The Hartsville City Council recently moved forward with plans that could bring a Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) campus to downtown Hartsville. This week, the council approved a resolution to negotiate the potential sale of a 10-acre property near Wild Hart Brewing to the college. The vote was 6-1 in favor, with Mayor Dan Askins casting the sole dissenting vote.
City Manager Daniel Moore explained to the council that the resolution authorizes him to formally engage in negotiations with FDTC regarding the potential sale and conveyance of the property, located at Fourth Street and Railroad Avenue. He emphasized that this action does not finalize the sale but initiates the negotiation process. The city aims to secure the best possible terms, including purchase price, development commitments, timelines, and infrastructure considerations.
FDTC has expressed interest in investing $30 million in the proposed downtown campus. This recent development follows a May 13, 2025, resolution where the council supported a downtown Hartsville campus for FDTC, envisioning it alongside the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics and Coker University. Since that time, FDTC secured funding at its August meeting and authorized negotiations with the city for the property purchase.
Council member Teresa Mack noted that the concept of an educational corridor for this project has been a long-standing goal, intended to be completed with the addition of FDTC. However, Mayor Askins voiced concerns, suggesting the land was designated for housing and commercial development in the 2025 Master Plan. He argued that the site would be better utilized for mixed-use housing options not currently available in Hartsville, which would also generate property taxes for the city. Askins suggested FDTC consider an alternative location in Hartsville.
Moore indicated that negotiations could include provisions for continued mixed-use development on a portion of the property, potentially allowing for both the technical college campus and complementary private development. Rainey Knight, speaking on behalf of FDTC, highlighted that the downtown location would enhance accessibility to educational opportunities for Hartsville residents, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the three educational institutions.
