Concerts and Events in
Full Summer Swing

The recent cloudy skies and occasional summer storms have not dampened the spirits of downtown visitors and residents attending outdoor concerts and events in record numbers. 

Even if you have not had a chance to attend, there's still plenty of time. The events will continue throughout the summer and into the fall.

Check out the listings below or  click here for a complete listing of all there is to enjoy downtown this summer and through the fall.

The Saturday Market
Through October 2, East Court Street
Saturdays, 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Select from the finest in fresh produce and flowers locally grown and delivered to the market each week. While shopping you can grab a bite to eat from participating food vendors and learn new cooking and gardening tips presented by area experts. Call Greenville Events for more details at 467-5780.

Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series
Wednesdays, Peace Center Amphitheater 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Through August 27.  Bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper and enjoy the music at this free, family event. Click here for more information.

Centex Homes Downtown Alive
April 1 – September 23, Piazza Bergamo
Thursdays, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Join the many downtown business people who frequent this weekly fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council. Featuring a mixture of pop, blues, acoustic and reggae performances, Centex Homes Downtown Alive is held each week at Piazza Bergamo. Call Greenville Events for more details at 467-5780.

Ryland Homes Main Street Jazz
April 2 – September 24, Main Street & Hyatt Regency Fridays, 5:30 - 9:30 pm
Wind up your work week listening and dancing to the best in jazz performed by local, regional and national talent. A children’s activity area and special promotional events add to the fun for the entire family. Call Greenville Events for more details at 467-5780.

Upstate Shakespeare Festival, Falls Park Amphitheater
Shakespeare returns to downtown with an expanded season!  Sponsored by the Warehouse Theatre and the City of Greenville, the series offers classic plays in a fresh new style with the beautiful backdrop of Falls Park. For show schedule go to www.upstateshakespearefestival.org

A Warm Welcome to New Downtown Businesses  

The Bait Shack - 109 N. Main St.

The Bohemian - 2 W. Stone Ave.

Christopher Park Gallery - 608 S. Main St.

Guytanos - 25 E. Court St.

Saffron's Sidewalk Cafe - 1 Augusta St.

Scarboro Heirlooms - 324 S. Main St.

Sharkey's Pub - 112 N. Main St.

Sports City Grill - 648 S. Main St.

Westend Dark Room - 640 S. Main St.

You Bag It - 816 S. Main St.

Visit These Businesses at their New Location

The Creative Health Bar - 14 S. Main St.

Mack's Shoe Shop - 102 E. North St.

Special Event Parking Prices Now Just $5

There's plenty of parking downtown, with more than 6,500 off-street parking spaces located throughout downtown and to encourage motorists to take advantage of all these spaces, the City has lowered event parking to just $5. 

Motorists are also encouraged to take advantage of free weekend parking, Friday night through Sunday evening, at the Richardson Street Garage and GTA Parking Deck on Washington Street.

For more information on parking in downtown Greenville, click here. 

What's Right with This Picture? 

Is there a trolley system in downtown Greenville's future? Can all the wonderfully diverse cultural, recreational, shopping, and dining activities available downtown be better connected? Would those who visit, live, and work downtown prefer to experience the full extent of the area without having to return to their car?

A group of local business people who care about the quality of life and economic viability believe that a trolley system might be a good addition to our downtown and have formed the Greenville Trolley Committee to explore the feasibility of providing trolley service downtown. 

The committee has enlisted the support of the Greenville Transit Authority, the City of Greenville, The Convention and Visitors Bureau and multiple business leaders to assist them with their study. They are also asking those who live, play or work downtown to provide input on the subject.

The committee has created a website with information on possible trolley routes, funding options, and more. The site includes an online survey. To read more or to take part in the survey, go to www.greenvilletrolley.com .

Eat. Shop. Play. Stay. ENJOY!
Downtown Greenville

It's a multi-tiered campaign that ties in banners, posters, print, radio ads and billboards. 

The vibrant new look plays up the existing downtown branding, taking it to a higher notch. Downtown businesses have joined in the promotion with a financial contribution to help fund the project.

Interested in participating? Contact DBA Restaurant and Retail Representative Martha While at 233-8413.

City's New G-TV 15 Programs
Place Spotlight on Downtown 

There's more to enjoy about downtown Greenville when you watch GTV 15 - City of Greenville television - available to City viewers who subscribe to Charter Cable. 

When you turn to channel 15 on charter cable at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 9:00 p.m., you'll find Greenville Alive! which features broadcasts of city news and information. Current programming includes an Update on Falls Park, a visit to the Saturday Market, and an evening at the Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series.

So tune us in and see what's happening downtown, and throughout the city, on Greenville Alive! at 9 noon & 9. And check out our G-TV web page at http://www.greatergreenville.com/city_government/tv.asp

Bridge in Final Phase of Construction

Last month, a team of engineers from Germany flew into Greenville to begin the most dramatic and technically challenging phase of the Liberty Bridge construction: the raising of the masts and the stringing of the suspension cable across the expanse of the bridge. After three weeks of labor, their job was complete and now the bridge's spectacular silhouette graces the downtown skyline.

But there is much left to do before the bridge opens to the public in mid September. The finishing work on the railing and walkway must be completed. And the supporting scaffolding must be carefully cleared to allow the suspension cable to perform its task as the bridges sole support.

Meanwhile, activities are in full summer-swing in the adjacent Falls Park. The Upstate Shakespeare Festival is performing in the Carolina First Amphitheater, groups are booking parties and private events, and families and friends are visiting the park to enjoy the beauty of the new gardens and watch the bridge work in progress.

Once the bridge and gardens are completed, they will be maintained in part with the money generated by the Falls Park Endowment Fund. So far, a total of $3 million has been raised for the endowment, but there are still many opportunities to give.

For more information on Falls Park and the endowment fund visit the web site , www.fallspark.com.

Downtown Development:
New Residential and Commercial Underway 

Poinsett Corners Located on the site of a former city parking lot, Poinsett Corners is an excellent example of a creative mixed-use project that includes 81residential units, 17,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and a city-owned parking garage with almost 300 spaces. This project, with a total investment of $15 million, is transforming a parking lot into an architecturally distinctive building with homes ranging from 550 to 2,000 sq. ft. and selling from $100,000 to $380,000. The developer,  Windsor/Aughtry Company, was selected by the City through a competitive process based on their vision for the site and their ability to create a quality mixed-use project completely surrounding a parking garage. For more information, visit: www.poinsettcorners.com.  

The "Bookends"  Thirty new residences and 6,200 sq. ft. of commercial space will soon front East McBee Avenue and later, East Washington Street, creating “bookends” for the City’s new Spring Street Garage. This project was initiated in response to City Council’s desire to minimize the impact of parking garages and ensure activity on pedestrian-oriented streets. Phase One, now under construction on McBee Avenue, is an 8-story, $7 million multi-use project, which has been registered as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) project and will meet rigorous “green building” criteria set by the U.S. Green Building Council. Although constructed as one building, the façade incorporates various architectural features, giving it the appearance of several different buildings. Residential units in this project range from $125,000 to $500,000. For more information, contact Charlie Whitmire at 242-5151 or visit www.bookends.us.

The Lofts @ Mills Mill: The renovation of the vacant Mills Mill, built in 1897, into 104 new loft style condominiums provides a significant new entrance into downtown. This stunning renovation and restoration project demonstrates the strength of the inner city housing market. Units in this project range from 800 to 2,300 sq. ft. and are selling from $115,000 to $400,000.  Construction has also begun on a companion 13,000 sq. ft. retail and office center on Mills Avenue and Lynn Street The facility will be built using brick from a demolished mill to complement the historic mill. These two projects represent an investment of more than $25 million by Mills Mill Associates, LLC. For more information visit www.millsmill.com.

The Richland @ Cleveland Park:      Close to downtown on East Washington Street, Park Properties is developing The Richland @ Cleveland Park. Now under construction along Richland Creek, the Richland will bring New York style penthouses to Greenville. The 24 units on 4 floors will be 1-2 bedroom penthouse condominiums ranging in size from 1200 to 2700 square feet and ranging in price from $200,000 to $500,000. The development will have all the luxuries and convenience of living in a downtown area, but will offer a city view with trees and a park.  

RiverPlace: The long awaited RiverPlace project is under construction after 15 years in the making. This project is located across the Reedy River from the Peace Center for the Performing Arts and will encompass 45 residential units, a new 100-room hotel, an 87,000 sq. ft. office building, artist studio spaces and 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. A subsurface parking facility is being constructed in the initial phase of the project. Three development groups are working together on RiverPlace: Hughes Real Estate, Inc., Allora LLC, and the Windsor/Aughtry Company. This private development will be a backdrop to a Riverwalk promenade connecting Falls Park and Linky Stone Park. A public plaza and pedestrian promenade descending from Camperdown Way and South Main Street will lead to the Riverwalk area with a four level water feature as the focal point of the public space.

The Park Downtown: Continuing the combination of park setting with new residences, Pierce Homes of Carolina plans a 35 unit residential development adjacent to McPherson Park on East Park Avenue. Sold at auction in March, these residences proved to be some of the most affordably priced homes offered to date. In addition, this development will be a model for stormwater management with water retained on site in a water garden with natural wetland vegetation. This is both a beautiful and environmentally friendly approach to stormwater management. The developer will then donate the water garden and surrounding area to the City to become an extension of McPherson Park. Private Investment in this project will be almost $5 million.  

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