, Patel mentioned their purpose is to start development this summer time and full the brand new construct in July 2023.