Exciting Developments in Greenville as City Council Approves Major Parking and Redevelopment Projects

Exciting Developments in Greenville: City Council Meeting Recap

Greenville Takes Steps Towards Improving Parking in the West End

In a friendly meeting on October 14, the Greenville City Council took some significant steps to tackle the ongoing issue of public parking in the bustling West End. The council, showing a united front, unanimously approved a non-binding Letter of Intent to team up with RocaPoint Partners, the developers behind the ambitious $1 billion County Square project.

So, what’s on the agenda? The plan includes the construction of a nifty 400-space public parking garage right on Howe Street! This garage is set to be a part of a broader parking strategy designed to enhance accessibility in the West End area. Hoping to connect this new garage with Augusta Street, a pedestrian bridge will also be included in the designs. It’s all about making life easier and more convenient for residents and visitors alike!

Mayor Knox White expressed excitement about this project, noting that it’s a crucial piece of the city’s parking plan, which aims to incorporate multiple parking locations in the area. The city council plans to review an ordinance for funding this project at a later date. Work on the parking garage is expected to wrap up by February 2026. With all these positive changes on the horizon, it looks like the West End is gearing up for a bright future!

Revitalizing Old Sites: The Woven Project

But that’s not all! During the work session, the council also discussed another exciting initiative—a redevelopment project at an abandoned textile mill site in the Village of West Greenville. The proposed project, dubbed Woven, involves an estimated investment of $90 million and will be constructed across 13 adjacent parcels located at 1279 Pendleton St. Work is set to kick off in December 2024 and is expected to be completed by March 2027.

The developer, Woodfield Development, is aiming to have the property certified as an abandoned textile mill under the South Carolina Textile Communities Revitalization Act. This designation is quite beneficial, as it provides significant tax credits—specifically, 25% of qualified rehabilitation expenses. With approximately $85 million in expected qualified expenditures, this project is shaping up to be a serious economic boost for the area.

Greenville Gateway: A New Mixed-Use Project

Moreover, the city council also took a look at another potential development—a $130 million mixed-use project known as Greenville Gateway. This endeavor will revolve around the site of the former Greenville Memorial Auditorium, located at 250 N. Church St. While the auditorium itself was demolished back in 1997, the massive 50,000-square-foot basement has been left untouched and is now poised for transformation.

Similar to the Woven project, NR Investments, the developer behind Greenville Gateway, is seeking to have the site certified as an abandoned building under the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act. If council approves this certification, the project could also benefit from tax credits on rehabilitation expenses, which are projected to exceed $21 million. The timeline for commencement and completion mirrors that of Woven, with construction set to start in December 2024 and wrap up in March 2027.

The Road Ahead for Greenville

As we can see, the Greenville City Council is actively committed to revitalizing our city and addressing the needs of our community. With new parking facilities and exciting redevelopment projects on the way, it’s clear that our lovely city is positioning itself for a vibrant and prosperous future. Stay tuned, Greenville—great things are coming our way!