Here is a recap of the Sept. 23 meeting of Greenville City Council.
Approved: Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood master plan
A new master plan has been created for the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood located south of downtown Greenville. Public input helped guide the plan’s creation by city planning staff over the last several months.
Council unanimously approved the new Haynie-Sirrine Master Plan which will replace the neighborhood’s outdated plan adopted in 2002. City staff also plan to rezone the neighborhood under the Greenville Development Code next year.
The new master plan outlines strategies to balance new development with preserving the existing neighborhood. Some of the plan’s key recommendations include affordable housing, traffic mitigation, infrastructure improvements, recreation opportunities and more.
Initial approval: Projects receiving South Carolina Appropriations Act funding
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to appropriate $4.5 million for two capital projects. The funding comes from the state of South Carolina FY 2024-25 Appropriations Act.
Approximately $2.25 million will be allocated for the East North Street Gateway project. Pedestrian safety improvements such as wider sidewalks and safer crosswalks will be completed along the corridor along with traffic flow upgrades.
The city also plans to construct a pedestrian bridge over Verdae Boulevard for the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. The new bridge received $2.25 million in state funding bringing the project’s total budget to $5.65 million.
Council also gave initial approval to appropriate $1.05 million from the South Carolina FY 2024-25 Appropriations Act for two community center projects. Approximately $500,000 will be allocated to renovate the West Greenville Community Center.
The city’s renovation project for the Nicholtown Community Center also received $550,000 in state funding. The additional funding will increase the project’s budget to $4.94 million.
Initial approval: $3.1 million for public space and safety improvements
Council gave initial approval to appropriate $3.1 million in state funding to four public space and safety improvement projects. The funding comes from the South Carolina FY 2023-24 budget.
Approximately $1.88 million will be allocated to improve and reconfigure the intersection at Pendleton and Vardry streets. The project also includes completing a lane reduction along Pendleton Street and other safety improvements.
The remaining state funding will be allocated to:
- Pedestrian safety action plan, $163,855
- Downtown bypass, $557,429
- Stone Avenue corridor, $499,656
Update: Greenville Arena District
Council received an update from the Greenville Area District, the owner and operator of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, during its work session. In fiscal year 2024, the arena had a $129 million gross impact. The arena hosted 239 commercial and nonprofit events and had a total attendance of 673,000 people.
A new master plan is being currently developed for the arena, detailing future renovation and expansion plans. Beth Paul, the arena’s general manager, said the final deliverables for the master plan are scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
Read more about the master plan
Additional items
- Council approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into a non-binding agreement with M Peters Group to sell and redevelop Greenville City Hall.
- Final approval was given by council to sell the Greenville City Municipal Court property to 426 N. Main LLC for $4 million.
- Council gave initial approval to appropriate up to $5 million to repay the Greenville Transit Authority’s operating expenses.
- Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend the Greenville Development Code with recommendations from its annual review process.
- Greenville City Manager shared that the Greenville Zoo earned reaccreditation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
