Homelessness, a challenge for Seneca

There was general agreement during a Seneca meeting last night that Oconee’s largest city has a lot going for it—especially the success of city government’s push to return vitality to the business district downtown.  An outside company employed to compile Seneca’s next comprehensive plan has started gathering public feedback.  So far, the internet opportunity by Benchmark Consultants has drawn 250 responses from the public.  Last night’s meeting was a chance for the city’s planning commissioners to make suggestions on how the next, 10-year comprehensive plan is envisioned.  Besides a revitalized downtown, other Seneca strengths are seen as civic pride, a location on the shores of a major recreation lake, and proximity to a major university.  But Benchmark also wants to know Seneca’s challenges, and a few of the city officials offered their thoughts.  Planning Chairman Barry Duvall spoke with frankness when he said the city should address its growing problem homelessness.  And Ed Halbig said a good portion of the westbound traffic on 123 is headed to Wal-Mart’s outside city location and misses the downtown.