Uptown Greenwood A Great Location

Real estate agents will still say curb appeal is an essential ingredient when selling a house.

Location, location, location counts, but that first impression does, too.

But that curb appeal can be hurt quickly if the potential buyer walks out the back door and steps into a disaster zone. For the buyer, it's the total package that sells.

That is why what Uptown Greenwood businesses have done in conjunction with the city is impressive and noteworthy. Much of Uptown has, throughout the years, been given a wonderful makeover. Facades facing Main Street were vastly improved. The median is kept clean and green, sidewalks are dotted with trees, plants and benches. Lighting, parking, curbing and crosswalks have been improved.

It is and has been a continuing process as funds have been available and as owners have exhibited initiative. Oregon and Maxwell avenues are among the more recently improved areas that have transformed Uptown, along with the newly paved city parking lot. And with those improvements has come more traffic. Not through traffic so much, but rather traffic that has made the back side of Main Street along Maxwell Avenue a real destination spot. As such, the exteriors of businesses dotting Long Alley stood out as in need of a makeover.

Nine buildings that back up to Long Alley and are highly visible to travelers along Maxwell Avenue as they head into town have now been transformed into works of art that would be the envy of many a city or town. Visitors will not only be wowed by the overall attractiveness of Main Street's facades, but will also find Greenwood knows how to dress up and look its best, whether it's seen from the front or back.

The businesses look so good, in fact, they had a special day for visitors to, like family, use the back door. The Welcome to Our Backdoor sale Saturday was a great way to showcase the improvements made.

Well done, city and merchants. You have, once again, shown pride in Greenwood and given residents added reason to be proud of Uptown.

If you missed Saturday's event, that's OK. No doubt the merchants will probably be glad to have you walk past their back doors to take a look at their fresh Long Alley facades. And while you're at it, be sure to go around to the front door, slip in and tell them what a great improvement they have made.