Upstate Shakespeare Festival also known as "Shakespeare in the Park" moves to Cleveland Park this summer during Falls Park renovations. 

A Word from the DBA

Springtime marks the return of downtown events. Back again this year are the popular weekly concert series Downtown Alive and Friday Night Jazz. Reedy River Nighttime Concerts Series also returns in June, celebrating its 13th year at the Peace Center Amphitheater. New and now open each Saturday morning is the Saturday Market, - a farmers market with a downtown flavor. 

With construction well underway in Falls Park, "Shakespeare" and "Chataqua" have been moved to Cleveland Park for their outdoor performances. These events will return to their original venue next summer.

For more details, check out the information below and click on the links for performance schedules.: 

What is the Downtown Business Association?

The Downtown Business Association (DBA) is an organization that works as a
liaison between the City and the Downtown residential and business interests to discuss and address common concerns.  Additionally, the DBA works with many different organizations, such as the CVB and Greenville Events to promote and improve the opportunities and quality of life Downtown.  

We are a dues driven organization and have a monthly Director's meeting and a quarterly membership event. For additional information on joining the Downtown Business Association please contact Jane Greer at 232.8301. We want and need your participation !

Phantom Countdown begins! Downtown Greenville is undergoing a transformation. It's the first time The Phantom of the Opera has played in South Carolina . And to celebrate, daily activities will welcome the world-class Broadway show to the city. Click here for to learn more or call the Phantom Hotline at 467-5741

A Warm Welcome to New Downtown Businesses  

Mast General Store 111 North Main Street  

Loose Lucy's 103 N. Main Street

New this year

The Saturday  Market
Saturday mornings, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. East Court Street between Main and Fall Streets  The Saturday Market features fresh produce, local dairy and coffees, breakfast foods and entertainment. 

Returning favorites

Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series
Wednesdays, Peace Center Amphitheater 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Begins June 4 - August 27.  Bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper and enjoy the music at this free, family event.

Metropolitan Arts Council's Downtown Alive T hursdays, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Piazza Bergamo April 3 - September 25. This weekly fund-raiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council features a variety of music each week.   

Main Street Jazz Fridays, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. April 3 - September 25. Main Street, Hyatt Regency Plaza . Hear the extraordinary sounds produced by local, regional and national jazz musicians.     

Relocated during Falls Park construction

Upstate Shakespeare Festival  Cleveland Park - this year only. Sponsored by the Warehouse Theatre , the series offers classic plays in a fresh new style. 

T he Chataqua Series Cleveland Park - this year only. This series brings the past to life as actor s take on the roles of well-known literary figures.

Kamm's Frozen Custard 13 West Washington

Reunions Southern Regional Cuisine 648 South Main Street  

The Orient 4 South Main Street

Blue Z Café 2 West Stone Avenue

Horizon Records 2 West Stone Avenue  

Ralphy Boys 128 East Broad Street

Tsunami of Greenville 106 East North Street

There's pl e nty of parking downtown! To introduce downtown visitors to the City's parking garages, the City is running a special promotion with free weekend parking in the Richardson Street garage, except during special events. On May 17, there will be NO FREE PARKING because of the number of special events scheduled that day.

The Richardson Street garage is conveniently located near Piazza Bergamo, Hyatt Plaza and many downtown shops and businesses. Come give us a try. Find out how convenient garage parking can be.

For a pdf map of all convenient downtown parking garages, click here.

A Word from the West End

The WestEnd Association was chartered in 1985 by property owners, business owners and residents who shared the desire to see this historic neighborhood restored to its days of economic vitality.

Today, the WestEnd is a destination point.  As home to the SC Governors School for the Arts, the SC Children's Theatre, and the Warehouse Theatre, many Greenvillians consider us to be the City's arts and entertainment district.  We are also proud to be the home of the beautiful Reedy River Falls, America's only natural waterfall in a downtown district.

An Award Winning Downtown

Congratulations to Bentley's Books who won 3 ^rd place in the Signs of the Times magazine's 2003 International Sign Contest which states that "this sign conveys a very classic, elegant look, as if Flannery O'Connor had once strolled through the store."  

Congratulations to the Map Shop, listed in Southern Living's Special 2003 Issue of Favorites as one of 203 Favorite Shops in the South.   Other local shops included on this list are Emily Austin ( Augusta Road ) and The Houseplant ( East Washington Street).

Falls Park on the Reedy Update

We've come a long way, but our neighborhood is a work in progress. 
This year will see the addition of a stunning Botanical Garden to the
Reedy River Park, Pendleton Street will get a whole new look, and we expect to see new business and residential developments.  Don't let the construction fool you though, we're definitely open for business.

We invite you to come stroll our tree lined streets, worship in our churches, browse in charming shops, indulge in a day at the spa or dine in some of the best restaurants in town.  Wherever you go in the West End, you're sure to find a warm welcome.

The bridge is down and renovations continue. Soon work will begin on the new pedestrian bridge that will turn the park into a world class attraction. Other amenities include permanent amphitheatres and a spectacular public garden. The renovated Falls Park is expected to be in full bloom in the Spring of 2004.

Frank Hammond:  240-4530
Dianne Kuhl: 271-6408

The West End Market was completed in 1994. Since that time, numerous shops, restaurants and entertainment venues have located in the West End District.

West End Streetscaping Begins

The   West End Streetscaping project is now underway. From the intersection of South Main , Augusta and River St. to the railroad tracks on Pendleton, you will   soon be seeing some major changes in the appearance of the streets and sidewalks in the area.

Vehicular traffic changes include narrowing Pendleton Street from 4 lanes to 2 lanes. Parking will change from parallel to angled spaces, increasing the total number of spaces. Pedestrian enhancements include widening the sidewalk and installing brick bands. Mid-block crossing lanes will also be added.

Beautification efforts include adding planter "bumpouts" with extensive landscaping new large trees planted in tree gates. The project will finish with new paving and curb and gutters for the area.

With work underway, the project is anticipated for completion in late fall of this year.

Downtown Development:
New Residential and Commercial Underway 

Poinsett Corners The building will be a mixed-use development with limited commercial space and 85   residential units wrapping around a 300-space parking garage.   This project offers a variety of homes, from lofts to townhomes to flats, with prices ranging from $110,000 to $250,000. Poinsett Corners is under construction at the intersection of Broad Street and River Street . For more information contact Windsor/Aughtry at 271-9855 or check the website: www.poinsettcorners.com.  

The "Bookends"  This mixed-use development will be constructed on either side of a new 1,000 space parking facility. Units can be designed to meet any need or any price range. The development will occur at the new Spring Street Garage and will front both McBee Avenue and Washington Street .   For more  information on this project, contact Charlie Whitmire at 242-5151.  

Mast General Store Two condos are for sale in shell condition above the renovation of 111 North Main Street for Mast General Store. On the market for $180,000-230,000.

Park Avenue East An upscale townhome project adjacent to McPherson Park in the heart of a beautiful historic district. Park Avenue East offers a maintenance-free lifestyle in a setting that blends the best of city living in an intimate neighborhood setting. Each home will have a private garage and many have a private elevator.   Homes start at $565,000.   Contact Regina Lysak at 242-1110 for more information.

400 North Main A 5-story mid-rise located in the 400 block of North Main is designed to bring the finest in upscale urban living to the heart of downtown Greenville. 400 North Main offers up to 19 homes with 9 'to 11' ceilings throughout, hardwood floors, solid surface counter tops, ceramic baths, gourmet kitchens and private balconies. In addition, 2 parking spaces are provided per unit in a secure parking garage and in a surface lot adjacent to the building. These units range in price from the upper $200,000s to the mid $600,000 with everything in between. For more information contact Sharon Wilson at 250-2850 or email swilson@cainerealestate.com  

Hampton Townes  Phase 2 of the Commons at Hampton Pinckney, a successful townhome development, will consist of 5 detached, single-family homes starting at $320,000.

Wachovia Place This mixed-use project will include 24 new and affordable apartments d esigned for young professionals who prefer an urban lifestyle.   F acing South Main and Washington Streets, s ignificant features will include nine-foot ceilings, ceiling fans, casement windows, balconies overlooking the street or the courtyard, beautiful lighting packages, and stone floors in the kitchen and bathrooms.   This project will also have a parking deck.   For more information, please contact Jim Dulin at 704-358-1000 or check the website: www.wachoviaplace.com.

The Camperdown Condominiums  Plans include an eight-story, 30 unit condominium with a mix of one bedroom lofts and two bedroom flats and on-site parking. This exciting new residential project is located directly on the Reedy River at 25 River View Drive, adjacent to Linky Stone Park. For more information, contact The Marchant Company at 864-467-0085 or check the website: www.marchantco.com 

For more information on downtown development and other economic development opportunities, call 467-4401 or email cityinfo@greatergreenville.com.