Is Hub Clemson a Done Deal?

By Evan Smoak,

Upstate Today

CLEMSON — The city of Clemson is in the process of potentially creating two tax increment financing (TIF) districts. One of these districts has been created in the downtown area and is labeled as the Westside Subarea. This subarea includes properties owned by Core Spaces, developer of the Hub Clemson project.

The plan, if the TIF districts are passed, is to collect tax increments — future increases in property tax revenue generated by redevelopment of the Westside Subarea — to build attainable housing intended to be used for local workforces.

Despite the reliance on the revenues generated from the development of Hub Clemson, officials said ongoing legal action could prevent the project from moving forward.

Lawsuit

The city is involved in an ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit pertaining to the development.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs ask for the vote approving the Hub Clemson project to be reversed, among other requests.

The request stems from the city of Clemson conducting illegal meetings, according to legal documents.

“Prior to these publicly noticed votes, the City held illegal, secret subcommittee meetings, improperly held one or more executive sessions, and improperly held illegal, secret meetings or discussions for which there was no public notice, no minutes or other public records, and no public forum such that City residents could engage in the process or provide public comment, all related to Hub Clemson,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 23 and was served to city of Clemson administrator Andy Blondeau on Sept. 9, according to court records. The original deadline set for the city to respond to the allegations was Oct. 9, but Judge G.D. Morgan, Jr. granted a 30-day extension.

City of Clemson attorney Michael Kozlarek asked for the extension due to the effects of Hurricane Helene on the city, among other reasons. The updated deadline for a response is Nov. 9.

What happens to TIF if the HUB is not built?

In the event the project is not completed, the TIF would not be collected.

“The debt needed to support the housing plan would not be issued if the project did not occur,” Blondeau told The Journal in an email earlier this month.

Caleb Gilbert contributed to this report.

evan@upstatetoday.com | (864) 973-6686

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