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Center City Master Plan
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In 2003, Greenwood embarked on a downtown redevelopment planning process. The “need for a clearly defined city center and outdoor gathering space” and the fact that downtown Greenwood was “highly over saturated” with professional office space were concerns expressed by local citizens. Additionally, some of the key downtown cultural assets, such as the Community Theatre and Museum, were in severe decline. The final redevelopment report, entitled The Greenwood City Center Master Plan, identified the need to establish a cultural center as an economic catalyst for new investment. The Emerald Triangle (Greenwood being the “Emerald City”) is a nine-acre triangular shaped area in the heart of downtown. In five short years since the master plan’s adoption, over $13 million dollars has been invested or committed to public projects within The Emerald Triangle. In April 2006, the restored Greenwood Federal Building opened as the Arts Center, a 25,000 square foot facility that includes an art gallery and reception hall. In February 2007, the renovated Greenwood Community Theatre opened, a 300-seat performance venue. The Museum reopened in September 2008 with new interactive exhibits that celebrate Greenwood's rich history. Also in 2009, streetscape improvements and the restoration of the facades for 26 buildings within The Emerald Triangle has been completed. With these public investments, the first private investments are now being made in downtown, demonstrating that an entrepreneurial spirit is developing in downtown Greenwood. All of this hard work and planning has taught Greenwood that great downtowns do not just happen--they must be orchestrated and every community partner must be involved!
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| In 2002, the US Department of Interior announced the decommissioning of the City’s nearly 100-year-old Federal Building. The 25,000 square foot Georgian-style building, located in the heart of downtown on Main Street, offered a perfect home for the arts. In February 2006, the Arts Center at the Federal Building opened. Renovations cost $2.2 million, of which $1.75 came from the Self Family Foundation, a $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant from the SC Department of Commerce, and the remainder from community donations to the Emerald Triangle Capital Campaign Fund. The facility includes a regional visitor’s center, a 3,300 square foot gallery, 150-seat reception hall, catering kitchen, conference rooms, and outdoor performance courtyard. Over the past year, 16,000 individuals have accessed the facility for receptions, gallery showings, weddings, art classes, and community meetings. |
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| The Greenwood Community Theatre reopened in February 2007 after a $1.2 million dollar renovation. Funding included $800,000 from the Emerald Triangle Capital Campaign Fund, $350,000 from a 2% City of Greenwood Hospitality Tax, and $50,000 from an SC Arts Commission grant. The renovations allow the 300 seat Theatre to expand upon their previous offering of six shows per year with a forum for seminars, travel shows, and the showing of a film series. |
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| The Museum reopened in September 2008 after a year long renovation. Funding included a $396,000 HUD Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Grant. The renovated space allows the Museum to expand their display offerings and develop a conference room. The combined conference room space of the Museum, Theatre, and Arts Center allows Greenwood to attract regional conferences. |
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In July 2007, the first renovated private building in the Emerald Triangle has received its certificate of occupancy! National/International photographer and Greenwood native jon o. holloway will celebrate the grand opening of his new gallery space at 146 Maxwell Avenue. The building, originally constructed in 1901 and previously an auto parts store, will be used for jon's gallery space and a rentable 2nd floor event space (picture below). Read this article in the July 8, 2007 Index Journal regarding jon's space.
The City Center Master Plan (pdf) also encourages a number of streetscape projects in downtown Greenwood. The following streetscape phases are currently in the planning or construction stages:
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Phase I
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South Main Entrance Gateway
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The South Main Entrance Gateway includes landscaping improvements in the old abandoned railroad right-of-way along South Main from the current location of the Inn on the Square to an area just north of the Old Greenwood High School Apartments. This project has been completed. A Transportation Enhancement Grant from the South Carolina Department of Transportation was awarded for this phase. City of Greenwood, Greenwood CPW, and UGDC partnered on this project.
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Phase II
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Crosswalks
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Pedestrian safety between the eastern and western sides of the Uptown Square is very important. The City is proposing to construct clearly marked, signaled pedestrian crosswalks at the intersections of Maxwell/Main, Oak/Main, and Court/Main. Project design for this phase is underway with construction proposed to be completed in the early fall of 2008. A Transportation Enhancement Grant from the South Carolina Department of Transportation has been award for this phase. The City of Greenwood is providing matching funds.
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Phase III
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Oregon Avenue
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This project was completed in early 2008. The streetscape project on Oregon transformed what was essentially a non-functional back alley into a pedestrian friendly thoroughfare and parking area for Uptown. Improvements included new infrastructure (water, sewer, electrical, and storm water), decorative pedestrian improvements, plantings, and street lighting. A Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) award was awarded for this phase from the South Carolina Department of Commerce for this project. Additional funding was made available from the Greenwood Metropolitan District, Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works, and the City of Greenwood.
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Phase IV
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Maxwell Avenue
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According to the City Center Master Plan, Maxwell Avenue itself represents an area in downtown Greenwood where the original architecture has been retained. The plan proposes the implementation of facade improvements and an attractive streetscape along Maxwell that are sensitive to the original historic character. These improvements will encourage the location of new retail or restaurant establishments along Maxwell Avenue. The City of Greenwood has been awarded a $934,763 Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce for this phase. In addition, funding has been made available from the Greenwood Metropolitan District, Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works, City of Greenwood, Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce, and UGDC.
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Phase V
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South Main Entrance Gateway
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Continuing upon the improvements begun in Phase I, the goal of this streetscape phase is to enhance the construction of the new Greenwood County Library and further visually extend the perceived boundary of the downtown business district by expanding the landscaped boulevard entrance of the downtown south along Main Street (US 25). A Transportation Enhancement Grant from the South Carolina Department of Transportation has been award to Greenwood County for this phase. The City of Greenwood is providing matching funds. Construction for this phase should begin in the summer of 2010.
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Phase VI
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Long Alley Facade and Maxwell Parking Lot Redevelopment
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Continuing upon the improvements completed in Phase IV along Maxwell Avenue, Phase VI includes facade upgrades on Long Alley and upgrades to the city’s 200 space surface parking lot on Maxwell. The City of Greenwood has been awarded a Rural Infrastructure Grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce for this phase. In addition, funding has been made available by Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works and City of Greenwood. Work has begun on this phase and should be completed towards the end of 2010.
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New Greenwood County Library
| The adopted Greenwood City Center Master Plan also proposes the construction of a new 60,000 square foot Greenwood County Library at the old Winn-Dixie site ( 600 South Main Street shown proposed in red in design to the right ). In November of 2006, the Greenwood County voters approved a 1-cent capital sales tax to provide up to $10 million dollars to construct the new library. The Friends of the Greenwood County Library is presently assisting the Library to obtain the remaining funding to construct the proposed facility. Craig, Gaulden, and Davis developed the proposed site renderings shown below. Presently, Davis and Floyd Engineers, Inc. is developing site plans for the project. The new library will play a critical role in the implementation of the Greenwood City Center Master Plan, as it will provide an anchor for redevelopment of Greenwood's downtown! To learn more about the progress of the library construction, please visit the library construction page. |
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