St. Stephen opens new town hall, court and library to boost downtown

St. Stephen leaders and community members held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for a new town hall, magistrate court, and library building located at 113 Ravenell Drive, according to Live 5 WCSC. The 14,500-square-foot facility consolidates town business, court functions, and library services under one roof.

The project cost nearly $4.5 million and was funded by an ARPA grant and county tax dollars, WCSC reported. The building includes clerk space, offices, service windows, a large courtroom, reading and computer areas, and a flexible multi-use space.

Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb noted that the town's previous facilities were too small to accommodate public meetings, and he expressed hope that public investment would attract private investment to the area, as reported by WCSC.

St. Stephen Mayor John Rivers and Town Councilperson Michelle Stosick emphasized the need for downtown revitalization and controlled growth to create jobs, improve schools, and encourage business development, according to ABC News 4 WCIV.

Local businessman John Twyman has invested in downtown buildings, but challenges remain with privately owned, decaying properties and a lack of capital among some owners, ABC News 4 WCIV said. The new facility is seen as a first step toward encouraging further growth and investment in St. Stephen.