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ECU Registar's office in the 2 story building...
Visitors Center downstairs of old Elbo property...
Insurance agency upstairs...
Campus Cookies in one of the smaller spots...with 2 more spots to fill...
Fitzgerald's opening this summer...
5 new store spaces being constructed at Georgetowne...
City Parking Deck getting started...
Rumors of a hotel development at corner of 4th and Cotanche...
Long Leaf Brewery coming to Dickinson...
Go-Science as well...
10th St Connector construction starting at end of the year...
And the City has two proposals for the old Theater...
ECU Registar's office in the 2 story building...
Visitors Center downstairs of old Elbo property...
Insurance agency upstairs...
Campus Cookies in one of the smaller spots...with 2 more spots to fill...
Fitzgerald's opening this summer...
5 new store spaces being constructed at Georgetowne...
City Parking Deck getting started...
Rumors of a hotel development at corner of 4th and Cotanche...
Long Leaf Brewery coming to Dickinson...
Go-Science as well...
10th St Connector construction starting at end of the year...
And the City has two proposals for the old Theater...
GTAC funding is in place as well, so the ball is rolling a little faster on that project now.
Over the past two years ago a concerted effort has been placed on economic development. A key focus has been downtown/uptown. The city, university and a number of community/business leaders have been the catalyst of this transformation. Over $80 Million in direct private investment. New restaurants, infrastructure, offices, retail, residential and hotel in the works. Entire blocks transformed. Cranes, concrete and construction in full motion.
If someone has not visited center city Greenville in the past several years and visit in 2015---you will be completely blown away by the transformation.
The result of a great deal of hard work and great cooperation on all levels. Great days ahead.
I saw the Mayor responded with this when asked about "How do we get downtown safe again?"
Quote:
There will always be challenges in a entertainment district whose establishments cater to 18-24 year olds. I worked at the Elbo and Rafters as a college student back in the day. Different generation. Similar issues. What *was different as recent as 2 years ago-- the entire downtown area streets were closed off with barriers on weekend nights. By law this created a zone where loitering was legal for any and every one--- which attracted drovrs of teens and bad folks refionally roaming around freely loitering with no intention of patronizing any businesses or clubs.
First step taken 2 years ago was immediately ending this practice and ending the barriers and legal loitering zones. Enforcing loitering laws-- to keep moving or move out. Second step-- has been-- working with Greenville property owners to transition several downtown buildings from large clubs to day time purposes-- Offices,residential, shops and retail. Example: the entire block known as Superblock (formerly Elbo, OP, etc.) is under full construction as we speak-- set to open in 2015.
The transition process continues. All the larger buildings are either in the process of redevelopment already or under contract. The remaining 70% of the centertainment establishments cater more to college student crowd. The transition is tangible and obvious. There is an entire Greenville PD unit dedicated to the center city working within the confines of the law to manage the district. When young people , alcohol and business/property rights come together there will always be challenges. Same as when I worked downtown back in time. Fact is---- the district is changing in a positive direction. People are voting with their investment, over $80 million in the past 2 years. There will always be a strong entertainment area but the fact is the area is transitioning to where the highest and best use of many of the properties are moving to a more professional use and upgrade in types of establishments. Work* in progress continues.
Last edited by jpirate; 06-09-2014 at 06:29 AM..
Reason: e
With permission from the FAA, the Airport hopes to turn around 90 acres on the north side into a Solar Farm. PGV also generated about a $98 million economic impact per year, with no tax money.
A little from the paper this morning about the ground breaking:
Quote:
Gold shovels cast dirt toward guests and photographers as Greenville officials broke ground on the downtown parking deck Wednesday.
After years of discussion and planning, Greenville officials, surrounded by media, broken pavement and signs of impending construction, dug deep in the ceremonial breaking of ground for the 238-space deck.
Past and present council members attended the event, including former At-large Councilman Dennis Mitchell and former District 5 Councilman Max Joyner Jr.
The deck at the corner of Fourth and Cotanche streets is scheduled to open Dec. 24, City Manager Barbara Lipscomb said.
Mayor Allen Thomas called the parking deck a significant project, not just for downtown, but for the entire city.
“This ground-breaking and this parking deck is the result of many people from so many years in the city of Greenville and their hard work,” Thomas said.
The deck already has had a hand in fostering economic development in the city, according to Thomas.
“This is called the glue,” Thomas said. “Ability to have parking in the uptown area was a key reason that many businesses over the past year decided to go ahead and locate in uptown Greenville.”
The city financed $5.5 million for the deck, but the estimated cost of construction is about $4.5 million, or about $5.1 million with additional costs and debt service financing.
Thomas noted that the city is looking for someone to contribute funds to get the naming rights of the clock tower, the clocks for which were removed from plans to cut costs.
“The center of your city is the front porch for your community,” Thomas said. “If your center city is thriving, it says something to every visitor that comes to your community.”
Rode down 10th street to the hospital for the first time in quite awhile today. Amazing the difference that is taking place! Knocking the ratty buildings down is already far and away a better sight. They were working on the utilities as mentioned before so I snapped a pic to try & show how far they are being moved. Really puts it into perspective where that road will run. The poles on the right are the new poles, ones on the left next to the road are being removed.
Last edited by jpirate; 06-12-2014 at 11:07 AM..
Reason: a
It's just too bad they didn't find some way to knock that old Dunkin' Donuts down.
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