Clemson to Begin Downtown Corridor Revamp

City plans to improve walkability and accessibility in downtown area.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The City of Clemson, South Carolina is set to break ground on phase one of a downtown corridor project in the coming weeks. The plan aims to make the area more vibrant and pedestrian-friendly, with wider sidewalks, relocated crosswalks, and a reconfigured traffic pattern on Sloan Street.

Why it matters

As a college town, Clemson has seen increased foot traffic and demand for walkable downtown spaces. This project is part of the city's efforts to enhance the downtown experience and improve accessibility for both residents and visitors.

The details

Phase one of the project will start at Highway 93, with plans to rework intersections, add shorter crosswalks, and widen sidewalks on College Avenue from 4 feet to 16 feet. The city will also reverse the traffic direction on Sloan Street to only allow right turns onto College Avenue. Additional features include taller trees for shade, raised crosswalks, and a pedestrian plaza on Addison Lane with repaved streets, relocated dumpsters, and added greenery.

  • The city will break ground on phase one in the coming weeks.
  • Phase one is expected to be completed by August 2026.

The players

City of Clemson

The local government overseeing the downtown corridor revitalization project.

Nathan Hinkle

City of Clemson engineer, providing details on the planned improvements.

Clemson University

As a major presence in the city, the university is a key stakeholder in enhancing the downtown area.

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What they’re saying

“I think the biggest improvement or the biggest change that we're going to see out of this is just the continued growth of trying to make it easier for pedestrians to access downtown from Clemson University or to the other side of college on the 123 side.”

— Nathan Hinkle, City of Clemson engineer (WSPA)

What’s next

The city will first start reversing the traffic direction on Sloan Street as part of phase one.

The takeaway

Clemson's downtown corridor project aims to create a more walkable, vibrant, and accessible city center, catering to the needs of both residents and the large student population from the nearby university.