More Uptown Renovations To Begin
December 21, 2008
By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal Senior Staff Writer
Greenwood, SC - For some time now, numerous buildings in Uptown Greenwood, particularly on and around Maxwell Avenue, have been receiving a facelift as part of the facade improvement program that will eventually see 23 Uptown buildings get aesthetic upgrades.
| As the second phase of the project, which has seen facade improvements to McCaslan’s Book Store, Gentleman’s Choice and several other buildings, is nearly complete, phase three of the program is set to get under way shortly after the new year. |
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The lower block of Maxwell Avenue houses the next group of buildings to receive aesthetic improvements as part of the Uptown facade project. (Staff photo by Chris Trainor) | City of Greenwood assistant city manager Charlie Barrineau said eight of the 11 buildings on the lower block of Maxwell Avenue (between Monument Avenue and Edgefield Street) are participating in the facade project and are next in line to get upgrades.
“The average construction date of these buildings is 1905,” said Barrineau, adding he expects facade work to be completed on the lower block of Maxwell in March.
The assistant city manager said improvements will include paint removal, new windows, new awning, new storefront and more.
Barrineau also reviewed the funding structure of the ongoing facade project.
“A grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Grant Program is providing up to $20,000 per building facade,” Barrineau said.
“(Each building’s) owner is required to match that amount with 10 percent or $2,000 and (further fund) any improvements over $22,000,” Barrineau added. “A number of owners are expending amounts over $22,000.”
Aside from the facade project, a streetscape improvement project is also under way on the lower block of Maxwell, a portion of which is funded by the aforementioned grant.
Barrineau said the new streetscape will include sidewalks that meet current code requirements and pedestrian level street lighting, along with improved landscaping.
The streetscape work is set to continue until April 2009.
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