Revitalization Efforts To Continue Into 2010
September 21, 2009
Greenwood, SC - The City of Greenwood has been awarded new funding through the South Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
Under the awarded grant application, ten building facades are to be improved along Long Alley/Maxwell Avenue in Uptown Greenwood. These historic buildings have an average construction date of 1893. Each property presently has a main customer entrance from Main Street.
- Under the plan, the improvements could encourage dual use of the rear entrance for not only service access but also commercial activity.
- The remaining portion of the project calls for the approximately two acre City owned 200 space parking lot to be redeveloped with softening landscaping, new lighting, and paving.
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- “Downtowns are the heart and soul of any community,” said Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams. “The public and private investments made in Uptown over the last four years to implement the City Center Master Plan have played a role in 17 new or existing small businesses investing in Uptown Greenwood. This new project along Long Alley will only plant more seeds to encourage further private investment,” Adams concluded.
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Above - The row of ten buildings shown above along Long Alley will receive a facelift in 2010. The 200 space parking lot will also receive improvements.
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The grant award is $300,000. The City of Greenwood is committing a match of $170,000 for improvements to the parking area. Greenwood CPW is committing a match of $50,000 for public lighting improvements. Each of the ten property owners will have to commit a private match of 10% of the grant award.
“The Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works are pleased to continue our joint efforts to spur investment in Uptown Greenwood,” said CPW Commissioner Gene Hancock.
The City most recently partnered with Greenwood CPW, the Greenwood Metropolitan District, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, the Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation and the South Carolina Department of Commerce to complete extensive façade and streetscape improvements along Maxwell Avenue.
| In addition to this joint public/private project in 2010, the partners of Elliott Davis, owners of the Professional Building located at 340 Main Street, intend to make a significant investment in their office space over the next six months. |
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Elliott Davis joins others who have made office space upgrades in recent years, including Greenwood Resorts and Communities (formerly Greenwood Development) to the Greenwood Building at 104 Maxwell Avenue and Countybank to the former First Union Bank Building at 425 Main Street.
“The partners of Elliott Davis recognize the excitement and optimism about Uptown Greenwood’s future,” said Charles Schulze, partner in the Greenwood office. “The emergence of the Emerald Triangle Cultural Arts District and the construction of the new Greenwood County Library provide key anchors that will continue to encourage more private investment for years to come,” Schulze concluded.
“The revitalization effort in the City of Greenwood is an excellent example of efforts that can lead to increased economic development. Greenwood has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to revitalizing its downtown area and those efforts have already paid dividends in attracting a number of small businesses to the area. We are pleased Commerce could be a part of the efforts to improve both quality of life and economic opportunities in Greenwood,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
The Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) assists qualified counties in South Carolina’s rural areas by providing financial assistance for infrastructure and other activities that enhance economic growth and development.
For additional information on the Greenwood City Center Master Plan, visit www.uptowngreenwood.com or call (864) 942-8411.
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