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Council approves downtown sale for new toy store, advances land sale for South Hartsville housing and signs off on tourism allocations
Summary
Council approved sale of 146 W. Carolina Ave to a Firefly Toys & Games owner for a downtown location, advanced a first‑reading land sale in South Hartsville intended for housing, and approved accommodations tax distribution and several routine property/lease ordinances.
The Hartsville City Council approved multiple items affecting downtown development, housing and tourism funding.
Firefly Toys & Games: Council approved ordinance 4495 to authorize sale of tax map number 05603046 (146 W. Carolina Ave). Jasper Hbert, owner of Firefly Toys & Games, said the downtown site will host family‑focused programming including free demo games, community events and an arcade; Eric Rogan (store manager) said the Columbia‑based business does outreach with libraries and schools. Council approved the sale on final reading.
South Hartsville land sale (first reading): Council gave first reading to ordinance 4496 to authorize the sale of two parcels on East Marian and East Chaplan Circle for potential townhomes or single‑family construction. The manager said the parcels are being offered to a developer who has expressed interest in building three to four units; council discussed a nominal transfer price reported as $5 per parcel and emphasized the goal of spurring development in a part of town that has lacked investment.
Tourism and accommodations tax: Council approved resolution 062502 distributing state accommodations tax revenues based on recommendations from the accommodations board. Members discussed the statutory 30% allocation to the city tourism office, how awards are evaluated (heads/bed nights data) and the need for clearer applicant data on hotel stays; council approved the recommended distributions after discussion.
Other approvals: Council approved an annual renewal lease for an alleyway (ordinance 4493) and passed a resolution (062503) to name the Berley Park outdoor basketball court for Macia McQueen Haynesworth Sr.
Vote summary and next steps: Most items passed by voice vote during the meeting; the land sale in South Hartsville passed first reading and will return for subsequent readings as required by ordinance procedure. Staff will coordinate closings, developer negotiations and any follow‑up documentation required for tourism awardees and property transfers.
