Changes Coming to Downtown Greenville
A project that’s been close to 20 years in the making is finally seeing some concrete strides forward. The RiverPlace Project along the Reedy River in Downtown Greenville will feature restaurants, fountains, condominiums, office space and retails businesses.
Developers, city leaders and many Greenville residents are excited about the new project, but some still have concerns.
Plans to bring an entirely new look to the West End of Greenville has many people praising the RiverPlace Project.
According to Dorothy Dowe, who lives in Greenville, "It used to be you wouldn't walk past the Peace Center, there wasn't any commerce to come to...."
But thanks to a vision back in 1985, the RiverPlace Project, showcasing new buildings businesses and a four story fountain is in the works.
The man with that first vision, Tommy Wyche says, "What I envisioned it was a mixed use with a spectacular water feature and that's what we got."
The prospect of more business and more people, not only downtown, but in the expanding West End, is bringing a smile to many faces.
Greenville resident, Cameron Bell says, "I think especially down at this end of Greenville, they really need some stuff, I think it'll bring a lot of attraction."
Roger Curtis, owner of Spill The Beans agrees, "Foot traffic is what feeds out business, and the more people that are down in the West End, they're going to stop in."
But
not all business owners are speaking highly of the project, since it
may mean losing their historic building. "I'm
all for development, but I believe we need to be a part of it, we've
been there for 60 years and if we're not safe in our area, if we're not
safe and a part of the development, it's just a shame,” says business
owner, Billy Mitchell.
As the
West
End
gets
ready to move forward with this project, many are looking forward to what
it will soon bring.
"It's good and it brings in tourism which is helpful to the community, any money spent downtown is good for this particular area,” says Dowe.
As for Curtis and Spill The Beans, "We don't like the day to day construction because it hurts our business right now, in the short term, but in the long term, it's worth it."
A court date is set for mid-February to discuss the historic buildings, including Billy Mitchell’s business, along Main Street and what will be done with them as this project moves forward.
There are three phases to the $65 million project. The first should be completed by July 2005.