CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – A $2 million investment is bringing major infrastructure upgrades to Clemson’s Abel neighborhood.

The work began after the city identified safety concerns for children walking between the Littlejohn Community Center and Rotary Park, according to city officials. What started as an effort to create a safer route for pedestrians has expanded into a broader neighborhood revitalization project funded through a combination of city dollars and grants.

Improvements include roughly a half-mile of new sidewalks, 1,000 linear feet of water line replacements, 1,200 linear feet of stormwater infrastructure, new street lighting, fire hydrants and a new school bus shelter — the first in the neighborhood.

City engineer Nathan Hinkle said the upgrades are already improving safety and access.

“There’s now a safe route to be able to walk to the new school bus shelter that’s been installed,” Hinkle said. “Water gets off the roads quicker, so we don’t have any ponding of rainwater.”

Officials said the sidewalk project is the city’s largest single sidewalk investment to date by dollar amount.

Crews also replaced aging water lines, which city leaders say will reduce maintenance demands and improve reliability.

For residents, the changes are visible and long-awaited.

“It’s about time,” said resident JoEtta Gantt.

Gantt, who has lived in the Abel community for 43 years, said the new sidewalks are making a difference.

“The safety, and just having sidewalks … you don’t have to be worrying about a car coming to hit you around the curb,” Gantt said. “It’s just wonderful.”

Utility work is expected to wrap up in Summer 2026, with road repaving still ahead.

City leaders say the investment is part of a broader vision for the neighborhood. Future plans include the Black Heritage Trail in the area, adding another layer to ongoing revitalization efforts.

Officials say the project reflects an effort to maximize public dollars while addressing long-standing infrastructure needs and investing in the people who call the neighborhood home.

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