Simpsonville City Council on Tuesday night voted 4-3 to reopen Hunter Street by Aug. 8, 2026 and to direct City staff to conduct a study on potential traffic mitigation measures for the street. Councilman Chad O'Rear (Ward 1), who proposed the original resolution at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 27, 2026 (the original motion was to reopen Hunter Street to through traffic), motioned to amend his motion from "Reopening Hunter Street to Through Traffic" to Reopen Hunter Street to Through Traffic by Aug. 8, 2026 and direct City staff to conduct a study on potential traffic mitigation measures for the street. Council voted 4-3 to amend the main motion, after which Council voted 4-3 to approve the amended motion to reopen Hunter Street to Through Traffic by Aug. 8, 2026 and direct City staff to conduct a study on potential traffic mitigation measures for the street.

Votes of Yes for amending motion and final motion - Councilman O'Rear, Councilman Aaron Rupe (Ward 2), Councilman Tim Pinkerton (Ward 5) and Councilman Jerry Tuso (Ward 6)

Votes for No for amending motion and final motion - Councilmember Shannon Williams (Ward 3), Councilmember Sherry Roche (Ward 4) and Mayor Shewmaker.

It became somewhat technical. In effect, Council voted on the same motion twice, but the first vote was to amend the main motion, and once Council amended the main motion, Council had to return to the main motion (which Council just amended).

In anticipation of questions: 1) The reopening of Hunter Street by Aug. 8, 2026 is not contingent on the requested study or implementation of results from the requested study; 2) If such a study resulted in recommendations to mitigate traffic on Hunter Street once reopened, then Council would have to vote on such recommendations. If Council were to vote against such recommendations or if Council did not consider those recommendations at a Council meeting, Hunter Street would still open Aug. 8, 2026.●