Since closing on the old Mt. Zion Institute in December, the owners of Red Clay Development continue to hammer away at getting the property secure and ready for an early summer construction start date.

Red Clay Development co-owner Frank Warlick said the company is working with a Columbia-based company to place a security fence around the building and board up portions of the school that are still accessible to vandals.

Initially, a security fence was to be put up in January so demolition could begin by early February and construction a few months later.

Even with the fence delay, Warlick is still making strides at getting the old school ready for use.

About two weeks ago he filed a petition with the planning commission requesting that the property be rezoned from R-1 (residential) to PDD (Planned Development District) mix use.

Billy Castle, Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator with the Town of Winnsboro, said even though there are not any properties in the town currently zoned PDD, previous planners added it to the zoning ordinance just in case it was needed for future development.

Along with the petition, Warlick provided Castle with a listing of possible uses for the building. Potential uses range from administrative offices to retailers.

Castle said he is in the process of going through the list, eliminating potential businesses that would not be suitable for the area.

“The town’s main concern is to protect the neighborhood, since it is still in close proximity of single family residences,” said Castle.

He went on to say that he is committed to working with the development company on the project, he just wants to make sure everything is handled correctly in the beginning.

The revised list will then be provided to Warlick for his review before it is presented to the planning commission. The planning commission will hold one public hearing on the rezoning request before making its recommendations to town council.

“The planning commission will make a recommendation,” Castle said. “Planning commissions do not make decisions. Council has the final decision on how the zoning goes.”

Warlick is also in the process of working with area technical schools and unemployment agencies to find general laborers for the project. He plans to advertise for a general contractor in May, with bids being awarded by the end of the month. Construction is scheduled to begin in June.

The entire construction process is expected to be completed within 12 months., Warlick said.