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Aiken Town Park redevelopment advances; developer says retail, apartments and park work moving into vertical construction
Summary
Southeastern, developer of the former Aiken Mall site now branded Aiken Town Park, told Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 that retail buildings are turning over, apartment buildings are under construction and the central park and amphitheater will see major work this spring.
Southeastern representatives updated Aiken City Council on Jan. 27 about work at the former Aiken Mall site, now being developed as Aiken Town Park. Jason Long, senior vice president for Southeastern, told council the project has progressed from demolition and site work into vertical construction.
Long said two of six planned retail buildings have been completed and occupied by tenants, with two additional retail buildings nearing turnover within 30–45 days. The developer is also rising two apartment buildings and a club building; Long said the multifamily component is the largest private investment on site, with a phased target occupancy in late 2025 and broader site completion expected in mid‑2026.
Work to finish the city‑oriented components — the central park, amphitheater and perimeter walking loop — is scheduled to resume in the near term. Long said site work crews were remobilizing for curb installation and landscaping, and amphitheater construction should be completed within about two months, with park finishes arriving in spring and summer.
On estimated project scale, Long and another Southeastern representative discussed order‑of‑magnitude costs. One exchange in the meeting placed the total private investment north of $40 million; the speaker said that figure “may not include some public improvements.” Long emphasized the park amenity will be central to attracting retailers and encouraging customers to “stay” for events rather than only shop.
Council members asked for details about tenant mix and pedestrian links. Long declined to name tenants ahead of their announcements, saying retail partners typically prefer to reveal those plans themselves; he indicated restaurants and retailers would be announced soon. He confirmed the central park will include an amphitheater, lawn, playground and a paved loop of roughly one mile around the perimeter to serve nearby neighborhoods.
Council members thanked the developer for the update and expressed optimism about the town‑center concept. The city’s role in park finishing work and public improvements will proceed through standard permitting and construction procedures; council did not vote on new expenditures during the update.
Clarifying details included: two retail buildings complete, two under construction and near turnover within 30–45 days; the developer estimating total private investment “north of $40,000,000” (figure presented in discussion and not an adopted city figure); central park loop described as just under a one‑mile paved walking trail; phased multifamily occupancy expected by late 2025 with overall multi‑phase completion mid‑2026.
