Article Originally Appeared in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal Weekly.  Reprinted with permission of The Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

Putting The “Star” Back In Startex

Multiple Partnerships Revitalizing Once Prominent Community of Startex

By Glenn D. Bridges

Longtime residents of Startex can recall the days when a thriving textile mill had the community bustling with prominent textile-league ball teams, stores, a barbershop, grand hotel, attractive lakeside homes and much more.

Today, it’s a mere shell of its former self, but thanks to a relatively new organization – the Startex/Tucapau Community Action Association – the town is undergoing a major metamorphosis.

Formed a little over two years ago, STCAA is currently overseeing one of its biggest revitalization projects yet through a partnership with at least six parties, including the SJWD (Startex, Jackson, Wellford, Duncan) Water District, Startex Fire Department, Spartanburg County Community & Development Department, Town of Lyman, federal government and a major developer who has invested a substantial amount of his own money into replacing an aging and dangerously antiquated water system.

“We’ve talked about this for probably four years and finally began pursuing it,” said STCAA President David Gregg. “ Spartanburg County came to the table a little over two years ago and told us they were interested. They did a revitalization project in Una, and when it was completed, they told us they were coming to Startex.”

Through grants and the non-profit Christmas In Action organization, numerous homes in the community underwent repairs and upgrades this past spring. Now the focus has shifted to the water system. 

One of the biggest issues is a lack of fire hydrants and efficient waterlines. Thus SCCDD applied for several federal grants in conjunction with SJWD, which were approved.

“There are actually a lot of fire hydrants out there, but when the mill closed, it shut down the system it had maintained in the community,” said Billy Cothran, SJWD director of engineering. “Most of the domestic lines, which are small, were abandoned. After there was a fire in the community, we made a temporary tie-in (via the Town of Lyman ) and added a couple of fire hydrants to protect the churches and a couple of other properties. After this project is completed, all of the lines will have been replaced and there’ll be 14 more hydrants so that everyone is covered.”

Currently, dozens of decrepit hydrants dot the landscape tagged with “Out of Service” signs, and the system is in receivership through Lyman. SJWD wants to take it out of receivership and make it part of their district.

“The lines are really small, plus there’s debris in them, so there’s not enough water pressure,” said Mallory Beckett, a SCCDD planner working in liaison with SJWD and the town. “We’re very pleased with how the project is going. SJWD wants to make sure it comes to fruition.”

Another perk is that with more hydrants, homeowners’ insurance rates should drop considerably, so it’s a big deal for Startex, Beckett claims.

Managing the construction end of the project for the county is Holland Belue, who said the mission is divided into two phases.

“Phase One runs from Highway 290 to Main Street in Startex and up to Spartanburg Road ,” he explained. “That’s about 10,500 feet. We’re also burying the pipeline under the sidewalks because it’s a lot cheaper to replace than asphalt. That’s approximately 4,000 feet of sidewalk and gutter work that will have to be replaced.”

According to Gregg, SJWD also agreed to do something it normally doesn’t do.

“They plan to make the sidewalks wheelchair and handicapped accessible – something we don’t have right now,” he said. “They also plan to do some work around the Post Office with the same thing in mind. It’ll improve the looks of the community as well as make it more efficient.”

Belue said Payne, McGinn & Cummings was awarded the $800,000 Phase One project. Seven new fire hydrants will increase the fire department’s ability to serve Main Street and the old mill. The work began in earnest in August, with a completion goal of 100 days.

The county has awarded SJWD a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant to do the service lines on the side streets in Phase Two.

 SJWD is also using a bond referendum. That phase will add another 12 hydrants, and could cost an additional $400,00 to $500,000 if SJWD hires a contractor for the labor.

“We’ll systematically link the lines to each house,” said Cothran, who estimates it’ll take two to three hours per house.

The City of Lyman also received a $400,000 grant to improve sewer services.

“This project is on a whole new level than what we’re accustomed to based on the size of the community and having to install over 300 meters,” Cothran added. “But we’re getting a better system ourselves, and Startex is definitely better off.”

Resident Crystal Presley agrees.

“They post updates down at the Post Office, and everyone is talking about it,” said Presley, as she and her children strolled down a sidewalk. “We’re excited, and I haven’t heard any complaints.”

Another major player is Paul (Satpal) Rathie, owner and operator of Lake Construction LLC, who purchased the Startex Mills property when it went bankrupt. After learning the Main Street infrastructure would feature eight-inch pipes, he donated $100,000 to upgrade to a 12-inch trunk line to accommodate future growth.

Gregg said Rathie plans to market part of the mill as a warehouse, and rent office space out of another.

“He also purchased some undeveloped land around the mill – several hundred acres – and at some point plans to build a nice residential community,” Gregg claims.

SJWD Executive Director Mike Caston had nothing but praise for the entire operation.

“This is the way it ought to be done – cooperation between different organizations inside and outside the community,” he lauded. “I wish all of our projects worked this well. There’s nothing simple about this, but it’s been a delight.”

Glenn D. Bridges can be reached at: daddydolphin@charter.net.