Unfinished apartments on Hwy 501 in Conway, SC

Coastal Estates as seen from US 501 by Google Maps.
2519 US 501 Hwy Conway, SC

This article is not about Timmonsville. It should be filed under the "Wow, what a waste!" category.

Have you noticed the unfinished apartment buildings for student housing on US 501 in Conway, SC? They are located just past Coastal Carolina University and before you get to Carolina Forest on the left. I noticed these falling apart buildings on a trip to the beach a while back.

The story we did recently about ex-NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's former home reminded
us of this unfinished project.

I basically just wanted to find out why the construction had stopped on these apartments. It seemed to be a great waste of money, energy, time, and natural resources.

It also made me think of a passage in the Bible, Luke 14:28-30 (KJV) which reads:

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

How do you build seven large buildings at the same time and not see something like this coming?

It is reported that Chancel Hospitality Residential & Tourism, Inc. (Chancel HRT), the project’s builder, says developers, Students Investments LLC and Reliable Investments Inc., quit paying the construction bills. They reportedly owed the Conway-rooted construction company $3.6 million plus interest and attorney’s fees. Chancel HRT believes the owners quit paying because an expected loan and/or outside investment in the building project didn’t come to fruition.

The original plan was to build 11 buildings at $1.7 million each. Each building contained 12 apartments. Seven buildings were erected and made it to the external construction stage of having felt paper and house wrap which, as you can see below, doesn't last that long when exposed to the weather.

If they had at least put roofs (shingles) on each of these buildings they could have possibly stayed unfinished for a little longer. Of course, exposure to sunlight, wind or driving rain causes house wrap to grow brittle and lose protection after only several months. So, even better, if they could have put a roof on each one of them AND finished the outsides with siding the whole insides could have been left unfinished and they would have lasted for quite a while in that condition.

It appears these seven units were erected simultaneously but after seeing what happens when financing falls through on a large project like this, it seems it would be better to complete one building at a time or at least have a strategy to build them in multiples of twos or threes so that there would be enough money to get each phase to a completely weatherproof condition. If a builder doesn't get paid at least he can file some sort of a lien on a property that might be worth closer to its finished value (because of it being weatherproofed or "dried in") if sold at auction.

Sure, it may not be the builder's fault that the money from the developers ran out. How far into debt should a builder get in a situation like this before getting paid? Should they protect themselves by building one or two buildings at a time?

One of the articles below said they had already installed bathtubs and plumbing fixtures. Would this be the right thing to do before putting a roof on a building? I know different contractors and sub-contractors often work on projects like these and often at the same time but shouldn't the main goal of the builder in charge be to weatherproof the building as fast as possible?

Leave your comments and let us know what you think. If you are a builder we'd love to hear from you and get your thoughts.



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Here are some links to stories about this project which will give you more information:

http://www.myhorrynews.com/news/local/conway/article_1946deba-05ea-11e3-9ffd-0019bb30f31a.html

http://m.myhorrynews.com/news/local/conway/article_8f9c1a28-0f57-11e3-b092-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/02/15/3331525/conway-says-work-needs-to-restart.html

Florence County Council Meeting 01-16-2014

After clicking play there will be about 10 seconds of a black screen before the video intro starts. Meeting starts at 1:11 mark. Use control at bottom of video and drag to desired time.

• Short Agenda
• Full Agenda
• January 16, 2014
• 9:00 AM
• City County Complex, 180 N. Irby St, Room 803

Stephen "Steve" Warren Rowell, Gifted Musician 1957-2014

Stephen "Steve" Warren Rowell
1957-2014

Stephen "Steve" Warren Rowell, 57, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 6, 2014.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2014, in College Park Baptist Church. Entombment will follow in Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 10, at Waters-Powell Funeral Home.

Steve was born in Florence, a son of June Collins Rowell and the late Robert J. Rowell.

He was a member of College Park Baptist Church. He was employed by Terminix and served the Florence community for over 20 years.

Steve found it easy to be a friend to everyone. He was a passionate musician. He was a professional guitarist and entertained the community as a band member for many years.

Survivors, in addition to his mother of Florence, include his son, Robert "Blake" Rowell of Florence; a sister, Angela Rowell McGartlin of Charleston; a brother, Robert Wade "Bobby" Rowell of Florence; special aunt, Joyce C. Spann and nephew, Wade C. Rowell; and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorials may be made to College Park Baptist Church, 1501 Third Loop Rd., Florence, SC 29505.

2013  New Years Eve at the Carolina Ranch House - Timmonsville, SC

                                 
Steve Rowell was a gifted musician who performed regularly at Timmonsville's "Carolina Ranch House" on Highway 76  east of Timmonsville, SC. (Click Carolina Ranch House link to see Steve play guitar.)

Carolina Ranch House - Timmonsville, SC (Formerly Lewallen's Furniture Co.)

Timmonsville mourns the passing of Mildred Powers as we celebrate her life of service

Mildred Alexander Powers, 86, of Hill Street in Timmonsville died in Agape Senior Care, Lexington, SC, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. 

Funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Timmonsville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tommy Bailey officiating.  The family will speak to visitors and friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. before the service at the church.                             

Timmonsville United Methodist Church on
the corner of  Brockington St and Byrd St

Interment will follow in Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville.

Mildred was born in the Philadelphia Community of Darlington County, the daughter of the late Joseph K. Sr. and Frances Hancock Alexander.

She was a member of Timmonsville United Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir for 50 years, the Chancel Choir, she was a member of the Hand Bell Choir, taught Sunday School, was a member of the United Methodist Women of the Church.

Byrd Cemetery on Layton Circle off
of US HWY 76 west in Timmonsville

She held a position on the Administrative Council, was former vice-president of the UMW. She was a youth group leader of the "World Friendship Girls."

She was a member of the Timmonsville Book Club. Mildred enjoyed oil painting, water colors, cooking and most music. 

Mildred worked for the Palmetto Center as the Admittance Counselor before retiring. 

Mildred was the wife of the late Edgar R. Powers. Surviving her are two daughters, Donna (Bill) Jerman, Lexington, SC, Sandy (Greg) Joye, Irmo, SC; four grandchildren, Wynn (Dana) Corley, Jonathan (Danyele) Gardner, Brooke (Will) Anthony and Kyle Joye; four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and 50 nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Timmonsville United Methodist Church, c/o Karen Keels, 1516 Pinehurst Road, Timmonsville, SC 29161.

 Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=mildred-alexander-powers&pid=168988110&fhid=4460#storylink=cpy

Henry Charles Anderson Sr. 1946-2014

Front - Henry Charles Anderson Sr. 1946-2014
(Back - Henry Charles Anderson, Jr.)

TIMMONSVILLE - Henry Charles Anderson, Sr. was 68 years old when he died on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at his residence.

A visitation service will be Wednesday evening, January 8th from 6pm to 8pm at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home.

Mr. Anderson was born in Bennettsville, SC, the son of Earl and Beverly Watson Anderson.

Henry served honorably in the US ARMY during the Vietnam Era. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW Post 10804. Henry worked as a heavy equipment operator with Weaver Construction Company.

Henry was engaged to Chrystal Elvis of Timmonsville. Children surviving him are his son, Henry Anderson, Jr of Timmonsville; two daughters, Tressa Hartley of  Myrtle Beach, SC, and Lynn (Richie) Vella, of Darlington.  He is also survived by, a brother, Edward (Connie) Anderson of Bennettsville, a sister, Susan (Donnie) Baker of Cheraw, SC and four much loved grandchildren, Tony Johnson, Kaitlyn Vella, Logan Anderson and Taylor Anderson.

The good folks at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC are assisting with the arrangements.