Cayce Residents Raise Privacy Concerns Over Upcoming Drainage Project
CAYCE — As the city of Cayce gears up for a major drainage project in the Avenues, residents are voicing concerns about their privacy, as construction could disturb their peaceful neighborhood surroundings.
At a picturesque corner house on Riverhill Court and Slann Drive lives Michael Norris, a long-time resident who has called this community home for 18 years. The neatly cut grass and carefully tended flowers tell the story of a homeowner who cherishes his living space. Behind his wooden fence, a collection of trees forms a natural, leafy sanctuary—a primary reason he and his wife chose to settle in this area. However, with the city’s plans now underway, Norris is worried that this small slice of serenity could soon be impacted.
The city has initiated a drainage project, which will entail installing a drainage pipe that runs from the intersecting streets into an area behind Norris’s home. This pipe will ultimately connect to the Congaree River, aiming to alleviate persistent drainage issues that many in the neighborhood have faced over the years.
“We understand the need for it, 100 percent,” Norris shared candidly. “I just wish there was an alternative route instead of going through someone else’s yard that happens to be my backyard.” For the Norris family, their cherished afternoons watching deer stroll through their backyard could soon become a thing of the past.
The Need for Improvement
The Avenues drainage project began back in 2020, aiming to tackle the flooding and drainage difficulties in this historically underserved neighborhood. With over $11 million in funding from a South Carolina grant secured in 2023, Cayce Mayor Elise Partin emphasized her commitment to addressing these long-standing issues that many residents have dealt with since the neighborhoods were first built in the 1940s and 1950s. “Back then, nobody really understood stormwater management the way we do now,” Partin noted.
City officials have assured residents that there is a plan in place to minimize the impact on green spaces, stressing that none of the trees on private properties will be removed. According to Partin, only trees directly in the path of the drainage pipe are set to be cut down, leaving much of the wooded area intact. That said, residents like Mary Barefoot still find themselves worried about the project’s proximity to their homes and the potential changes it may bring. “We know it’s necessary,” Barefoot said, “but I just wonder if other options were considered.”
Historic Concerns and Uncertainty
An element that adds a layer of complexity to the situation is the history shrouded within the land. Local lore hints at the existence of a historic Black cemetery in the vicinity of the construction, known as Guignard Cemetery, which remains a talking point among long-time residents. Elaine Boyd Kennedy, who grew up in the area, recalls hearing warnings from her parents about the space where Norris’s home currently stands. “We were told to stay away from there,” she shared. The complexity of the cemetery’s past has left many residents concerned about the project’s environmental impact and the potential for unintentional consequences regarding the burial site.
Despite fears and concerns, Cayce has established that the drainage project is not expected to disturb the area believed to contain the cemetery. A recent study conducted by an engineering firm looked into the location and concluded that no visible markers indicated above-ground memorials —a finding that did little to quell the uncertainty expressed by residents.
A Community Responds
As the city presses on with preparations, including the bidding process set to commence soon, construction is projected to start this winter. With worries still lingering, there’s a sense among the community that their voices are being heard. Residents like Michael Norris cherish the life they’ve built in Cayce, recognizing that while change is often necessary, their peace of mind is invaluable. “Time for life is the slogan for Cayce, and we’re living our best life,” Norris declared proudly. “We’re Cayce residents now for life. You can’t get rid of us.”
As discussions continue regarding the future of the Avenues and the upcoming drainage project, one thing is clear—Cayce residents value their homes, privacy, and community, all while navigating a path toward necessary improvements.
