GvilleSC

Well, you have to draw from the whole community, the college scene just has to add to mix. Obviously festivals can't do it by themselves, but it's even more obvious that there's something lacking from these "events" that don't draw businesses to the area and further development...

I would have to disagree. Look at Greenville's Historic WestEnd District. It's now thriving and growing rapidly. One thing that all of DT Greenville offers is FREE PARKING on nights and weekends -- on the street and in garages across downtown. Festivals-- We do very well in that as well. Fall For Greenville is very popular among others. Columbia could do very well with festivals in those sections of DT with a festival during the fall or spring while USC is in-session. JMO

Just look at Greenville's success. Take the model and run with it. Just be creative and add your own twist to keep the identity of each city unique.

That's great about two more companies announcing! but what's a POP server?

Actually, we do park in the Richardson St garage, the W Washington St Deck, and even in the lot by Bank of America. BUT you have to understand First Pres is a huge congregation and needs lots of parking. Also, we want to have room to expand. Not just the church but ministries. Like the land across Academy from the Church's main property. It holds the Boy Scott Troop and several other programs sponsored or run or associated with the church. This is just speculation, but... It also helps them control what is built and exists around their property. I guess we should just be thankful it's not a bunch of run down buildings where crime and drugs can prosper in the heart of downtown???

I agree. Although I do go to First Presbyterian Church, and therefore I understand the position they are in, but I do think that the downtown churches are buying up too much property and just letting it sit. They ARE planning ahead and with such large congregations they will continue to need room to grow and park. BUT, First Pres. property touches Buncombe St property and Saint Mary's Property, and is close to Downtown Baptist. There's just a big blob of open space and in those blocks. Mainly they are parking lots.

While driving downtown today, I noticed a public hearing sign and was wondering what you guys know about it... if anything, which i'm sure someone does. It was along Main Street between Broad and McBee and also (i'm assuming it's the same property) along Falls/Spring St (which ever name that section boasts). Also, can someone refresh my memory, what is going on behing the Greenville Summit on the corner of McBee and Academy? Thanks

That would be quite neat. I wouldn't want it to be above ground though. JMO I would rather have the trolley plan because it would give you the opportunity to get off whenever you wanted, where you wanted and you would be able to see downtown. I think it would be great to use to get back to your car after walking Main Street. Nice and relaxing. and would add a nice, memorable little touch to the experience.

"What kind of trolley? A bus style one or one on rails?" It would be a bus style and have routes probably up and down Main St and then down Augusta... (or so I read a while back)

I just was reminded about this and thought that maybe one of you could help me out. What ever happened to the downtown trolly idea? I have filled out the questionaire online and read about possible routes in the Greeville News a while back, but it's seems to have gone cold. Has the city lost interest or is it being planned just suppressed from all of the other developments occuring. Just wondering...

I agree that a trail probably does do less for an economy... but in a case like Greenville's- is it really possible to use a railroad? With as many industries as we have, I don't think it's possible to connect each industry (or even several or some) up to tracks. With an industrial driven economy such as the Upstate's, it's too late to go back and take the 18-wheelers off the road.

I was just curious about what people thought: Should the city continue the feel of Main Street south to the WestEnd? or should they leave it the way it is with parallel parking and a center lane? I have mixed feelings. I would like to see the diagonal parking and two lanes continue infront of City Hall and down to Augusta St, but I also think that it sets the two areas apart and makes them two "districts" in downtown... I think that they should both have they own identity, but when the Main St feel stops, so do some people and they turn around...

I think that if it were restored and given an uplift, then it could be attractive and quite nice. But i'm with you. It's a single building by itself and honestly it would look silly next to a high rise or any other developement-only becuse it's alone. If it were up or down main st and in an area with other old buildings, go for it, SAVE IT, but not where it is now. JMO

I'm really excited to see more things happening at the campus and I look forward to seeing the master plan that should be released soon! I rode through there the other day. It's wonderful. I think that it would be cool if there were an exit off I-85 for ICAR. I can see the signs now and the amount of traffic clogging the lanes to get to work at the site... I would like to see something dramatic and that would have a presence and make passer-bys wonder, what is that that is so amazing???

Does anyone know exactly what is going on infront of the Liberty square buildings? From what I can see it looks like one small building being built? What is it and what is in the works?

This isn't really a NEW developement, but I found it to be exciting, since I happen to live in the Gower Estates area off Laurens Rd. Anyways, I read today in the Greenville Journal that Walmart may be "regreting the decision to leave Laurens Rd and is considering opening a store in the old Sam's Club and Goody's buildings... Also, there was news that the old Grand furniture store on Laurens may be turned into an auto dealership or something... It's great to see these empty big boxes filling up. I think that Old Time pottery's success has been a positive influence on this and I attribute a lot of it to the ICAR project and the other developements that are stemming from ICAR such as what is happening on the Hollingsworth property along Verdae Blvd... There is suppose to be an announcement of some sort on May 5th about the developement along Verdae- that should be interesting!