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On WIS-TV the reporter ended his story by saying Greenville officials are now looking to expand their successes beyond Main Street. On the website he left that part out. Anyway, this is a nice report on how Columbia is interested in looking at downtown Greenville to bring home some ideas for continued improvements to the Capital City's central business district.
Cities that are willing to visit other cities for inspiration in areas they are looking to improve in are wise. Greenville's Main Street serves as a model for "Main Streets" in all cities. Columbia is looking to put the crowning touch on its downtown by realizing its Main Street's potential. A walk down Main Street in Columbia makes the enormous potential obvious. It is already exponentially busier than it has been yet in its revitalization era. I was just there last night and the sidewalks definitely were not dead. Mast General Store's late May opening should catapult it to a new level.
I find it hard to believe that no one in Columbia wasn't looking to Greenville's downtown success over the past 30 years.
Cities throughout the US have come to study what Greenville has done. What many don't take away is that Downtown revitalization is a long term game and it is difficult to put the patience and resources into making it last. Planting trees and prettying up the sidewalks aren't enough to get the ball rolling either. One thing Columbia does have in it's favor is that, like Greenville, it is the prime city in it's region and has intact residential neighborhoods close to downtown.
One thing that hindered Columbia's start on Main Street's revitalization is that it never hit rock solid bottom. It has remained relatively viable through it all, but now it's going to focus on bursting at the seams within a few years to the point that it helps, not hurts, the Vista and Five Points.
I find it hard to believe that no one in Columbia wasn't looking to Greenville's downtown success over the past 30 years.
Cities throughout the US have come to study what Greenville has done. What many don't take away is that Downtown revitalization is a long term game and it is difficult to put the patience and resources into making it last. Planting trees and prettying up the sidewalks aren't enough to get the ball rolling either. One thing Columbia does have in it's favor is that, like Greenville, it is the prime city in it's region and has intact residential neighborhoods close to downtown.
This isn't the first time city council has visited other cities, but we have a new mayor and some relatively new council members, too.
I find it hard to believe that no one in Columbia wasn't looking to Greenville's downtown success over the past 30 years.
If memory serves me correctly, Greenville was in the middle of its downtown revitalization around the same time the Vista was starting to get new life breathed into it. Obviously the Vista has enjoyed much success over the past couple of years, but it seems that city leaders let Main Street decline around the same time which was in the mid to late 90's when the department stores started leaving. Neither city's downtown was in its current state 20-30 years ago.
I applaud Mayor Benjamin for getting out there and looking at other cities.. Not only does he need to reach out across the river to Lexington.. he needs to make sure that we are aligned with both Charleston and Greenville on statewide issues like transportation/rail. I dont know how many times Coble went to Greenville.. I believe he and Riley in Charleston were in contact often.. but rarely did you hear anything about Greenville. He is also going up to Charlotte to ride the train to Raleigh which is part of the intra state rail system being developed up there. NC has the best model of how their cities work together. Though Raleigh and Charlotte are certainly competing.. they along with Greensboro, Winston Salem will join hands along I-85 and do what it takes to support statewide initiatives. Each City also has its own niche so they dont necessarily compete toe to toe but complement one another.. A good model for SC to follow....
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