Greenville Paladin

Italy has worse healthcare than the United States; therefore, it has a higher mortality rate. There are facts and myths about COVID-19 that are debatable by experts who know what is going on and "experts" who have no clue what is going on. When the number of COVID-19 cases decreases and normal activity resumes, life continues.

Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order #2020-10 yesterday, Tuesday, 17 March. On-premises consumption at food-service establishments ("restaurants") is suspended from Wednesday, 18 March, through Tuesday, 31 March.

The decrease in the number of failing retailers and restaurants could shift space for commercial use to office, residential, and entertainment uses. Dense office and residential development can fill BridgeWay Station quickly.

The recent rehabilitation of Interstate 85 from mile markets 69 to 77 has increased traffic on Business 85. If Interstate 85 shuts down for an accident, Business 85 is open. A significant development such as Milliken Village will increase traffic on Intersate 585 and Business 85.

CSX adds a connection line between Greenville and Piedmont and between Fountain Inn and Laurens. The connection line will help industrial development with rail options across southern Greenville County. Is Interstate 385 exit 39 a candidate to become a diverging diamond interchange?

I noticed on the proposed site plan an exit ramp would be added on Business 85 southbound and University Way would be truncated. University Way should be relocated to tie in with Millken Village, or it needs to be eliminated completely. Business 85 exits 5 need improvement. Exit 5B northbound should become a directional flyover from Business 85 northbound to Interstate 585 northbound and exit 5A southbound should become a directional flyover to Interstate 585 southbound. The present exit 5B northbound would become exit 5C for Milliken and North Campus Boulevard.

A supermarket, either Ingle's or Publix, is announced downtown. (Ingle's Markets still owns property on John B. White Sr. Boulevard where Ingle's #48 operated.) Publix announces additional stores in Spartanburg County. Boiling Springs and a second Spartanburg store have been hot in speculation. Ingle's returns to Lyman with an additional store. (Ingle's #93 operated on Inman Road before relocating to Duncan in 2003. It was succeeded by Sav-Mor #893. Sav-Mor #893 had a brief lifespan.) Ingle's #38 on East Main Street in Spartanburg expands and rebuilds. Plans for Milliken Village extend beyond its location. Changes to site plans are possible.

Is the City of Spartanburg in position to annex to become larger?

Seneca 130 Plaza is a 63,200-square-foot retail center located at the northwest quadrant of Rochester Highway and Mill Road in the City of Seneca in Oconee County, South Carolina. It was constructed and opened in 2001. Seneca 130 Plaza was previously anchored by BI-LO #5419, 115 Rochester Highway, Seneca, South Carolina 29672-2402. BI-LO #5419 closed in April 2018. Its lease was acquired by Publix Super Markets. Publix Super Markets plans to open a 48,900-square-foot Publix supermarket at Seneca 130 Plaza in mid-2021. The former BI-LO #5419 would be torn down to make way for new construction. Seneca 130 Plaza rendering Seneca 130 Plaza site plan

I read in the Daily Memphian from 2018 a 30,000-square-foot grocer/market was in consideration for Union Row. I do not see supermarket Kroger opening 30,000-square-foot stores. Supermarket Publix has a 28,000-square-foot prototype for its Publix supermarkets and a 22,000-square-foot prototype for its GreenWise Market specialty organic/gourmet grocery stores. It has been in speculation to enter the Memphis area for years.

This Norfolk Southern line previously connected to Greenwood and onto Aiken. It connects to CSX south of Piedmont. It has light usage.

I look forward to not using the loop incarnation of Interstate 85 Exit 51-B. Merging onto Interstate 385 southbound was bad.

I would not mind seeing inclusion of community retail (i.e. grocery, pharmacy) and a hotel/convention space at Haywood Mall.

I have read posts from approximately three weeks ago regarding height restrictions in the redevelopment of Greenville County Square. There are not many opportunities remaining in Greenville's downtown for the realization of high rise buildings. High rises can help perpetuate density development for residences, offices, lodging, etc. Low rise developments staled out.

Publix is hot in speculation to locate on John B. White Sr. Boulevard.

Storage facilities are among several businesses the City of Spartanburg needs to be strict in approving or denying. The site could be used for better purposes (i.e. supermarket).

The former Carmike/AMC theater on John B. White Sr. Boulevard is being demolished.

Verdae Village is nowhere close to NorthPointe. If I lived in Gower Estates or in Verdae, why would I want to drive all the way downtown to Harris Teeter when it is nearby on Laurens Road? Food Lion has acquired, since last year, five former BI-LO stores. Stores that opened in Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach are underachieving from what I have heard.

I have heard speculation of Harris Teeter and Publix having interest in a quantity of quality BI-LO stores remaining in South Carolina. Southeastern Grocers, parent company of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harvey's, and Winn-Dixie, has closed or announced the closure of 28 stores to date in 2019. Additional stores could close as leases expire or as underachieving stores cannot turnaround their performances.

Inner city stores that have issues with crime and theft usually close. I have read about a Publix supermarket in Jacksonville, Florida, that will close in December because of similar issues. Aldi and Lidl are not supermarkets. They do not have bakery, deli, meat/seafood, pharmacy, and produce/floral departments.

South Church Street does not need a limited assortment/discount grocer to replace a failed limited assortment/discount grocer.

Harris Teeter returning to Spartanburg would be a nice idea. Publix is overdue to open additional stores in Spartanburg and Spartanburg County. Boiling Springs and John B. White Sr. Boulevard have been warm in speculation.

Supermarket Harris Teeter #357 at NorthPointe will fill a need in the trade area. If Publix Super Markets was to open a GreenWise Market specialty organic/gourmet grocery store at North Hills on North Main, that would be nice.

Reidville is growing indeed. South Carolina Department of Transportation, Spartanburg County, and the Town of Reidville should expedite plans to widen Reidville Road to four lanes from South Carolina Highway 290 to the Greenville County line. (South Bennett's Bridge Road would be widened to four lanes from the Greenville County line to Woodruff Road.)

Limited assortment/discount grocer Save-A-Lot #24601, 550 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306-3306, closed in August. Aldi and Lidl are similar and open stores in better locations. How about a supermarket like Harris Teeter, Ingle's, or Publix? BI-LO is not going to open additional stores. Walmart Neighborhood Market could be a possibility, but Walmart has reduced or cancelled plans for opening new stores.