WELCOME TO WOODRUFF
A WIN 4 EDUCATION
Spartanburg School District 4 Voters Pass Referendum To Build New Woodruff High School.
There were no guarantees that Woodruff voters would approve a $100 million plan to build a new high school in response to the community’s ongoing population boom. In fact, District 4 Superintendent Dr. Rallie Liston considers the bond referendum’s passing something of a miracle.
“We’re talking about $100 million,” Liston said. “That’s hard for me to even say around here, much less get it passed. We were asking for a lot of money and in a down economy. I tell folks, getting this passed was like the Miracle on Ice.”
Liston said he’s exceptionally proud of and grateful for the voters’ 52% to 48% August 2022 decision to pass the referendum, knowing that the resulting tax increases will be impactful for many. But, he said, the people of the district realized the dire need that population increases have created, and they stepped up to ensure a quality future for the community they love.
“This is for the children,” Liston said. “You may not have a child in school now, but it’s going to affect the quality of life where you live. Someone paid it forward for us. And it’s time for us to pay it forward for the next generation.”
The district is desperate for more classroom space as Woodruff is projected to have more than 5,000 new homes built. All of that development leads to an expected student increase of about 2,500, which would nearly double current enrollment. The district is already at capacity.
Plans are being developed for the new school, which will still be called Woodruff High School. Construction is expected to begin in April 2023, with a target move-in date of fall 2025. Kindergarten and first grade students will remain at Woodruff Primary. Woodruff Elementary will house second and third graders. Fourth- and fifth-grade students will move to the current Woodruff Middle School, while sixth, seventh and eighth grade will move to the current high school.
To cover the referendum, taxpayers will see property tax increases of $120 per $100,000 of fair market value. Liston is hopeful that factors like BMW’s recent announcement to bring jobs to Woodruff will reduce the burden on taxpayers over the next several years. Even still, he does not discount the significance of this tax increase.
“It was a tough thing for the community to have to tackle,” Liston said. “But it was the right thing to do, and I think it speaks volumes about the people here.”
HOUSING BOOM
Woodruff Is Seeing a Wave of Development
The City of Woodruff, which had been dealing with economic declines since the textile mills closed in the late 1980s, now finds itself in the midst of a surging economy fueled by housing developments, increased population, new jobs and a voter-approved $100 million bond referendum.
All told, more than 4,000 new rooftops are coming to Woodruff through a series of developments. Five years ago, the city’s population was 4,000. Five years from now, it’s projected to be 18,000.
And while the growth is explosive, City Manager Lee Bailey said that it was expected.
“It’s all about a vision,” Bailey said. “We had the vision to grow. And we had to be very strategic in what and when we implemented to allow and attract that growth.”
That vision, Bailey said, began in 2016.
“When the mills closed, we became very stagnant,” he said. “We hadn’t had a subdivision built in the city since 1992. In 2016, we set out to expand and partner with developers. We knew that if we could land one development, others would see the potential of what we have, and they would follow.”
And follow they have. Bailey and his team now face the challenges of managing unprecedented momentum.
All this new housing has meant a near doubling of the public school district’s student enrollment. In August 2022, voters passed a $100 million bond referendum to build a new Woodruff High School.
And in October 2022, BMW Group announced plans to build a $700 million new high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff. The plant is expected to create 300 new jobs.
“The future was bright prior to BMW,” Bailey said. “But now, our future is electric.”
Bailey said that city leaders are working hard to maintain Woodruff’s culture even with such dramatic changes.
“We do not want to be someone else,” he said. “We want to be Woodruff. Things will change a little bit, but we will still be the same community with the same values that we’ve always had.”
TIME WELL SPENT
How To Enjoy a Night Out in Downtown Woodruff
Whether you’re on a date, hanging out with friends or looking to entertain the whole family, downtown Woodruff is packed with opportunities to create a memorable night out.
With recent housing developments, consistent increases in population and new employers coming to town, Woodruff is enjoying unprecedented momentum. And the community’s downtown is more vibrant than ever.
We caught up with Van Broad, a business development consultant with the City of Woodruff, to discuss some options for a night
out on the town. Broad’s following recommendations are by no means a complete list of things to do or places to go. Rather, these are a handful of highlights. Among the area’s strengths, Broad said, is the incredibly diverse array of choices. It’s not a stretch to say that Downtown Woodruff has a little something for everyone.
“I’m astounded at the nighttime and late-night opportunities that the city offers,” Broad said. “A lot of small towns close up at 5 in the afternoon. Woodruff does not.”
Block 224 224 S. Main St.
The epicenter of Woodruff’s revived downtown is a multi-purpose, open-air space that includes live music, a fire pit and a great area to socialize.
Wolverine Axe Throwing 216 S. Main St.
This is a great option for a lively group looking to have some fun and relieve any built-up tension. With every throw, the stress fades and the good times fly.
A quick word of advice: “Hit Wolverine before you go out and drink,” said Broad.
McKinney Park
Options abound in Woodruff’s McKinney Park. There’s an amphitheater with outdoor entertainment and seating for approximately 1,000 people, a playground, a splash park, concessions and more.
“If you’ve not been to McKinney Park, you’ve got to check it out,” Broad said. “It’s just a beautiful space that the City has invested in for the renaissance of downtown.”
Claudio’s 206 A S. Main St.
Foodies will love this spot for fresh seafood, quality steaks, house-made soups, craft cocktails, and carefully selected wines.
Rotties 221 Biergarten 228 S. Main St.
Looking to grab a beer? Rotties 221 has 24 taps of craft beer to go along with wine, soda, sparkling water, appetizers, sandwiches, salads and desserts.
The Wine Gallery 220 S. Main St.
Here’s a relaxing environment with an assortment of wines by the glass or bottle to go along with beer, cocktails and a food menu. Bring a group to one of their tasting parties!
Tap Three 102 S. Main St.
Great beer, great food, a friendly staff and a fun atmosphere. What’s not to love? There’s even regular live music.
Scoops on Main 222 S. Main St.
Who doesn’t want high-quality ice cream served in freshly made waffle cones? And they’re open until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
To learn more about the exciting nightlife in downtown Woodruff,
visit www.cityofwoodruff.com
