Lexington 2 will pay $4.7 million for roughly 28 acres of property in Cayce to build a combined district office and performing arts center.

It will be the final project in a $225 million, voter-approved construction plan.

The 28.165-acre parcel, on the corner of the 12th Street Extension and Saxe Gotha Road, is adjacent to Dominion Energy’s offices in Cayce.

The property was purchased for $4,739,250 from The Donald R. Tomlin, Jr. Special Master Trust, which represented the former South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., now Dominion Energy.

The current district office’s 10 acres and 1970s-era office building at 715 Ninth Street in West Columbia are under contract in a previously announced sale, expected to close in coming weeks.

Construction on the center could begin as soon as April 2021, with completion estimated some time in 2023.

The estimated cost of the combined arts center and district office, roughly $40 million, is expected to be covered by existing construction funds, as well as proceeds from the sale of the current district office property.

Springdale property

The district also purchased a nearly 27-acre site in Springdale.

The 26.52 acres are at 3028-3211 Platt Springs Road, about a half-mile from the intersection of Platt Springs and Wattling roads.

The 12 separate parcels were listed for $1.5 million, and the district paid $1.3 million in capital funds.

The property will be used in conjunction with a long-range capital improvements plan being developed by district administrators for the next 10-, 20- and 30-plus years, as well as future needs for schools not replaced as part of the $225 million, voter-approved construction plan.

“Tracts in our school district large enough for schools are extremely difficult to find, particularly as there are efforts to attract new residential and business development,” said Superintendent James Jr.

The $225 million construction plan in Lexington 2 has added 3 schools and upgraded others across the district.