We need photos in order to believe you :lol:

^^They're girls who serve beer at the ballpark. Obviously they're going to be hot. Just ask any of the Greenville forum members who have ever been to a game. :D :lol:

C-L-E-M-S-O-N. GO TIGERS!!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=5T_xi5OVk8I :D We officially own FSU now. Get ready USC. Lightning and thunder are back and ready for some. :rock: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ck2uRETVMTY&mode=related&search=

:rock: The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research phase 1 pics by gsupstate:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/gsupstate/DSC03344.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/gsupstate/DSC03345.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/gsupstate/DSC03346.jpg

Nice update photos, g-man!!!

Nice update photos, g-man!!!

:rock: :lol:

Project Elf-$7,500,000-300 jobs-corporate headquarters: http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/Council/ELF%20Inducement%20Agreement%20%20%20.pdf

Project Apple - $50 Million, 200 new full-time jobs, North American Headquarters, and "big" for the whole metro area. November announcement expected (http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/BUSINESS/709110342/1004/NEWS01).

Sounds like lots of new jobs coming to Greenville :okay:

ICAR to announce new partnership

Published: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 8:41 am
Updated: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 8:44 am

News Staff

DUNCAN -- Spartanburg Community College will hold a news conference on Wednesday at 3 p.m at its Tyger River Campus in Duncan to announce a new, collaborative partnership with Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).

School officials would not comment on specifics of the partnership, saying only that it "offers potential economic benefit to the residents of Spartanburg County."

The announcement will include remarks by David Cordeau, president and CEO of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce; Bob Geolas, CU-ICAR’s executive director; Jeff Horton, chairman of the Spartanburg County Council; George Dean Johnson, Jr., chairman of the board of Johnson Development; Dr. Barry Russell, South Carolina Technical College System president; Doug Smith, chairman of the Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation; and Dr. Dan L. Terhune, SCC president.

UPSTATE, GET READY TO SOAK UP THE FUN IN SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA!
ALLEGIANT AIR ANNOUNCES NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG TO FORT LAUDERDALE FOR $49*

(Greer, S.C.)-- The Upstate will soon have yet another way to get to the sun as Allegiant Air, LLC announces new, nonstop jet service to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport beginning Nov. 15. The low-fare carrier will celebrate the convenient new service to sunny South Florida with introductory fares as low as $49* each-way.

"We are extremely pleased to again expand the Allegiant brand of low-fare, nonstop jet service to the Upstate community" Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., president, CEO and Chairman for Allegiant said. "This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we celebrate yet another way to get to the sun of Florida and launch the only scheduled service between Greenville/Spartanburg and Fort Lauderdale."

The new flights will operate three times weekly, with service Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Flights will depart the Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport at 2:45 p.m. arriving in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 4:25 p.m. Flights leaving Fort Lauderdale will depart at 12:30 p.m. arriving in Greenville at 2:10 p.m. (all flight times are local.)

With the addition of the Fort Lauderdale route, Allegiant will serve four destinations from Greenville/Spartanburg. Allegiant inaugurated service to Orlando Nov. 14, 2006, flights to the Tampa Bay area began Feb. 13 and service to Las Vegas Aug. 24.

Fort Lauderdale offers the ultimate escape to sunny South Florida, with miles of blue waterways, soft golden sand and gentle ocean breezes. Located in the center of South Florida's Gold Coast, 40 miles from Palm Beach and 25 miles from Miami, Fort Lauderdale stretches from Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach in the north to Hollywood and Hallandale Beach in the south. The area offers 300 miles of navigable inland waterways and 44,000 resident yachts, making it recognized as the "Yachting Capital of the World" and the "Venice of America." From the Blue Wave beaches, to the yacht-filled waterways, to the exotic Everglades, every visit is a fresh taste of paradise.

"The continued growth of Allegiant Air further demonstrates this market can and will support a low fare carrier," said Gary Jackson, Executive Director of GSP International Airport Commission. "This additional Florida service will meet the needs of both the business as well as the leisure traveler."

The airline commented market research and input from local community leaders indicate the Upstate community will welcome the new nonstop flights and low-fares to South Florida as an alternative to connecting flights and long drives to other airports. Allegiant will utilize 150-seat, MD-80 series, jet-aircraft on the route.

As a full-service travel company, Allegiant provides even greater savings to customers by offering complete, low-cost vacation packages. Complete vacation packages in South Florida are available with more than 20 area resorts, including hotels in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami/South Beach, Palm Beach and The Keys and with air/hotel packages as low as $202*. (Price is per person, based on two-night hotel stay at the Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port Fort Lauderdale, double occupancy and reflects a Tuesday arrival. Price valid until Dec. 31, 2007.) The company will provide low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car.

Reservations may be made through the company's website at www.allegiantair.com, the airline's Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.

Allegiant's $49* one-way introductory fare is limited, not available on all flights and must be purchased by Sept. 29, 2007, for travel through Feb. 10, 2008. After the introductory fare period, regular one-way fares on the route start as low as $69 one-way.

About the offer: *All fares are limited, one-way and are non-refundable. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.40 per segment. A checked baggage fee will apply per bag, per segment. A convenience fee of $8.50 per traveling customer will be applied when booked at www.allegiantair.com or through an Allegiant Air call center. Travel purchased through an Allegiant Air call center will cost an additional $5.00 per segment. A segment is defined as one take-off and one landing. Fares are non- refundable. Seats are extremely limited and subject to availability. Restrictions apply. Offer not available Nov. 21, 25, 26, 2007; Dec. 20-31, 2007; Jan. 1-7, 2008.

About the Company
Las Vegas based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Las Vegas, Nev., Phoenix, Ariz., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Orlando, Fla. and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the Company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel related services.




Hobby Lobby heads to Easley
Crafts retailer to open in former Winn-Dixie site at Town 'N Country Plaza in early '08

Published: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Scott Keeler
PICKENS COUNTY NEWS
dskeeler@greenvillenews.com

Artists in Easley should have a 50,000-plus-square-foot playground to explore when Hobby Lobby opens at the Town 'N Country Plaza in 2008.

Nalley Commercial Properties has announced that Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. has signed a lease to take over the space previously occupied by Winn-Dixie.

In a press release, Nalley executive Wes Nalley said "Hobby Lobby's 52,000-square-foot store will bring a nice merchandise mix to the center and complement existing merchants."

That's what artists like Katherine Owen of Easley hope for. While Hobby Lobby may not necessarily meet the specific needs of her profession -- pottery -- she's still looking forward to its arrival.

"I still do a lot of other art where I use craft products," Owen said, "so that will be convenient."

Nalley managing partner Dial DuBose said he expects the arts-and-crafts store to open in the first quarter of 2008. The company is now known as Hobby Lobby Creative Centers and now offers greeting cards, party items and home accents.

Renovations to the property will begin this month.

"They're coming because it's a vibrant new market that they are not yet in," DuBose said. "They've already come into Greenville and the Upstate ... building their brand here."

Easley Chamber of Commerce President Kent Dykes said Hobby Lobby's presence gives the city "more diversification and more shopping opportunities." Dykes said he hopes other retailers will see Hobby Lobby take the lead and come along as well.

DuBose said Hobby Lobby could be the first of a new wave of businesses arriving in Easley -- albeit a slow wave.

"The demographics in Easley are headed in that direction, but they're not quite there yet," DuBose said. "I'd love to see us have a Barnes and Noble and those type of stores, but I think we've got a little more ways to go before we can get there."




Fork Shoals site could add to Connector growth
Rezoning sought for 200-acre site to allow for homes, offices in the future

Published: Thursday, September 6, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Angelia Davis
BUSINESS WRITER
adavis@greenvillenews.com

SIMPSONVILLE -- A 220-acre vacant site on Fork Shoals Road may be filled with residences, stores, and office spaces in the future.

Owners of the property, the Collins family, are asking the county to change the industrial zoning classification of the site to a planned development, to allow for a mixed-use development, according to attorney Mark Holmes, who is representing the family.

A preliminary development plan for the parcels proposes up to 425 single-family residences on 151 acres of the property; 416,000 square feet of office and retail space, as well as 294 multi-family units, on 65 acres; and four acres of park/open space.

"What this planned development is designed to do is hopefully put a plan in place so everybody would know what this 200-plus acres would be zoned for, even if that doesn't happen overnight," Holmes said.

The property owners are various members of a large family, according to Holmes. It is likely they would sell the residential subdivision of the land to a developer, he said. But they may be involved in the neighborhood commercial components, he said.

The site is just north of the Southern Connector, an area that has not seen much development or changes since the toll road opened in 2001.

This spring, The Southern Connector 2000 Association disclosed its property availability study, a tool intended to encourage development to increase traffic along the 16-mile toll road.

Rick Cauthen, a commercial realtor with Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine, said when the study was first released, there was a flurry of activity and inquiries into the available real estate along the Southern Connector.

"That has since slowed down somewhat, but I still do get an occasional phone call or e-mail inquiry asking for specific information and or asking for copies of the study," said Cauthen, who was commissioned to perform and complete the study.

The Collins family planned development is within the one-mile radius of the Southern Connector corridor, the area of focus for the study.

Holmes said the study outlined a number of different uses for property in the area and that when residential growth occurred, there would be a need for commercial and office- type uses to serve the new residences as well as others already in the area.

"So I think this development is consistent with that concept in that it does provide, in the first phase, for residential development," he said.

Jerry Howard, president of the Greenville Area Development Corp., said "primarily, development is market-driven, whether that development is residential, commercial, retail, industry or office. Ultimately, development will go where zoning and infrastructure will accommodate it."

The Acadia development, which will have up to 700 dwellings, a village of shops, offices and other amenities, is touted as the first major project with direct access to the Southern Connector corridor near Interstate 85.

Griffin Park is a traditional neighborhood being built on 300-plus acres off West Georgia and Fork Shoals roads, near the Connector. It will have up to 1,062 residences, a town center, and other amenities.

Greenville County Council members are considering a request to rezone 121 acres along Piedmont Golf Course Road, also near the Southern Connector, for a residential development.

On Sept. 17, a public hearing will be held for the 220 acres off Fork Shoals.

The preliminary development plan divides the property into six zones showing the locations and different uses. Zone one, which involves 411 single-family residential uses on 145 acres and 18 acres of open space, would be completed first if the county approves the rezoning request.

"The rest of the property will be developed really as time goes on," Holmes said.

He said the planned development zoning would give the planning commission the right to review and approve all of the final plans.

"If there's something in the written statement of intent or in the development plan, the developer can't simply change his mind and decide to do something else. They would have to get planning commission approval. If it's a major change they would have to get approval from the county council again," he said.

Steel rebar is starting to go up for the first building at the Carolina First corporate campus. I'll take pics of it this weekend if my new camera comes in by then. :)

:banana: :dance: :rock:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/876ca969ab96a1dcd4c70fbba6a2ead9.200x200.jpg
It’s time to announce a new month in Greenville, Drivetober. The creative minds of the Greenville Drive office staff recently looked at the fall schedule, and all of the great things that were planned to happen at West End Field after the close of the 2007 season and they realized something: the month of October sounded old and un-fun.

Mike DeMaine, the general manager, put things this way at the board meeting:
“The month of October has its greats,
Halloween, Columbus Day, and other dates.
But, when the month is all said and done,
There is no room for new and exciting fun.

What is this new and exciting fun, you may ask? Well, at the board meeting, the Greenville Drive front office staff had decided that folks should be able to enjoy lunch at the ballpark on Wednesday afternoons, college football on Thursdays, and free family movies on Saturday nights. So, once the board realized that the month of October was filled with the usual ho-hum, JDew, the emcee, spoke up:

“October, the month, should get a re-name,
A title that shows the fun of the games.
Baseball may be over, but there is no reason
That fun at West-End Field have “off-season!”

The Greenville Drive board members were thrilled with the idea and declared JDew a genius (as they have done many times before). When the cheering died down they all realized there was just one more problem. What name should they choose? How would they get the idea across to Greenville Drive fans, and the surrounding areas? Once again, all eyes turned to their fearless leader to settle the issue:

Now all things were calm, no more time to waste,
All ears listening, tuned in with haste.
With a huge green in his head,
“We shall call it, “Drivetober”, Reedy Rip’it said.


Wednesday, October 3– Thursday, October 4th
10:00 AM – 10:00 AM

The front office of the Greenville Drive are sending out a challenge to play baseball, softball, t-ball, whiffleball, or kickball to any team that thinks they can beat us on our home field. This community promotion is designed to raise funds for the Spinx Charities.

Entry Fee: $200 per team

Commemorative T-Shirt: $15

Register at greenvilledrive.com or call (864) 240-4500

Wednesdays – Lunch at West End Field
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
West End Field will be open for lunch serving:
· Chick-fil-A
· Salsaritas
· Ballpark Fare


Thursdays – Thursday Night Football Party
6:00 PM – 2:00 AM?
Spinx 500 Club to open to the public for Thursday night football games.
· Drink Specials
· Bar Games and Tournaments for prizes
· Big Screen TV


Saturdays – Family Movie Nights
7:00 PM – End of Movie
Free admission to West End Field for family movie
nights.
· Families may watch movies on the field.
· No chairs, just blankets.
· Food and Drink allowed on field.
· Concessions will be open.


Movie Schedule
October 6 – High School Musical
October 13 – Cars
October 20 – The Incredibles
October 27 – Monster House
· Come in costume, Trick or Treating

My new camera is coming today, so you can expect some update pics later today. :) And in other news, we should all leave Brittany alone apparently: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwwtdd%2Ecom%2F :lol:

Developer seeks to polish up U.S. Finishing
Portion of the site could become commercial development

Published: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Angelia Davis
BUSINESS WRITER
adavis@greenvillenews.com

Greenville developer Charles Wyatt said he likes the challenge of "taking something that looks rough and making it look good."

That's what he wants to do with a portion of the former U.S. Finishing property, off Old Buncombe Road and Blue Ridge Drive (State 253), which was destroyed by fire in 2003.

Wyatt has under contract approximately 84 acres of the plant properties, of which 33.61 acres are the plant site. He wants to put a commercial development there "that would enhance the community and give them a place to shop."

But exactly what types of shops and service businesses would be allowed go there, he said, is up to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, due to the environmental problems at the site.

"It has to be some kind of commercial. It cannot be residential. They've already told us that," Wyatt said. "I've been working with DHEC for more than a year now, trying to get the details worked out of how we can acquire this property and make it something productive, instead of having this negative plant that has been burned half up."

Keith Lindler, director of DHEC's site assessment and remediation division, said his agency is looking at the scope of work that would be required so Wyatt can evaluate and determine if what's required is feasible.

Lindler said the property does have groundwater and chrome, heavy metal and other contamination. And, he said, whoever buys the site will need more assessment work, depending on what their development plans are.

He said site cleanup standards would be based on the planned future use.

Terry Howe of Taylors is marketing the site and said the plant is an eyesore because of the destruction caused by the fire, but like Wyatt, he sees its potential.

"I see something really positive here. It's going to make a whole new community," he said.

The site is minutes away from downtown Greenville, Cherrydale Shopping Center, and Furman University. The Reedy River and the 11-mile Swamp Rabbit Tram Trail that will be created along the former Greenville and Northern railway, linking downtown Travelers Rest to Furman University to downtown Greenville, runs through the plant properties.

The trail will initially cater to walkers, joggers and bicycle riders. Later, a hybrid tram is expected to shuttle folks along the trail route.

Among the tracts that Wyatt has under contract are the 11.89-acre "lagoon" and 37.19 acre "forest" sites.

Howe envisions the lagoon property, which abuts the planned tram trail, as a parking area where "people could park for half or a third of the price they'd pay for parking downtown, and either ride the tram or a bike" to downtown Greenville.

He sees a 96.54 acre "river site," which is available for sale, as ideal for a planned residential development for people who work downtown, but are unable to afford the residences in downtown, and retirees. The residences he envisions would cost under $250,000.

"The trail's coming," he said. "It might be a few years before they get the light rail but they are going to have those little shuttle buses running through there, and I could see people getting off those buses and supporting these businesses on their way home."

The "forest site" lies in a flood plain area and stretches from Old Buncombe to the campus of the Northwest Crescent Child Development and Family Services Center on Franklin Road.

Both Wyatt and Howe said the best uses for that portion of the property are preservation and recreation.

Not all of the 33.61-acre plant site could be used for Wyatt's commercial development. The portion of it that fronts West Blue Ridge and Old Buncombe is a flood plain and Langston Creek, a tributary to the Reedy River, flows through it.

Howe said with Wyatt's proposal, "we're not talking about a Cherrydale and not even a Haywood Mall, just a small, serve-the-community type deal on 15 acres."

For the project to be workable, Wyatt said DHEC's requirements couldn't be greater than the property is worth. If DHEC requires more than the property can generate as far as jobs and income for the county, it's not going to work, he said.

Howe said developers have expressed an interest in the properties, but they are waiting to see what happens with the plant site.

"It's kind of like a domino effect here. I think we're looking for that first volunteer to step forward, and Charles is it. He's trying to come up with some type of suitable plan that he can live with," Howe said. "He's not a rich philanthropist who just wants to fix up the neighborhood. It has to be affordable, but he's in it for a long term, not just a quick fix."

Wyatt expects to view DHEC's cleanup requirements within the next two or three weeks.

:rock: We're bringing sexy back: http://www.visualterrain.net/Media/images/toppage/Hubbell_Lighting_Headquarters.pdf and http://www.masc.sc/Education/Greenville_downtown.pdf

The second PDF was definitely worth more than a click. Great way to present Greenville :okay:

Verdae-
Brick style for homes:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture528.jpg

Legacy Park with walking/biking trail on outskirt:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture523.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture524.jpg

Road:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture526.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture525.jpg

Concrete/brick crosswalk:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture527.jpg

Carolina First corporate campus-
First building starting to go up:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture571.jpg

Edge of pond in foreground with first building starting to go up in the background:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture570.jpg

Indigo Joes
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture566.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture565.jpg

Homewood Suites
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture564.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture568.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture567.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture569.jpg

Guess who's back, back again? G-man is back for his friends with a brand new camera. :D
The Fresh Market, shopping center, Peoples National Bank-
Media:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture529.jpg

Shopping Center:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture531.jpg

Peoples National Bank:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture533.jpg

The Fresh Market:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture532.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture530.jpg

Carolina First Center
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture538.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture537.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture534.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture536.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture535.jpg

WE WANT MORE. :banana: See what happens when all of the forum members on UP leave. Right Greenville? ;)

You think this is a lot. You just wait until this weekend. :eek2: :rock: :carrot:

Acadia
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture549.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture550.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture551.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture561.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture552.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture556.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture557.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture562.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture555.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture560.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture554.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture563.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture558.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture559.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture553.jpg

Great pics, g-man!!! Can't wait to see Acadia completed.

^^^WOW...thanks for all the great pictues. I liked that pdf file for the city of greenville showing all the work that has went into projects. There is definetly no turning back now. So it says there will be four 11 story buildings on the ICAR site. That isnt even including the ones for the point developement Mchenseney is doing. Its going to blow some people away when they drive down I-85 and see whats going on in little ol' Greenville. :banana:

^^Yes indeed, except those four 11-story buildings are for Millennium Campus, not ICAR. I have some bad news folks. Project Skyline, which was to be a mixed-use/corporate headquarters project worth $2.4 billion will NOT be happening. :(

CU-ICAR
(sorry about the angle. Only way I could get it all in the pic)
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture575.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture574.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture577.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture578.jpg

Food Lion anchored shopping center
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture591.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture589.jpg

Greenville Hospital System University Research Building
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture592.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture597.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture594.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture593.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture595.jpg

:lol:
Raleigh-NC: Where does g-man find the time to take and post these pics cityboi?
Cityboi: I don't know, but I just wish he would quit bugging me about that proposed mall for Greensboro.

Griffin Park
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture588.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture587.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture586.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture585.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture584.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture583.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture582.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture581.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture580.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture579.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture576.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture573.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture572.jpg

Bravo!!! Bravo!!! :applause:
I know I can count on you, g-man. Your photos are much appreciated. It appears to me that Griffin Park will be a must-see when it's finished :okay:

I'm too lazy to type it, so I did this:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture603.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture604.jpg

Thanks for the comment Raleigh-NC. :)

Hey, you forgot to comment on my quote above the Griffin Park pics Raleigh-NC. ;) :lol:

Very fine photo update, g-man. I am glad you are putting your brand new camera to such great use. :)

^^See why you do NOT ban a certain forum member from UP. The Greenville sub-forum wouldn't be dead like it is if metro ass would of just left me alone and let me go my own way. You think those were good pics, you haven't seen anything yet. just wait until tomorrow. Art in the Park, here I come. :)

:eek2: Sweet mother of god. This isn't even all of the new ones in the Greenville County area either. These are just the ones on the "new homes tour." Can't forget about the apartments, condos, townhomes either. You do NOT want to see the rest of the upstate.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture607.jpg

Hey, you forgot to comment on my quote above the Griffin Park pics Raleigh-NC. ;) :lol:
No, I didn't... I found it funny and liked it, but I felt it was more important to comment on your photos and Griffin Park. Your humor is appreciated just the same, though ;)

:bash: :ohno: NOOOOOOOO: http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/home.apx.-content-articles-SPA-2007-09-14-0009.html

Ahhh...shopping centers, apartments, houses, condos, and tires:?:
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-37.pdf

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-51.pdf

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-54.pdf

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-57.pdf

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-33.pdf

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-44.pdf

A lot of new development!!! Don't expect me to read everything, though ;)

:bash: The GREATEST news of all time: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070917/NEWS01/709170322 Not suprising though. Greenville's not ready for primetime yet and certainly isn't big enough to support direct western destinations.

Mauldin may annex land for stores, hotel
City Council to review proposals for land on East Butler Road, for a Brookwood Church gym and for a day care tonight

Published: Monday, September 17, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Kelly VanLeeuwen
STAFF WRITER

Mauldin city limits could abut I-385 soon if the City Council seconds the Planning Commission's recommendation for two annexation requests at the intersection of the highway and East Butler Road.

Both annexation requests also were recommended to be rezoned as commercial property, with plans for retail and a possible hotel.

The first request is for property across from the Arby's and Spinx. The second is for two combined parcels on the opposite side of I-385 where a yellow house is located. The Planning Commission has recommended them to the City Council for approval.

Brenda Josenhans currently owns all three parcels, according to the county tax records.

Dynamic Realty, a Greenville-based company, hopes to close on all the parcels by the end of the month, said sales agent Darren Ison, who presented the proposal to the commissioners.

Ison said there are "plans hopefully for a hotel property, retail and a restaurant in front" on the first property, the 3.71-acre lot across from Arby's and Spinx.

According to the meeting minutes, the hotel will be full service. The company is speaking with Marriott and Choice hotels.

The same lot could possibly be the future site of the city's first Starbucks, Ison said, though "none of the plans have been drawn up on (the property)."

The other two parcels, on the other side of I-385 across from the Evangelical Church, could be the future home of a "very large retail chain," Ison said.

"I don't even know who they are yet," Ison said, adding they won't "make themselves known" until after the closing.

The developments planned for both locations are a "win-win" situation for everybody, Ison told the commissioners.

The Planning Commission voted 5-1 in favor of the first request. Javiere Norris opposed. Gordon Love had not arrived at that time.

On the second request, the vote was 4-3. Commissioners Randy Eskridge, P.L. Fortune, Bobby Harper and Love approved; commissioners Rhonda Bowen, Bob Settle and Norris opposed.

Commissioners also recommended for approval a change to the planned development (PD) zoning at Brookwood Church for a proposed gym, said Peter Nomikos, building and zoning department head.

Commissioners unanimously recommended approval to annex a day-care center on Balcome Boulevard, off U.S. 276 near Golden Park, so the center could access sewer lines, Nomikos said. The center would retain its R-12 zoning.

The City Council could next review all requests during the formal session at 7 tonight.



240 Suber Road apartments up for approval tonight
Greer planners consider requiring traffic studies upfront

Published: Monday, September 17, 2007 - 11:00 am
Updated: Monday, September 17, 2007 - 11:05 am

By Nan Lundeen
STAFF WRITER

GREER – Final approval for Alta Crescent Apartments, a 240-unit project on South Suber Road, could come tonight.

Developers have completed a traffic impact study for the project, according to Glenn Pace, the city’s planning and zoning coordinator.

The Greer Planning Commission, which will consider approval of the final development plan at its 6:30 meeting tonight, withheld approval last month until a traffic impact study was complete.

Neighbors to the project had expressed concerns about increased traffic on the busy road, and developers had assured the commission they would make whatever improvements a study recommended.

Also, the public will have a chance to speak out at a public hearing on a proposal to annex five properties on Buncombe and Hammett Bridge roads and zone them commercial.

The proposed annexations would create a commercial corner of five lots across from the Hot Spot. They are 906 and 908 South Buncombe and 203 and 205 Hammett Bridge Road. The corner lot already is zoned commercial.

Langston Black Real Estate Inc. is asking for annexation and commercial zoning for a lot at the northeast corner of South Buncombe and Jones Avenue. It’s near a planned 216-unit, gated apartment complex.

Nan Lundeen can be reached at 298-4316.

Uptown Greenville taking shape
More restaurants under development at Woodruff/I-85

Francis B. Allgood, Managing Editor

Two more restaurants are under construction along Market Point Drive near Shops at The Point as the Interstate 85/Woodruff Road interchange quickly becomes a restaurant row.

“We have started to call this area Uptown Greenville, and we are excited to see other business and other restaurants coming into the area,” says Peter Lieu, owner of Azia and Lieu’s Chinese Bistro.

Mike Evans and Keith Marshall are renovating the vacant Bob Evans location with plans to open Pinky’s, a meat-and-three establishment, according to sources. Meanwhile, Rick Godleys is the new franchisee for Indigo Joe’s, a 7,500-square-foot family sports bar and restaurant currently under construction.

“It has a dining area with 54 high-definition televisions and a kids’ game room,” Godleys says of Indigo Joe’s. “It’s going to be a family-type of sports bar, where a lady can come in by herself and wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.”

Godleys is a jack-of-all-trades. He founded Regional Finance Corp. in Greenville, a consumer finance company. He sold the business in March to Palladium Equity Partners LLC, a New York venture capital company. Godleys still owns 10 percent.

Along with two partners, Godleys had owned – and has since sold – Carolina Barbeque in Spartanburg. He also buys, sells and trains barrel racing horses in Fountain Inn.

Godleys says he’s investing close to $4 million in the restaurant. The televisions account for $210,000. Indigo Joe’s is scheduled to open in mid-November.

“The menu is very diverse,” he says, “from hamburger to filet mignon.”

Indigo Joe’s and Pinky’s will join neighbors Sticky Fingers, Blue Fire Grill and Azia, an 8,000-square-foot sushi and Asian fusion restaurant that opened in mid-July.

Evans and Marshall operate Flat Rock Grille and Blue Fire Grill in the Upstate. Evans was a founder of Flat Rock Grille, which was acquired by a Tampa, Fla., venture capital group in 2006. But just last month, Azalea Management & Leasing in Asheville, N.C., acquired the restaurant group and brought back Evans and Marshall.

Evans and Marshall could not be reached for comment. According to county records, Market Point Drive LLC purchased the Bob Evans building for $2.2 million in August.

Crews last week were stripping the wallpaper and pulling up the carpet.
Location could not be blamed for the Bob Evans closure, according to Doug Williams, senior retail professional at Grubb & Ellis|The Furman Co.

“Bob Evans wasn’t really established well in the South and it really was a corporate decision,” he says. “They had a great piece of property in one of the top restaurant areas.”

California-based Neighborhood Sports Pub Concepts Inc. has one Indigo Joe’s franchise in Florence, three in Georgia and one in North Carolina. Godleys has franchise rights for the Upstate. His two sons, Alan and Tyler, and brother-in-law, Randy Lowe, will help operate the restaurant.

“I think it’s going to be a very good area for restaurants,” Rick Godleys says.

Two other restaurants, Doc Chey’s and Cracker Barrel, are within the Shops at The Point. Across Woodruff Road at The Shops at Greenridge, LongHorn Steakhouse is currently hiring for an October opening.

LongHorn is relocating from the Haywood Road area. Other restaurants at Greenridge are Panera Bread, Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery, Red Robin, Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, P.F. Chang’s and Mimis Cafe.

Another 11,000 square feet of retail space is under construction at Greenridge. Leasing agent Charles Thrift says a 7,500-square-foot building planned to open in front of Best Buy in the first quarter of 2008 will complete the shopping center.

“It’s been better than we ever anticipated,” he says. “We could add more today if we had more space.”

Azia’s Lieu says the Point-Greenridge location is central to the Upstate.

“We compare it to areas like Buckhead in Atlanta, and with all of the growth around us over the next 10 years, it is the hottest growth area in the Upstate,” he says.

Behind Shops at the Point, McChesney Investment Advisors LLC is serving as master developer for a 75-acre redevelopment of the former Hoechst Celanese fiber plant, a portion of which had already been redeveloped into the Crescent Center.

Spokesman Scott Drake says Atlanta-based McChesney plans to close its purchase of the property this fall. The 850,000-square-foot building would be demolished, making room for retail, office, residential and hotel space. The project could break ground in mid-2008.

“Shrink the office buildings 10 to 11 stories, it should feel like you are walking around downtown Greenville,” Drake says. “That’s what we envision, a very dense site plan.”

Drake says the property has two areas suitable for large retail partners, including a 14-acre site fronting I-85.

“Most of what we are looking at are high-end, lifestyle retail or small boutique-type stores,” he says.

According to Drake, McChesney will seek five to 10 development partners.

“For every component that we have out, there are interested parties that are in negotiations with us,” he says.

Here is a good article in GSA Business about booming "Uptown Greenville"

http://www.gsabusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&item=33

This is going to be a second urban area for Greenville, and will really pack a punch in terms of industry and retail. Very exciting!

EDIT: I just noticed that g-man was posting this just as I was. Perfect timing! :lol:

^^:lol: That's Greenville for you. Always on top of things.

Word from Judy Gilstrap is that Project Skyline is still alive.

^^I hope to have an update on the current status of that project later today. Most likely it's on hold, but I need confirmation first. Seeing how it's such a great day outside, i'd thought I post some great news. It's about damn time and I hope every other county in the state steps up like Georgia did:

Pickens council takes step to halt hiring of illegals

Published: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Scott Keeler
STAFF WRITER
dskeeler@greenvillenews.com

The Pickens County Council voted Monday night to begin preparing a proposed ordinance to help stop businesses from hiring illegal immigrants.

The vote was 5 to 1, and the proposal will go now to a committee.

During a public forum, Clemson's Margaret Thompson asked council members to come up with a way for closer reviews of the hiring practices by businesses that may be employing illegal immigrants.

Council Vice Chairman Ben Trotter agreed with Thompson. Later in the council meeting, Trotter made a motion for the council to seek an ordinance to help stop businesses from hiring illegal immigrants.

"We've got a bunch of illegals that have come here and are taking jobs, and we've made it easy for them to take the jobs," said Trotter.

"When our sheriff's department locks up someone, they need to call IC (Immigration Control) and make sure they are here legally. If not, let them do their time and get them out of here."

On another matter, Steve Collins spoke on behalf of the 30 homeowners of the Outer Banks of Keowee residential development about the lack of fire hydrants in the community. Collins said they need a six-inch water line extension to install one or two fire hydrants.

Collins said a $29,000 grant has been secured to help offset the costs of installing a fire hydrant in the community, but that the Six Mile Water District board rejected an initial request for installation.

"I've been working on this for 21/2 years, and I've talked to everybody I can talk to," said Collins. "I've not gotten any results."

He added, "We've have already had one fire there and lost an entire structure."

Collins said the cost of installing one fire hydrant would be $34,000. He said residents of the Outer Banks of Keowee have agreed to pay the remaining $5,000 after the grant money is used.

I thought I was against illegal immigration, but you seem to be obsessed!!! Good to know there are measures taken, though. We don't want the wrong crowd crossing our borders ;) I have to recognize one good thing about illegal immigrants: they never complain about projects being too tall :lol:

^^I can't think of a response except for this one. :( :lol:

Company shops Southeast sites
Shaw Group looking for a place to put an assembly plant for its nuclear power business

Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Rudolph Bell
BUSINESS WRITER

The Shaw Group Inc., an engineering and heavy construction company based in Baton Rouge, La., said it's searching the Southeast for the right place to build an assembly operation related to nuclear power that could employ between 500 and 1,000 people.

But the company won't say whether it's looking in South Carolina.

Shaw Group spokesman Sean Clancy said Tuesday his company is evaluating 25 sites in nine Southeastern states for the facility, which would assemble components that would go in new nuclear power plants.

The Shaw Group builds power plants and is one of numerous engineering and heavy construction companies gearing up for an expected wave of new nuclear power plants. Charlotte-based Duke Energy has said it has hired The Shaw Group to build a new nuclear plant it's considering in Gaffney.
Advertisement

The Shaw Group also fabricates industrial piping systems and says it's certified to assemble piping systems for nuclear power plants.

Clancy said the company has solicited and received incentives packages from the nine states, but won't identify the states. The Shaw Group hopes to have the assembly operation up and running by the summer of 2009, he said.

"There will be no nuclear material on the site," Clancy said.

Kara Borie, spokeswoman for the South Carolina Department of Commerce, wouldn't comment on whether South Carolina has sent an incentives proposal to The Shaw Group.

Jerry Howard, president of the Greenville Area Development Corp., Greenville County's industrial recruiting organization, said he hadn't heard of the Lousiana company's plans.

But Howard said, "Greenville, South Carolina, sets the standard for excellence in engineering. I couldn't imagine there being a better location than here."

The Associated Press quoted Jim Bernhard, The Shaw Group's chief executive officer, as saying the company over the last two years has hired 1,000 people in Charlotte, where a key part of its rapdily growing Power Division is located.

"We're able to recruit better quality engineers there than Baton Rouge," The Associated Press quoted Bernhard as saying. "They bring all forces to bear to bring industry there."

The Shaw Group competes with Fluor Corp., a Texas-based engineering and heavy construction company that employs more than 2,500 in Greenville.

In March, Fluor identified Greenville as the headquarters for a new unit to design and build nuclear power plants. Last month, Fluor said it's been hired to design and build two proposed nuclear reactors near Bay City, Texas.



New classroom building approved at Greenville Tech campus
$4.2 million in new county bonds will be used

Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 7:47 am
Updated: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 7:49 am

By Ben Szobody
Staff Writer
bszobody@greenvillenews.com

Greenville Technical College will use $4.2 million in new county bonds to build another classroom building at its new Berea campus and renovate the auditorium and student center at its main campus after final approval by County Council Tuesday.

Councilman Fred Payne, a recently retired executive at Greenville Tech and now a consultant for the Greenville Tech Foundation, voted in favor of the bond issue along with a unanimous council.

The Greenville News has reported that the state Ethics Commission gave Payne the go-ahead to vote on public measures involving Greenville Tech while he consults for the school’s nonprofit fundraising foundation.

State ethics law says a public official may not use his office to influence a decision in which "a business with which he is associated has an economic interest," but a legal opinion written for Payne last year says Greenville Tech "is not a business with which you are associated."

As a consultant for the foundation, Payne has said he works on Greenville Tech’s charter school and student housing programs.

No one spoke in a public hearing held Tuesday night on the new bond issue, and there was no discussion among council members.

New buildings at the school’s developing 173-acre Northwest campus extend more courses to the Berea area that students would otherwise drive to Greenville or Simpsonville to take.

Master plans call for 10 or 12 buildings in the future.

The South Financial Group Foundation investment to fund CU-ICAR gallery

CLEMSON — A $1.5-million investment by Carolina First, through The South Financial Group Foundation, will provide a unique gallery setting in the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) for the public display of international automotive visual arts, innovative research initiatives and other exhibits.

The Carolina First Gallery also will serve as a focal point for welcoming and entertaining guests and will provide a space for events and announcements.

The Carolina First Gallery will be located in Innovation Place in Technology Neighborhood One of the CU-ICAR complex. Innovation Place will serve as the official welcome point for visitors and, in addition to the Carolina First Gallery, will house the CU-ICAR offices, a cafe, a parking garage and a fitness center. The complex opens onto the Collaboration Plaza, and the flexible space creates a welcoming environment for both indoor and outdoor activities.

The Carolina First Gallery’s neighbors in Technology Neighborhood One include the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center, the BMW Information Technology Research Center and Timken’s worldwide powertrain research and development center.

“We are very grateful for Carolina First’s generous support in what will be one of the most public aspects of CU-ICAR,” said Clemson University President James F. Barker.

“This is just the latest example of Carolina First’s involvement in and support of CU-ICAR. They have been an active and enthusiastic participant from the beginning.”

“We are honored to be a partner with CU-ICAR for the Carolina First Gallery,” said Mack Whittle, chairman and CEO of Carolina First. “CU-ICAR is an outstanding example of our community’s initiative, partnerships and achievements, and Carolina First is proud not only to be a part of this innovative project but also a future neighbor.”

According to CU-ICAR Executive Director Bob Geolas, the gallery already has generated interest.

“The community is aware that we have this great space available and we have had many calls in anticipation of its availability,” he said. “We are very excited about being able to use the Carolina First Gallery for a variety of community events and activities and see it as a great way to share CU-ICAR with the public. We thank Carolina First for providing what we believe will become a very popular gathering place.”

Developers consider 11-acre shopping center in Clemson

Lisa DeMaria/Special to the Independent-Mail

Monday, September 10, 2007

CLEMSON — Raj Patel and Marty Navarro discussed their preliminary plans for the development of a commercial space on the corner of Old Greenville Highway and Berkeley Drive at the Clemson Planning Commission meeting Monday evening.

Mr. Patel and Mr. Navarro said they are considering a shopping center for the 11.44-acre property. Their potential plans involve the development of a shopping center with a variety of retail shops and restaurants.

“Right now it’s very preliminary, very conceptual,” said Mr. Navarro of Navarro Real Estate of Greenville. He mentioned Trader Joe’s, a Barnes & Noble as the types of businesses they would like to have.

There were concerns regarding possible traffic difficulties on Berkeley Drive, but Mr. Patel disagreed.

“I would look at this as an asset for Berkeley Drive,” Mr. Patel said.

The next step will be for Mr. Patel and Mr. Navarro to request an informal public meeting to discuss the project. No timetable was presented for the project.

Sharon Richardson, director of planning and codes administration, also presented a review of the architectural standards for District 3. This district includes the section of Tiger Boulevard running from Hartwell Lake to Route 93, also known as “Tiger Boulevard and Anderson Highway Commercial Corridor.”

The possible new standards include new restrictions on curb cuts and new landscaping requirements. Ms. Richardson said that any projects already been approved will be vested. The new restrictions will apply to new facilities and redevelopments.

“This is one of those things that’s going to be incremental,” she said.

The council also heard from Steve Sefick regarding proposed changes to his property at 220 Issaqueena Trail. Mr. Sefick, the owner of the Sleepy Hollow Bed and Breakfast, is seeking to make additions to the property in order to host events, such as wedding receptions and church events. Mr. Sefick’s proposed changes include the addition of an extra driveway, a small parking lot and an outdoor grilling area.

Mr. Sefick was seeking input from the commission before submitting a final proposal. An informal meeting was previously held to discuss the changes. Mr. Sefick’s property is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites.

The next meeting of the planning commission will be held Oct. 8.

Potential Trader Joes site plan: http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-16_conceptual_site_plan.pdf

Information: http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-16_existing_berkeley_place_ordinance.pdf (page 7 & 8)

We would like to welcome you to the newest, greatest thing for Clemson.

Part1:
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part1a.pdf and
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part1b.pdf

Part 2:
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part2a.pdf and
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part2b.pdf

Part 3:
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part3a.pdf and
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part3b.pdf

Part 4: http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part4a.pdf and
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part4b.pdf

Part 5: http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part5a.pdf and
http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_Regulations_Part5b.pdf

Planning Commission staff report: http://www.cityofclemson.org/files/Planning_Commission/Agenda_items/R-07-08_PD_final_staff_report.pdf

That is quite a project!!! Very impressive :okay:

Construction has started on the Kohl's, Staples, Dick's Sporting Goods, Hardee's, etc. development in Anderson. Site plan: http://www.realtylinkdev.com/uploads/Developements/AndersonClemson/site_plan1.pdf




Demolition starts at Anderson Mall
Old movie theater, Belk's men's store to make way for Dillard's

Lisa DeMaria
Friday, September 21, 2007

As in the children’s song, Anderson Mall is falling down, falling down, falling down.

Demolition of the mall’s old movie theater and Belk men’s store is making room for Dillard’s department store. Building permits filed with the city of Anderson estimate the cost of the site work at $576,600.

Dillard’s will be 126,000 square feet, while the Belk men’s store was only 50,000 square feet. The foundation for Dillard’s should be in by the beginning of December, and the store is expected to open in October 2008, said Shane McWhorter, Anderson Mall’s general manager.

Previously announced exterior renovations should be complete about the same time as the Dillard’s opening. Anderson Mall was built in 1972, and its outside has remained relatively unchanged since 1984.

The demolition for Dillard’s is the first major construction on the mall since its interior renovation in 2002.

Exterior renovations will give the mall the look and feel of a lifestyle center. The concept combines shopping with a park atmosphere — lots of outdoor seating and details aimed at making the experience more relaxing. The transformation should start after the winter holidays and Christmas shopping season.

“It’s real popular right now with malls,” Mr. McWhorter said about the lifestyle center concept. “It’s kind of different from the original mall form.”

A road around the mall has been blocked for five weeks, and mall officials are trying to make the transition as easy on customers as possible. None of the mall’s customers have complained since the first weekend, he said.

The lifestyle center improvements are making Anderson Mall more attractive to retailers as well as shoppers, Mr. McWhorter said. Several stores, most notably Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret, have expanded, relocated or updated their stores as a result of the Dillard’s addition and mall renovation.

Trends, an urban fashion retailer, recently moved from the soon-to-be Dillard’s wing to a storefront beside Sears. Massage Effects plans to open a massage clinic next week between Master Cuts and Battle Cat Toys in the food court, Mr. McWhorter said.

Wet Seal, a trendy teen clothing chain, will take over the space vacated by Express men’s store in July. Building permits estimate the cost of Wet Seal’s tenant up-fit at $123,000, and the store is expected to open in November, Mr. McWhorter said.

“We’ve already gotten interest because of what we’re doing,” he said, adding that other retailers are also eyeing space in the mall. “We’re moving in the right direction.”

That is quite a project!!! Very impressive :okay:

Yes indeed. I drive by the site everyday to and from school, so it will definitely be nice when it's complete. Construction hasn't started yet, but when it does you can expect photos. :cheers:

:nuts: There's not enough Starbuck's or grocery stores, so we need more: http://www.realtylinkdev.com/uploads/Developements/SimpsonvilleWoodruff/SimpsonvilleWoodruff_package.pdf

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/0C1FE0F5-92FF-45AC-97AA-0F4164507B8.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/59C19522-B05B-49B1-8783-02A1178B02A.jpg

Both Battery Park Towne Center and Rosewood Mall have the green light. This is according to emails I received today from the developers of the two projects. They did not tell me when construction would start though.

Battery Park: http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=15276467&SearchID=293012602&SearchResultID=293012602&ResultCount=14&PageNumber=1&FromLocation=MarketMyListings&ItemIndex=1&PageSize=50&NoBrandingView=true&fname=RealtiCorp&lname=LLC&user=tplayer@realticorp.com&PgCxtGuid=a50d661e-52e3-4344-937b-b0bb041c2500&PgCxtFLKey=&PgCxtCurFLKey=MarketMyListings&PgCxtDir=Down

Rosewood Mall: http://www.rosewoodcentersite.com/



Here is the email regarding Battery Park. The one for Rosewood was so short, it wasn't even worth posting:

Jacob -

Thank you for your interest in our project. We do not yet have a firm date on commencement of construction activities. We're currently working with Anderson County Economic Development, Transportation, Building and Codes and the Planning Dept as well as SC DOT and the utility providers through various levels of entitlement. We're also talking with interested office and retail end users as well as residential developers. We're excited about our project and the opportunity to bring a true sustainable, mixed-use development to Anderson County. We're being careful in our land planning to incorporate pedestrian friendly access and design the site on a human scale. We are preserving the existing creeks on site as well as creating large green spaces and parks. We strive to incorporate the natural environmental and geographic characteristics of the site in the master plan. The current design calls for a town green that would host concerts and other events.

As we proceed with the entitlement process, we hope to have the platform to request input from interested citizens and neighbors. If we want to improve the quality of life of the County residents and create something they can be proud of, it is important to ask for their input.

Best,

Reggie D.Bell

This is to show you just how close all of these large developments are to one another: http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Web20Aerial203-06.jpg

Yes, they are very close... Looks like Verdae Development is going to make a HUGE difference in that area, not that the rest of the developments will not. How far is downtown from the area we see in the photo?

Yes, they are very close... Looks like Verdae Development is going to make a HUGE difference in that area, not that the rest of the developments will not. How far is downtown from the area we see in the photo?

6 miles.

edit: wrong thread.

;) I'll give you one guess as to who that resident was: http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/sep/25/site-plans-give-insight-retail-negotiations/ Remember who posted the site plan in post #1304 that is no longer found? RealtyLink told the reporter I emailed the site plan to that the plans were accidently put on their website. :lol:

EDIT. Looks like the Independent-Mail was smart and saved the site plan unlike me: http://web.independentmail.com/web/2007/realty-links-marketing-packet.pdf

Board OKs $3 million for Donaldson Center
Improvements could help keep 1,200 Lockheed jobs in Greenville

Published: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Tim Smith
CAPITAL BUREAU

COLUMBIA -- The State Budget and Control Board on Tuesday approved $3 million for the Donaldson Center Industrial Air Park to keep Lockheed Martin and its 1,200 employees at the southern Greenville County facility.

Gov. Mark Sanford had previously proposed $1 million of the amount come from a $1 million grant. Tuesday's votes on the issue concerned a $2 million energy loan to be repaid by the Legislature.

But the votes came over the lengthy objections of Sanford, who approved of funding Donaldson but warned that using a $2 million loan to do it was risky, given sour state revenue forecasts next year. Sanford had asked that the money come from a competitive grants program administered by the board and used in the past by some lawmakers for pet projects.

"My objection is it's stacking a loan on top of a loan," Sanford said, referring to $18 billion in state liabilities. "We don't know what's going to happen from a revenue standpoint next year."

The 4-1 vote capped weeks of public disagreement between the Republican governor and the Republican speaker of the House, Bobby Harrell, on how to best fund the need.

Harrell was in Greenville on Tuesday and announced the vote to strong applause.

"I think the long-term health of South Carolina's economy is really centered more around helping existing business and industry around the state expand, and I expect to talk about that a lot in the coming year," he told the Rotary Club of Greenville.

Candy Eslinger, a spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin, said the company is still in lease negotiations with Donaldson Center officials.

"The fact that the state of South Carolina has always been very supportive of Lockheed Martin and of economic development in general, we applaud the efforts of the governor and the state legislators in directing additional funding to the Upstate to upgrade Donaldson Center facilities," she said.

Eslinger would not elaborate on the negotiations, or say if the recent proposal would lead to a new deal.

The funding will be used to improve leaky hangars and make other infrastructure improvements at the facility, officials said. Of the $3 million approved, $1 million will come from a grant and $1.92 million will come from a loan from the State Energy Office, to be repaid next year by lawmakers.

The funding problem was caused because most of the $3 million originally had been placed on a legislative spending "wish list" that could only be spent if surplus revenues appeared.

When state Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom announced in August that revenues at the end of the fiscal year had fallen $81 million short of what lawmakers had hoped, officials scrambled to try and find the Donaldson money elsewhere.

Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence, one of two legislative leaders that sit on the five-member Budget and Control Board, told Sanford that it would be "foolhardy" for the state not to do everything it could to keep the jobs at Donaldson.

But Sanford said that wasn't the point.

"We're all in agreement that everything should be done to retain the 1,200 jobs at Donaldson," Sanford told the board. "The point of contention is how we do that."

Rep. Dan Cooper, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a member of the board, presented the proposal. He disagreed with Sanford that the loan could potentially take away money that could be used for education or other state needs if revenues dry up next year.

He said the Donaldson Center funding was a one-time expense. He said afterward he looked at an energy loan instead of using the competitive grants because he wanted to get the money to Donaldson quickly.

Sanford, who noted that lawmakers hadn't informed his office about the plan until the meeting, lectured Leatherman and Cooper about what had led to the funding shortfall. And he even reworded the motion for the funding to express his concerns.

"All those in favor of borrowing $2 million from the taxpayers of South Carolina to pay back one day in the future, maybe, maybe not, please say aye," Sanford said.

Leatherman, Cooper and Treasurer Converse Chellis voted yes, while Sanford objected. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom was connected to the meeting by phone and those in the room couldn't hear how he voted. He told The Greenville News later that he didn't vote in favor of the plan as it was first presented because it would have cost more than $3 million.

When Cooper pointed out that Sanford's motion wasn't the same as his, the governor said, "The fact of the matter is we are jamming the taxpayers for another $2 million that they have to come up with down the road. We're jamming other agencies for not being able to spend $2 million for critical needs that they will have next year. And this is the application of the ruthless funding that in fact created this problem with Donaldson in the first place."

The board, at Eckstrom's request, then agreed to reduce the loan amount by $71,000, since that money had already been provided in the budget. The vote on the amended resolution was 4-1, with Sanford objecting.

Harrell said South Carolina is too small a state to have fights over funding for needs such as Donaldson.

"The thing that just went on with Donaldson, frankly, I was surprised by the inability (of the state Department of Commerce to fund it)," he said. "I thought we could use $2 million in commerce money ... all it took is a phone call to do that. But I couldn't get that done, so we went through all these hoops to get the energy office."

Donaldson contributes more than $222 million to the state's economy each year, according to Harrell's office.

"This effort from lawmakers across our state speaks volumes about their dedication to building a stronger economy in South Carolina," said Jody Bryson, executive director of the Donaldson Center. "The Donaldson Development Commission greatly thanks everyone involved for all the support."

Hubbell Lighting. I'll have more pics later:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture783.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture784.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture782.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture780.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture779.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture781.jpg

Across I-85 from the Carolina First corporate headquarters site where that big plot of land is under construction will be the Cascades at Verdae retirement village. Northwest of there where the other big plot of land under construction is at will be Hollingsworth Park TND and Legacy Park. All are in the first phase of Verdae:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture826.jpg

Village at Pelham hospital:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture812.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture810.jpg

Cascades at Verdae:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture805.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture804.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture803.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture798.jpg

Easley votes to create Saco Lowell tax district

Published: Saturday, September 29, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Julie Howle
STAFF WRITER

The Saco Lowell site might be one step closer to redevelopment thanks to an Easley City Council vote Friday.

City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance that would create a tax increment financing district for Saco Lowell on U.S. 123. The measure needs a second reading.

City Administrator Fox Simons said the vote starts the process of creating a TIF district for the 108 acres in the Saco Lowell area.

Rep. Phillip Owens, R-Pickens County, said Saco Lowell is a "choice piece of property" that will be beneficial for the area.

"I think this is an opportunity for us to put aside politics and personal agendas and work as a team -- the city, the county and the school board -- to create these jobs and to create a positive economic impact in this area," Owens said.

Official notification will be delivered to the county and school district next week to seek their partnership in the plan, Simons said.

"The district will not be officially created until and unless the other entities participate," he said.

Simons said they have 45 days after the notice to decide whether they want to participate.

He said the current plan is for 20 years but is flexible. Under the plan, the city could issue up to $15 million in bonds and could make up to $25 million in improvements.

When a TIF district is created, the tax base is frozen, Simons said, and whatever the taxing entities are receiving in tax revenue from that property is what they will continue to receive over the life of the plan.

Any incremental growth in tax revenue is kept and used for improvements on the property, including infrastructure and streetscape.

"This is not a tax break," Simons said. "They will still be required to pay the taxes. ... It's just where the tax revenue goes."

Originally the city tried to get the site established as a multicounty park, but the idea stalled.

David Scarnati, director of development with Cedarwood Development, the group planning to turn the Saco Lowell site into Easley Town Center, a retail shopping complex, said the group is still moving ahead with the project and said the vote Friday is a major step forward.

"The TIF will allow us to bring the infrastructure up to the levels needed to support this development and other development in the surrounding area," Scarnati said.

Thanks for the nice pics, g-man!!!

^^You're welcome. I'll have more to post on Sunday. :)

Hubbell Lighting. I'll have more pics later:
...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture781.jpg

There is a great article with splendid photos of Hubbell in the current edition of Greenville Design magazine. :)

^^Thanks for the FYI. I might have to check that out. :)

Homewood Suites:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture806.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture808.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture807.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture809.jpg

Greenville Hospital System's new Greer campus:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture814.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture815.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture818.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture819.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture816.jpg

How the Hell do you find all this time to take and process so many photos? I am overwhelmed!!! Anyway, thanks for sharing your work with us :)

^^Hint: It involves RedBull. :lol: Would you believe this isn't all of them either? :D

Well, keep it up and don't stop drinking that stuff ;)

^^I won't and I can't stop drinking that stuff. It's addicting. I'll keep it up for sure. :)

Grffin Park new community building with retail and office space: http://www.greenvillecounty.org/County_Council/_Agenda/PSPD/CZ-2007-61.pdf

Greenville's Renaissance

By Dale Funk, Contributing Editor

September 2007

Once the textile capital of the world, Greenville, S.C., now aggressively markets itself as a premier location for corporate headquarters and major manufacturing facilities. Located just over 100 miles from Charlotte, N.C., in the Southeast's busy I-85 corridor, Greenville was once home to 13 large mills producing textiles for everything from household goods to clothing. When many of those mills moved overseas, Greenville was left with abandoned factories and rising unemployment.

Over the past 25 years, Greenville had to reinvent itself and attract different types of businesses. Hubbell Lighting recently opened its new headquarters in Greenville; Michelin Tire Corp. built its largest manufacturing plant and North American headquarters in the area; and BMW has one of its largest and greenest manufacturing facilities outside of Germany there. While Greenville has not seen the explosive growth of larger southeastern cities such as Charlotte or Atlanta, its population is expected to grow at a steady 5-percent clip through 2011. Greenville County has 417,166 residents, and the 10-county “Upstate region” of South Carolina has 1,297,943 residents.

The city's formula for success — offering many big-city amenities in a low-hassle small city — appears to be working, as the metropolitan area has seen more than $1.4 billion in new capital investment and 6,000 new jobs in the last five years. According to the Greenville Area Development Corp., in the past few decades, the South Carolina Upstate region had more foreign investment per capita than any other region in the United States.

The downtown has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, thanks to several public/private ventures that have built hotels, office buildings, stores, restaurants, and condominiums. After the textile industry left, Greenville's downtown was scarred with the blight of abandoned brick buildings. Many of those buildings were turned into lofts, artist studios, restaurants and other small businesses. Few national chain restaurants or stores are in downtown Greenville, as city planners strived to attract independently owned and operated business to give the downtown a distinctly homey feel.

In Greenville's Falls Park on the Reedy, the Liberty Bridge is nationally known in architectural circles for its innovative suspension design. It crosses Reedy River and links the walking/biking trails that wander through the downtown area. Greenville now even has its own miniature version of Boston's famed Fenway Park. West End Field, home to the Greenville Drive, the Boston Red Sox “A” League minor-league baseball team, has the same dimensions as Fenway Park and a miniature version of Fenway's Green Monster.

Greenville, like many cities, was faced with a dying downtown in the 1960s as shopping centers lured major developers, retailers and consumers to the suburbs. Howard Pickett, of George Pickett & Associates, a manufacturers' rep in Apex, N.C., says the downtown was “rough and not a place to be in, before the redevelopment. Old mom-and-pop shops left to go to the suburbs,” he said.

That has changed. The redevelopment of downtown Greenville began 25 to 30 years ago with a solid plan, says Sam Johnson, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Farmer Electrical Sales Inc., a manufacturers' rep in Greensboro, N.C. The renaissance began in the late 1970s with a streetscape plan that changed Main Street from a four-lane thoroughfare to a two-lane tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly cityscape. The first successful project in the rebuilding of downtown Greenville was Greenville Commons, which included a Hyatt Regency hotel, convention center, stores, parking and a public park. Previously, there had been no major hotel downtown. The 1990s brought a new performing arts complex, the Peace Center for the Performing Arts.

After 2000, Johnson says Reedy River running through downtown became the focus of redevelopment. This is when Falls Park on the Reedy was built. When the park was completed, demand for condos and retail space nearby exploded, he says.

Condominium units have been popular downtown. “Both high-end and moderate-level units are so popular they are auctioned off at preconstruction,” says Steve Deaver, Greenville area manager for Electri-Products Group Inc., a manufacturers' rep based in Greensboro, N.C.

Downtown Greenville has also developed into a dining and entertainment destination. The downtown's central business district of about 1.75 square miles now has more than 3 million square feet of office space, about 80 restaurants and about 130 shops, according to a May 12 article that appeared in the Huntsville Times.

Mickey Hughes, president of Southeastern Electrical Distributors, Greenville, says his company participated in many of the downtown projects, including the Peace Center for the Performing Arts; The BiLo Center, a 17,000-seat arena; and Riverplace Condo. Similarly, Electri-Products Group's Steve Deaver said his company provided electrical products through electrical distribution for Liberty Center and Falls Park, the Peace Center and the baseball park.

Several more projects are on the drawing boards for downtown Greenville, including McBee Station, a 14-acre development that includes apartments, lofts, condos, a Publix supermarket, Staples, other stores and restaurants. The city's Design and Preservation Commission also recently approved revised plans for the Peacock Hotel & Spa, an eight-story luxury hotel.

This construction has attracted many electrical distributors, and today 30 to 40 electrical distributors compete for business in the greater Greenville area, says Earl Jones, commodities manager of Shealy Electrical Wholesalers, Greenville. Two years ago, recognizing that it needed more room to grow, Shealy Electrical Wholesalers sold the downtown location it had occupied since 1945. The company, which focuses on the industrial/OEM, contractor, automation, residential and utility markets throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, is now located near the I-85 corridor, says Jones, who has been with the company for 38 years.

Deaver of Electri-Products Group Inc., says diversification is the biggest change in the Greenville market he has seen since moving there six years ago from Rock Hill, S.C. He has been covering the Greenville territory for 10 years. “This area has diversified in the types of businesses and enterprises that are here,” he says. “This used to be mills and plants and that sort of thing, but it has diversified.”


The I-85 growth corridor:
When Hubbell Lighting outgrew its leased offices in Spartanburg, S.C., the company began looking at other locations. Senior management first considered relocating the company to Asheville, N.C., or Savannah, Ga., but wanted to retain the company's seasoned employees, so they chose to make the move a short one and build the new headquarters along I-85 just 26 miles away in Greenville.

“Greenville was the obvious best choice for the company's relocation,” says Ken Beale, Hubbell Lighting's director of marketing services. “Many companies throughout the Upstate area of South Carolina strongly compete in the global marketplace. As a medium-sized market, the 10-county Upstate region comprises one of the strongest manufacturing centers in the United States. The region consistently attracts large international and domestic firms like the 111 Fortune 500 companies that maintain facilities in the area.”

Herm Isenstein, president, DISC Corp., Orange, Conn., sees strong growth continuing for Greenville. Isenstein forecasts that electrical distributors in the Greenville area will sell approximately $225 million in electrical products this year — up 7.5 percent from last year.

Some new projects that have been announced for the I-85 corridor include:
-Datran will invest $5 million and anticipates the creation of 70 new jobs at its U.S. operations in Greenville County. Datran provides surface finishing for OEMs and plastic parts manufacturers within the automotive, recreational vehicle and sports equipment industries.

-Sealed Air Corp., a plastic packaging manufacturer, is adding a customer service center in Greenville County that would employ between 100 and 150.

-Cytec Industries Inc., Columbia, S.C., will build a new facility in Greenville.


The housing market:
Although Greenville's residential market has slowed from last year, the news is still good, in part because land is still affordable and housing is relatively inexpensive compared to other markets. The median sale price for an existing single-family home in the Greenville area was $152,500, compared to the national median of $223,800, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Building permits for the 10-county upstate area of South Carolina are down 8.1 percent for the second quarter of 2007 from a year ago, but that doesn't signal a major downturn in the region's home-building market, according to an Aug. 11 article in The Greenville News. Dale Akins, president of The Market Edge, a Knoxville-based firm that tracks residential and commercial building trends, said the decrease in the South Carolina's Upstate region is “just a natural ebb-and-flow.”

Electri-Products Group's Steve Deaver also believes the drop in the region's building permits for the second quarter of 2007 may just be a “hiccup” in the residential business. He points out that in Simpsonville, S.C., about 15 miles outside of Greenville, Jelks/Little LLC is developing Griffin Park, a large-scale community that will have more than 1,000 single-family houses and townhouses on 300-plus acres. Griffin Park is expected to take 12 to 15 years to complete.

Pickett of George Pickett and Associates says although the housing market has been extremely strong, it's showing signs of slowing down. He has noticed the slowdown in his company's sales of rough-in packages as well as finished packages for the contractors. “It has grown to the north and east, but in recent years it has grown south and west as well,” he says. “The residential market is currently slowing down due to being overbuilt.”


Greenville by the Numbers:
2007 sales through electrical distributors. $225 million in electrical products this year, a 7.5 percent-increase over 2006, according to forecast data provided by DISC Corp., Orange, Conn., for www.ewhotspots.com.


Major construction projects underway:
McBee Station is a 14-acre development located between East McBee Ave. and East Broad St. in downtown Greenville that includes apartments, condos, a Publix supermarket, Staples, other retail establishments and restaurants. Publix opened in late August. More than 270 luxury apartments and 22 condos and additional retail space are under construction as part of the McBee Station development.

The Pinnacle on Main, located at the gateway to Greenville's downtown, offers a mix of office, retail and residential space with amenities that other properties do not offer. It will be one of Greenville's tallest buildings and will be visible for miles.

Awww, the poor people on UP are bored. Somebody should give them some updates. ;)

Pickens County vision turns toward action
Saco Lowell site, quality of life draw attention

Francis B. Allgood, Managing Editor

Following several town hall meetings, focus groups, individual interviews and months of written and on-line comments, Pickens County now has a vision for the future. The challenge for a new, 19-member steering committee being formed to take on Pickens County’s Vision 2025 plan is to take that vision and create results.

“The quality of life is phenomenal – you wouldn’t want to live anyplace else,” says Gerald Sweitzer, co-chair of Pickens County Vision 2025. “How can we help the overall environment so that our kids will stay around or come back?” Topping the list includes promoting the county as a gateway to mountains and lakes, providing infrastructure for commercial enterprise, preserving healthy lifestyles, strengthening education and maintaining the unique identity of communities in Pickens County.

“I think the follow-up is critical,” says state Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens). “It’s going to take more than a steering committee.” In the next 60 days, the steering committee will be put into place to create tangible projects. “We have to take the input from the citizens and put them into some concrete ideas,” says committee member Sid Collins, chief executive of the Pickens County YMCA. “Preserve green space? Well, what does that mean?”

Whereas a similar visioning process for Greenville has a more metropolitan focus, Martin says Pickens County needs to do a better job promoting lakes and mountains. “We need to strengthen our tourism,” he says. “We need to gel some relationships that need to be worked on between the County Council, the municipalities and the (legislative) delegation.” The importance of a planned community starts with the Saco Lowell manufacturing site, which is being proposed for redevelopment as The Easley Town Center.

“It’s the largest economic development project that’s occurred in Pickens County in recent years,” says Kent Dykes, president of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. “It’s the equivalent of getting big industry.” The upscale shopping center proposed by Ohio-based Ceaderwood Development would bring 900 new jobs, according to Easley City Manager Jonathan Simons. “The impact will be felt for many years to come to surrounding properties as a result,” he says.

The General Assembly had offered $950,000 in state funds to help with road improvements for the project, but that money was eliminated when revenue projections came up short. “We still we think we’ve got it figured out, but we’re not all the way there,” Simons says. “We’re still in development mode, trying to nail down the funding sources we will need to proceed.” Infrastructure improvements to the site total $13.5 million and are being divided among the developer, city, county and state Department of Transportation.

“The developers are chipping in a combination of different sources,” Simons says. “We’re sizing up the bonds to be issued.” Simons says he’s hopeful demolition of the former Saco Lowell plant will start later this fall. The major headache is creating access to the site. The steep, narrow Prince Perry Road Bridge that crosses over a nearby railroad line would not be able to handle the increased traffic.

Chip Bentle, senior planner with the Appalachian Council of Governments, says accessing the property from U.S. Highway 123 will be difficult and may take away the right-of-way to expand U.S. 123 in the future. The Pickens County transportation committee has requested $1.5 million still under the direction of ACOG to be used toward planning an extension of S.C. Highway 153 to the back of the property.

When S.C. 153 was originally built from Interstate 85 in Anderson County to U.S. 123 in Easley, the plan called for the highway to extend further north. Due to lack of funds, the project was never completed. In 2005, the state Department of Transportation revisited the project, providing four options to link S.C. 153 with S.C. Highway 183, but the plans were met with criticism.

“A lot of the work, especially in Pickens County, is to stop working in silos and come together, and let’s have some common goals and objectives,” Collins says. Meanwhile, Easley is accepting bids to redesign its downtown streetscape, and a request for proposals will go out soon for the beautification of exit ramps along U.S. 123. Wimberly Lane, a highly traveled road near the J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex, will also be widened.

First of many cranes to come along this stretch of the I-85 corridor. This one is located at the future Carolina First corporate headquarters campus. Expect steel to start going up on the first building soon. Sorry about the quality. Taken with cell phone:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/1002071658.jpg

First of many cranes to come along this stretch of the I-85 corridor. This one is located at the future Carolina First corporate headquarters campus. Expect steel to start going up on the first building soon. Sorry about the quality. Taken with cell phone:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/1002071658.jpg

Only, if only we could see some of these DT..... :ohno:

^^Uh..one is going downtown. It's going up this week in fact. :D Don't forget about the one that will be doing the Palmetto Bank either. I would think that one should be up within the next week or two also. It won't be a tower crane though. It will be a boom crane instead like the one see in my previous post. I doubt it will be that big though. You could easily see the one at the Carolina First headquarters from Woodruff Road, I-85, etc. Very tall crane. :)

I'm actually looking forward to seeing pics of the Palmetto Bank building going up. I hope it turns out to be just as nice, if not nicer, than the rendering.

Walmart, Kohls, Ross, and Office Depot for Easley Town Center: http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/C/6/B/C6B8B47F-ED72-4167-ADFF-9793640925D5.pdf

Hospitality tax to fund wave of parks projects
$27.6 million to be spent on improvements, renovations

Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 - 8:16 pm

By Ben Szobody
STAFF WRITER

PDF | list of parks projects and tax funding, as well as a preliminary financing schedule: http://greenvilleonline.com/assets/pdf/BS87520103.PDF

Northwood Little League, the MESA soccer complex and Camp Spearhead are on the front of a $27.6 million wave in parks and tourism projects to be funded next year on the strength of a new county restaurant tax.

Dirt has moved on five projects already, and a new timeline released this week shows 15 of 18 will get some or all of the tax money they need in 2008.

Four months into the two-percent tax at 1,900 dining establishments outside city limits, the average monthly collection is $505,550, on pace to exceed $6 million a year, Deputy County Administrator John Hansley told County Council.

That’s behind the $6.75 million a year county officials initially projected, though some establishments pay quarterly or annually, Gene Smith, executive director of the Greenville County Recreation District, said Wednesday.

The revenue will fund a laundry list of improvements from water parks to ballfields and downtown arts attractions.

The council approved the so-called "hospitality tax" last year with the support of sports teams and business leaders, and over the opposition of some conservative activists.

Smith said some projects open for bids this month include:

David Jackson Park in the Blue Ridge area already has five ballfields, grass, irrigation and fencing, with lighting, restrooms, trails and landscaping still to come. The bidding process for park lighting went public last week, Smith said.

The park gets $1 million in tax money next year.

Grading is under way at Camp Spearhead at Pleasant Ridge Park, and designs for the new camp for special needs children are nearing completion, Smith said. About $7 million of a total $10 million needed have been raised, Smith said, including $4 million next year from the restaurant tax.

The camp will include cabins, a lodge, a dining hall, play features and a pool, and it will double as a conference center in the off season.

The MESA soccer complex initially funded by the county in 2004 already has land and about half a dozen fields, Smith said, with seven or eight more to be developed by the county along with parking and restrooms.

Some bidding for the project opens Sunday. The complex gets $3 million in 2008.

Railroad ties and rails have been removed for the county’s "Swamp Rabbit" trail that will stretch from Greenville city limits north to Travelers Rest, Smith said. An unpaved portion of the trail could open by the end of this year between Travelers Rest and Furman University, he said, with other sections and $2 million in funding coming next year.

A Taylors baseball complex is half built where Northwood Little League will play, Smith said, with grass, irrigation and some parking in place. More pavement, restrooms and concessions are under construction, he said, with a playground, walking trails and lights still to come.

Smith said he hopes baseball play begins in the spring. The complex gets $1 million next year.

The initial Berea/Travelers Rest sports complex will likely be two separate facilities, Smith said.

The Recreation District is working on a Travelers Rest location, and it has nailed down a Berea spot at the new Northwest campus of Greenville Technical College, where he said the college will provide land, access and infrastructure.

Ballfields, a picnic shelter and playgrounds will be included, using $4.5 million in restaurant tax money. Smith that the "concept is clear," and the projects will be among the first new parks to take shape.

Park plans are under way and a final agreement is close for the Recreation District to operate walking trails and "passive recreation" at Lake Conestee, Smith said. There will eventually be environmental education facilities at the site.

The project gets $1 million in tax money next year and another $1 million in 2010.

Smith said design and construction on two water parks will occur over the next six to eight months. They will get $6 million next year.

He said the existing water park at Lakeside Park in the Golden Strip will be expanded, and the county will add another one at Northside Park. An architect has been selected, Smith said, but there are no firm plans yet.

Another $1 million is earmarked for additional Lakeside upgrades next year.

The Recreation District still needs land for a Piedmont athletic complex and is considering the old Woodmont High School, Smith said.

The project gets $1 million next year and $2 million in 2009.

The renovation of the Sterling Community Center could begin in late 2008, Smith said. There is no architect yet for the project, he said.

Tax funding includes $1 million in 2008.

The Pleasant Ridge outdoor adventure center is on hold and needs to be hammered out, Smith said. The project is slated for $75,000 in tax money next year and nearly $5 million in 2010.

The location of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s proposed tourism hub is still unclear, Smith said, though the project gets $20,000 next year and nearly $5 million in 2009.

County Councilman Joe Dill, whose sweeping northern county district gets a significant share of the new projects, told county finance officials this week, "This is aggressive. Thank you."

This is TRAC (http://www.greenvilleforward.com/TRAC%20PLAN/TRAC%20Components.htm) in action!:tiasd:

Harrison Bridge Road is site for Simpsonville's next big development

Published: Thursday, October 4, 2007 - 9:56 am
Updated: Thursday, October 4, 2007 - 10:02 am

By Nathaniel Cary
STAFF WRITER

Jasmine Commons, a new 120,000-square foot retail and restaurant development, is almost set to build on Harrison Bridge Road in Simpsonville, just off Interstate 385.

The 9.6-acre development will be set up for commercial and retail, such as restaurants, a bank, or a hotel, but came before the city as the second part of a planned development. The first part of the plan, an apartment community named Jasmine Cove, is nearing completion to the rear of the property.

The development will be split into five parcels and marketed to retailers, developers said.

The developers asked at a Simpsonville Planning Commission meeting, Tuesday, to make five curb cuts for separate entrances into each lot, but Greenville County Planning Commission staff recommended a maximum of three curb cuts, said Kevin Robinson, staff planner for Simpsonville with the county planning commission.

The Simpsonville Planning Commission agreed and said they didn’t want Harrison Bridge Road to look like Woodruff or Fairview roads with numerous curb cuts.

The planning commission approved the preliminary development plan but will also approve buildings on each lot.

One of the many new apartment complexes going up throughout Greenville County. This one is located at the Brookwood Point mixed use development and will consist of 10-15 buildings:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture843.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture841.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture838.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture839.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture850.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture840.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture848.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture849.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture842.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture847.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture844.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture845.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture846.jpg

^^It wasn't yellow either. :lol:

EDIT: this is in response to Raleigh-NC's post after mine, which really came before mine. :nuts: :lol:

Hey, y'all got some rain down there!!! That's not fair :(

Great update pics :okay:

WOAH. :rofl: I posted after you Raleigh-NC but it came up before yours. :nuts:

That is some weird sh*t my friend, but it happens sometimes. Glad to see that the water wasn't yellow :rofl:

Where did everybody go? :fart:

Out there, peeing all the beer from this past Sunday. Give them another day and Greenville's reservoirs will be filled... with urine. You do clean the water down there, don't you? :rofl:

^^I certainly hope so. :lol:

Site plan for potential Trader Joe's development in Clemson: http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/3/2/C/32CBD7B2-B1D8-4FC5-8AB9-454DC4EB5C94.pdf

I got some news. Carolina First Headquarters if finally rising. The steel started rising today. It is going quickly also in just one day. Look forward to seeing how this looks.

^^No way. Are you serious? ;) :lol:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture891.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture887.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture889.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture892.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture890.jpg

Fresh Market:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture886.jpg

-More update pics to come.

Griffin Park-
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture888.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture860.jpg

Trail head:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture865.jpg

Forest with creek running through the middle and trail in the background:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture866.jpg

Ellis Park where the trees are:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture868.jpg

An island in the middle of the road where the trees were saved. Don't see too many of those in sprawl neighborhoods:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture867.jpg

Playground:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture880.jpg

Streetscape:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture861.jpg

Homes:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture864.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture863.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture862.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture869.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture870.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture871.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture872.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture873.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture874.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture875.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture876.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture877.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture878.jpg

This is to give you an idea of how close these homes are built to one another. No driveways in the front. No cul-de-sacs anywhere. All alleys with small driveways in the back:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture881.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture884.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture885.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r263/peacockdude/Picture883.jpg

Watch me crank that soulja boy. :D

Verdae-Legacy Park & boulevard. Credit to sc smitty from UP for pics:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/1492318042_3a498d19cf_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/1492318030_158435d111_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/1492318022_9ceae75415_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/1492318018_221ed85a17_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/1492318014_73d489d275_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/1514884091_7b6d658d51_o.jpg

Thanks for the pics, g-man :)

^^That's it? There's got to be more than that. :lol: RedBull gives you wings. Maybe Raleigh-NC's penguin should have some then, so it will be able to fly. :D Where does g-man find the time to take and post all these pics? ;)

Copying and pasting isn't a very time-consuming process, g-man.:|

Copying and pasting isn't a very time-consuming process, g-man.:|

The only photos I copied and paste were the ones of Verdae. All of the others are mine. It takes time to drive all over town and take update photos. You and I both know that. Don't turn into sojones. ;)

Don't turn into sojones. ;)
Greenville sux! It's not NYC, yo! :nuts:

g-man is begging for some love. Please someone give him a hug :lol:

Dude, you know I appreciate your work, but I was seriously exhausted and had to finish processing and uploading my own photos last night. That comment was more than I could spare for the time I had. Can't write endless posts all the time. There is a lot more behind my short "thanks for the photos" comments, because I know how much work is needed for all those images to be captured, processed and posted.

^^You do know I was kidding right? :lol: :hug:

No, I didn't... NOT!!! :rofl:

The new Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau website is now up:

http://www.greenvillecvb.com/

I really like the new design, and the background music is pleasing. I find the front page images to really reflect what Greenville is all about. :)

That is a truly nice video. As for the background music, I think they should have used Ozzy Osbourne :lol:

Retail tales

John Boyanoski-Greenville Journal

The L-shaped sign on Woodruff Road in Greenville says a lot about the state of retail development in the Upstate. It is for Point Greenville - a 75-acre, mixed-use development that will have more than 500,000 square feet of retail space, 600,000 square feet of office space, a hotel and close to 2,500 living units. It is one-of-a-kind, the developers say, but like many projects coming together in Anderson, Spartanburg and Greenville, it is chasing the high-end retail stores that draw in thousands of shoppers every day.

And those other projects are also touting their uniqueness, to companies such as Benetton, Bass Pro Shops, Apple, REI and dozens of other retailers not yet in the Upstate market. "Who are you going to get?" said Scott Drake, a spokesman with Atlanta-based McChesney Investment Advisors, which is building the Point Greenville. "That's the biggest question we get right now."

It is the same question being asked of economic development people in the Upstate as well as the developers of new projects such as Rosewood Center in Anderson, Easton in Spartanburg and Magnolia Park in Greenville. That is more than two million square feet of retail space that draw in a combination of hot retailers not in the market, as well as stores looking to expand and some locally owned stores.

And "who are you going to get" is the same question being asked of the owners of established shopping centers such as Anderson Mall, Hillcrest Specialty Row and Westgate Mall in Spartanburg, and the Shops at Greenridge in Greenville. With all of the development and changes in the market structure, many of the developers are often chasing the same small pool of clients. Ned Pettigrew, the developer of Rosewood, said the hindrance or benefit of too many high-end developments is a philosophical question.

Some say stores can play off the various developments against each other to get a better lease deal. Others say the availability of high-end space creates a buzz about a market that draws more retailers. "Everyone has a different answer," Pettigrew said. However, space is not all store owners look at when deciding on a market, said Craig Stripes, a real estate broker with the Furman Co. The leading indicator is the money being spent. "Most retailers look pretty hard at demographics and what people are buying," he said.

According to the state revenue department, Greenville reported more than $14.3 billion in gross retail receipts last year. Spartanburg had $7.8 billion and Anderson had $4.1 billion. And developers look at those numbers as well, he said. Many of them have track records with certain retailers, and normally know what works and doesn't work in a certain area. It is rare that a company hasn't done every bit of research possible before making a decision to locate a new store, Stripes said. Many times, it just takes one store to move into a market and much of their competition will follow suit.

"They tend to travel in packs," he said. That is why many of the development web sites for these projects focus on the median income and other nearby projects and stores. Point Greenville, for example, includes maps that prominently display the logos of nearby stores as well as information on nearby office developments such as the Carolina First Corporate campus and Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. "They are definitely geared for retail people right now as opposed to shoppers," Drake said.

One of the more interesting facts about the Upstate's retail development boom is that out-of-state groups are fueling the work. Greenville-based Centennial American Properties is behind Easton, but Florida-based Menin is doing Magnolia Park, McChesney is out of Atlanta and Pettigrew is based out of the Lowcountry.

Marc Yavinsky, one of the developers of Magnolia Park in Greenville, said the Upstate is not a large market at this time, but is growing and getting known by many major retailers. He said the Upstate's 1.2 million residents, a 10 percent population growth rate and the fact that it is halfway between Charlotte and Atlanta make it enticing. "There is nothing that shows us it will stop anytime soon," he said.



UPSTATE SNAPSHOT-A look at some of the development projects on tap for the upstate:

PROJECT-Magnolia Park Town Center
LOCATION-Greenville
RETAIL SPACE-677,000 sf
ACRES-65
COMPLETION-2008

PROJECT-Point Greenville
LOCATION-Greenville
RETAIL SPACE-500,000 sf
ACRES-75
COMPLETION-2009

PROJECT-Dillard Creek Commons Power Center/Creekside Village Lifestyle Center
LOCATION-Greer
RETAIL SPACE-500,000+ sf
ACRES-169.2
COMPLETION-2009/2010

PROJECT-Rosewood Mall
LOCATION-Anderson
RETAIL SPACE-500,000 sf
ACRES-60.59
COMPLETION-2009

PROJECT-Battery Park Towne Center
LOCATION-Anderson
RETAIL SPACE-250,000+ sf
ACRES-125
COMPLETION-2009/2010

PROJECT-Easton Marketplace
LOCATION-Spartanburg
RETAIL SPACE-500,000 sf
ACRES-200
COMPLETION-2009

PROJECT-Easley Town Center
LOCATION-Easley
RETAIL SPACE-500,000+ sf
ACRES-125
COMPLETION-2008

PROJECT-Crescent Place
LOCATION-Greenville
RETAIL SPACE-211,000 sf
ACRES-26
COMPLETION-2009

PROJECT-The Shops at Greenridge
LOCATION-Greenville
RETAIL SPACE-513,290 sf
ACRES-71
COMPLETION-2007

Carolina First headquarters-
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture893.jpg

Future road through campus:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture910.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture911.jpg

Going up fast. 4 floors complete with work starting on 5th:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture912.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture913.jpg

CU-ICAR-
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture896.jpg

Future site of Collaboration 1 buildings:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture895.jpg

Plaza area:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture897.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture900.jpg

Campbell Graduate Center:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture898.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture899.jpg

Excellent update photos, g-man. Looks like things are progressing fast with this project :okay:

^^They even have the parking lot almost finished already. :D

Property Description:
The Village at Mountain Park is an old-world European-style village setting that will serve as the location of the Gary Player Group headquarters and a grand gateway for those who call The Cliffs at Mountain Park home. Fountains, statues, squares and gardens will enhance this beautiful setting and make The Village an ideal place to work, shop and dine. Features include an organic farm, a Village Inn, botanical gardens and greenhouse, an open-air amphitheater and a home design center. Leasing opportunities exist for a variety of unique, high-quality retailers, service providers, restaurant operators, and corporate/professional offices. 250,000 square feet in all.

Construction Status: Under Construction. Update pics to come soon.

Site plan: http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/4/3/3/433BE74E-66D3-408F-92E9-AF150248CC7F.pdf

Rendering:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/91AC4D7C-8839-4D9F-8403-FFB405F6B14.jpg

AWESOME!:)

Beautiful :okay:

Kidnap the santa clause. Lock him up real tight. Throw away the key then turn off all the lights. Hehe it's halloween. :D

Ok. I'm getting bored now. Remember 1-2 years ago when there would always be something to talk about development wise. What happened to that? Why are none of these projects getting built? What is taking the POM and MPTC sooo long? :rant: :rant:


Western Carolina headquarters thing:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture951.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture948.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture949.jpg

Carolina First headquarters project out there in the middle of somewhere:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture953.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture950.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture964.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture963.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture956.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture958.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture957.jpg

Some hotel by Paris Hilton's daddy. Last/final update for this one:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture960.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture961.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture962.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture959.jpg

This is for any doubters (http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/OPINION/710210308/1008) and/or the ignorant people hoping to bring Greenville down out of hatred (you know who you are).

To view more information about Greenville's new downtown master plan, visit Plan-It Greenville (http://planitgreenville.com/).
_____________

Greenville Open Studios is coming up November 3 and 4 (http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/OPINION/710220307/1016). This is one of the best opportunities to meet many local artists in their studios around town.

Visit GreenvilleARTS.com (http://www.greenvillearts.com/programs/open_studios.aspx) for more information.

^^
Sounds like a great effort to take Greenville to the next level :okay: Let the pundits say what they will. Only time will tell whether Greenville will get where it wants to be. Time and hard work.

g-man, thanks for the update photos.

^^
Sounds like a great effort to take Greenville to the next level :okay: Let the pundits say what they will. Only time will tell whether Greenville will get where it wants to be. Time and hard work.

g-man, thanks for the update photos.

Guess who one of those pundits is? ;) It is the least person you expected. People like Skyliner can claim G-Vegas is progressive, but I can prove it's really not in some ways like mass transit. What exactly is the next level Raleigh-NC? Sprawl, pollution, traffic, etc?

Somebody on UP is saying Fleming's Steakhouse is no longer coming to the Point. Yeah, sure buddy. Whatever you say.

Its going to take a little time for it all to come together. I like the speed that the power corridor is developing at.

^^Yeah. Just look at how fast our airport is growing. :nuts: PTI in Greensboro just landed a skybus hub along with their fedex hub under construction. What do we get: nothing. :rant:

Greenville, Pickens, Anderson, Oconee among 'primary natural disaster' areas

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/NEWS01/71022012

Greenville, Pickens, Anderson, Oconee among 'primary natural disaster' areas

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/NEWS01/71022012

Ok? Shouldn't you be building something? Hey, go build that nine story building that was supposed to start in July. ;)

LOL....doing school work right now. I still work for harper though. When it rains I cant work. mortar and rain doesnt mix good together.

Poor g-man... This must have been a tough month for you. Thank God you have Asheville and Mayberry to keep you busy :lol: Let's not forget all those nice construction updates from Greenville you share with us every 5 minutes :lol:

Poor g-man... This must have been a tough month for you. Thank God you have Asheville and Mayberry to keep you busy :lol: Let's not forget all those nice construction updates from Greenville you share with us every 5 minutes :lol:

I still don't know where Mayberry is. :( Well, it's not helping that gsupstate won't answer my question. :bash:

I make it rain. :D Give me that hand clap. One for the money, two for the show, clap your hands if your money flow.

Hey the rain does give me the much needed break from work. Im thankful for that. Gives me a chance to catch up on school work.

^^Reminds you of those wildfires out west huh? :lol:

Let me see you do the hand clap: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3wGGTWvXYgY

Greenville, you can post now. ;)

Greenville, you can post now. ;)

What's up? :lol:

(in regards to the SF pics)...


Here goes more suburban low rise sprawl, that could have been a signiture DT (True) highrise tower! :ohno:

(in regards to the SF pics)...


Here goes more suburban low rise sprawl, that could have been a signiture DT (True) highrise tower! :ohno:

At least it will get G-ville more exposure going down I-85. The jobs are also great too. :) How exactly is this sprawl? Oh wait, it's not.

At least it will get G-ville more exposure going down I-85. The jobs are also great too. :) How exactly is this sprawl? Oh wait, it's not.

Well, just as opposed to a possible DT highrise project.

^^True. Anybody know the song "another one bites the dust?" ;) :lol: Ding dong the Greenville projects are dead.

^^True. Anybody know the song "another one bites the dust?" ;) :lol: Ding dong the Greenville projects are dead.


You mean these words?


Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, Im gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust

^^Yeah, that's it. So when is GSP airport going to grow like everybody else? Oh yeah. Never.

I'm dreaming about how awesome it would be to own a home in this new Lake Jocassee development called, The Jocassee Club (http://thejocasseeclub.com/). It may be the only residential development ever to be built on the beautiful mountain lake I have loved for decades. It is one of the most gorgeous places in the entire nation, so peaceful, untouched, and surrounded by natural marvels.

Here are a couple photos I took in downtown showing that a sales center will be coming to Main Street soon:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Skyliner25/TheJocasseeClub_01.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Skyliner25/TheJocasseeClub_02.jpg

^^Ummm...it's illegal to build on Lake Jocassee, so how is this happening? :?

You might try calling the number to find out more information.;)

^^Yeah, that's it. So when is GSP airport going to grow like everybody else? Oh yeah. Never.

I think this GSO announcement is a perfect example of where Gville and the upstate are lagging on their competition. There is absolutely NO reason GSP should not be able to get something like this. Somehow, GSO has always managed to outdo GSP (remember GSP was also in the running for the Fedex hub). What is wrong here, why is GSP not able to get similar projects, or even "beat out" some of the competition? If Gville and the upstate are to ever get to the next level, doing things like what GSO did is a MUST!

I think this GSO announcement is a perfect example of where Gville and the upstate are lagging on their competition. There is absolutely NO reason GSP should not be able to get something like this. Somehow, GSO has always managed to outdo GSP (remember GSP was also in the running for the Fedex hub). What is wrong here, why is GSP not able to get similar projects, or even "beat out" some of the competition? If Gville and the upstate are to ever get to the next level, doing things like what GSO did is a MUST!

Because the people that run GSP like Milliken are a bunch of old farts. I personally think the City of Greenville should take it over. They would do a much better job of running it. Another reason why Greenville is NOT progressive.

You might try calling the number to find out more information.;)

It's illegal though. Governor Beasley signed a declaration saying so. I could sue them then for building on this lake. :D

DL, Where are the BMW and Michelin North American headquarters located? Which region has a much higher level of international investment? Sure, we may be losing some battles, but we have experienced our fair share of victories over the years as well.

DL, Where are the BMW and Michelin North American headquarters located? Which region has a much higher level of international investment? Sure, we may be losing some battles, but we have experienced our fair share of victories over the years as well.

Some battles? Were losing them all like literally. Rolls-Royce huh? When will the announcement come out then? I'll believe it when I see it. VW plant? Sure. Whatever you say sunshine.

What about: CU-ICAR Hubbell Lighting The South Financial Group The Point Verdae Falls Park on the Reedy RiverPlace McBee Station West End Field Upcountry History Museum and many, many others?

^^That's it? Man, what a sad list. Raleigh's would be 10 times longer easily.

There are many other victories that you are aware of, but are playing ignorant. Go ahead and wallow in miserable self-pity then. I choose to enjoy life and love what is truly great about this city.

^^So, how about that mass transit? ;)

That takes an exorbitant amount of time and money as you well know. The City understands the problem and is working to develop a plan that will work. If you absolutely need mass transit today, move to Charlotte.

^^I don't need mass transit. You said Greenville was progressive. In what ways exactly? GSP Airport growing, mass transit improving, skyscrapers going up, etc.?

DL, Where are the BMW and Michelin North American headquarters located? Which region has a much higher level of international investment? Sure, we may be losing some battles, but we have experienced our fair share of victories over the years as well.

Oh I agree. And these are some of the reasons why i think GSP would be in excellent position to finally "take off' to the next level. Yet major projects and announcements continue to go elsewhere, such as to GSO.

G-man, if you live in the city and have your eyes open, it should be quite clear. If you can't see it, then I can't help you and your complaints are not worth my time to consider.

^^Come on Skyliner. Why won't you just let me bash the city I was born, raised, and still live in? Why are you always trying to defend this city?

I don't see any reason to repeat myself, so I hope you have "fun" whining your life away. Cheers.:cheers:

There are many other victories that you are aware of, but are playing ignorant. Go ahead and wallow in miserable self-pity then. I choose to enjoy life and love what is truly great about this city.

^^You bash everybody, not only on this forum but others too that have opinions that differ from yours and it's wrong. You bash sojones, you bash me, you bash everybody else that has one negative thing to say about the city. Why do you do that?

I am not bashing you or your opinions. I presented a clear counter-perspective that you have chosen to avoid answering directly. We see things differently today. Tomorrow may be completely opposite. I have no hard feeling toward you and hope you will eventually learn to love life for what it is and not be upset all the time.:)

^^Oh. Oops. I just don't like it when people try to say Greenville is perfect at everything and is being progressive when in reality it isn't. Rails-to-trails is just happening now. Other cities like Denver have over 800 miles of them. We have 1.5 currently.

Rails-to-Trails is happening though, so be happy that progress is being made. We don't have to be the first city to make things change. However, if you want to look at it in that light, what about the very progressive planning initiated 30 years ago to create what has become a model of excellence in downtown revitalization?

If Greenville is growing then why has the UP section of Greenville died? Why won't people on there go take update pics anymore? What happened to RT, Maninthepark, NYTransplant, etc?

Rails-to-Trails is happening though, so be happy that progress is being made. We don't have to be the first city to make things change. However, if you want to look at it in that light, what about the very progressive planning initiated 30 years ago to create what has become a model of excellence in downtown revitalization?

Yeah, and the Woolworth building still hasn't been torn down yet. Talk about being progressive huh? ;)

Progressiveness hinges on the redevelopment of the Woolworth property? Wow, I was unaware of that. In case you forgot why it has taken so long, remember that it was owned by several people, many of whom had to be located in other places before negotiations could take place. Who pushed for this to happen as fast as possible? The City of Greenville.

^^Yeah. The City also pushed for all of the other downtown tower projects and look where they're at: Either dead or on hold. It looks like a bomb went off downtown or something in spots. Reminds me of Baghdad. :lol:

Guess who wrote this essay Skyliner? I did. Rough Draft written in September 2006, so it might have some typos and not be up to date:

My city of Greenville, SC

Greenville, SC is one of the most beautiful cities in the state of South Carolina, in fact in the country even. There are many things to do around this city of 56,000 due to strict annexation laws like shop, work, play, and stay. Greenville’s biggest pride and joy is their downtown. In fact, Main Street in downtown Greenville was ranked as the best in 2003 by Main Street Awards Inc. Greenville has gone through an amazing transformation over the last 20 years and is growing at a very fast rate. Their Main Street used to be four lanes wide, but in 1982 right after the Hyatt Regency decided to put one of their hotels downtown, the city shrunk Main Street to two lanes and added trees, wide sidewalks, and diagonal parking spaces. Every year since then, downtown gets better with new parks and developments going up. These include things such as Falls Park, which was completed in September of 2003 that has a one of a kind footbridge over Reedy River Falls, which is one of the only natural waterfalls in a downtown in the country. The park and the bridge have won numerous awards along with the rest of downtown Greenville.

Due to Greenville’s amazing transformation over the last 20 years, many new developments have been popping up all over the place downtown. These include the new Greenville Drive ballpark, which is modeled after Fenway Park in Boston and won the “Best Ballpark of the Year” award by Ballparks.com, the Peacock Hotel and Spa which is going to cost $60 million dollars to build and be a five-star hotel that will be 12 stories tall, and the Riverplace mixed-use development which will cost $65 million dollars to build and consist of nine buildings that includes a 3-star Hampton Inn and Suites hotel, condos, restaurants, and retail. There is also McBee Station, which will be a mixed-use development too that will include a Publix grocery store, Staples office supply store, a bank, condos, and apartments.

Outside of downtown, there are also a lot of developments popping up too. One includes Verdae Development, which will be located between Woodruff Road, Lauren Road, and Interstate 85 with Verdae Boulevard going through the middle of the development. It is to be completed in 2030 and consist of a half million dollars in yearly tax revenues, 15,000 jobs, and 8,000 residents. It is also expected to make over one billion dollars in economic revenue when completed. It will include everything from schools to houses to office high-rises. There is also CU-ICAR or the Clemson University-International Center for Automotive Research. It is located off of Laurens Road next to Interstate 85 across from Verdae Development. It consists of five technology neighborhoods that involve companies like Clemson, Michelin, BMW, Timken, and others. It is also going to be the largest and most advanced automotive center in the world when completed in 2020-2025.

There are many shopping centers going up in Greenville too, such as the Shops at Greenridge. This development which is almost completed is located on the sprawling Woodruff Road next to Interstate 85 and 385. It consists of stores such as Lowe’s, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Office Max, Petsmart, Ross, and many others. It was built in 2003 and is the third largest shopping center in Greenville County followed behind Magnolia Park Town Center and Haywood Mall. Next is Haywood Mall, which is the largest mall in South Carolina. This mall is located off of Haywood Road next to Interstate 385. It includes stores such as Sears, Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Belk’s. It was built and finished in 1982. Last is Magnolia Park Town Center, which is on the same site as the old Greenville Mall. It is located on Woodruff Road too, but next to Roper Mountain Road and Interstate 385. Construction is going to start on this in late 2006 to early 2007 and will include retailers such as Costco, Rooms to Go, Sports Authority, Regal Theaters, and others.

Greenville also has many other great features too. There are the mountains, which is less than an hour north of here and the ocean, which is only 4 hours east of here. There are so many things in fact I can’t tell you them all. Come visit Greenville, SC sometime and I guarantee you that you won’t regret it. Greenville is always in season, so if you come here in winter it will feel like winter and if you come here in the fall it will feel like fall with beautiful leaves. Welcome to Greenville, SC where you can shop, work, play, and stay.

Sounds like a pretty progressive city to me.:)

^^Ok. Maybe it is, but there are still some things that need to be worked on. You and I both know that. Sojones obviously doesn't. I think he was a lawyer or something and didn't win. :lol:

^^Yeah. The City also pushed for all of the other downtown tower projects and look where they're at: Either dead or on hold. It looks like a bomb went off downtown or something in spots. Reminds me of Baghdad. :lol:

I don't think it is funny to joke about what is happening in Baghdad. That is a completely separate issue and we can be very thankful that kind of destruction is not seen or experienced here. Our brave brothers and sisters fighting there deserve our respect for keeping us safe here.

I don't think it is funny to joke about what is happening in Baghdad. That is a completely separate issue and we can be very thankful that kind of destruction is not seen or experienced here. Our brave brothers and sisters fighting there deserve our respect for keeping us safe here.

And Bush deserves an impeachment. :cheers: Woah, woah, woah. Keep us safe here? The only people were not safe from is ourselves Skyliner. When did Iraq attack us? Never.

...Sojones obviously doesn't. I think he was a lawyer or something and didn't win. :lol:Sojones does not care about Greenville because he is not from this city and has very little experience here. He is an alter-ego of another member we all know too well.:nuts:

Sojones does not care about Greenville because he is not from this city and has very little experience here. He is an alter-ego of another member we all know too well.:nuts:

That's what gsupstate said. What other forum member is he? :?

And Bush deserves an impeachment. :cheers: Woah, woah, woah. Keep us safe here? The only people were not safe from is ourselves Skyliner. When did Iraq attack us? Never.We aren't fighting Iraqis. Check out the link in my signature.

We aren't fighting Iraqis. Check out the link in my signature.

Then who are we fighting? I can't believe you of all people support this war. At least RestedTraveler and gsupstate has the brains not too. Yeah, i'll see that movie if you see Fahrenheit 9/11. Greatest movie ever. :D

I am not saying anything one way or another. This off-topic discussion is now ended.

I am not saying anything one way or another. This off-topic discussion is now ended.

You say its ended. I say it's just beginning. $450 billion, over 3,000 soldiers dead over what?

Screw it. I don't want to get into politics in this thread. So, who is sojones then? PM the answer if you want.

Well i'm going to bed. Goodnight to all the illegal immigrants who have invaded the area. ;)

Woah. What happened last night? :?

What happened? Illegal immigrants broke into your place and stole the renderings for the new high-rises in Greenville? Or maybe it was Al Qaeda agents? :rofl:

^^Or both. :eek: They can't mess with me though cause I got :guns1: :lol:

Greer Police & Municipal Court Complex:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/pdmcrend.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/pdmc100307.jpg

Greer Commons-City Hall & City Park Complex:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/chcprend.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/chcp1016072.jpg

The Brown Street Club is still closed for construction as it doubles in size with the new addition. This is one extremely fine place. Check out the awesome updated website!!! (http://www.brownstreetclub.com/)

Word is that Ruth's Chris is going up where Fleming's was supposed to go at the Point.

Project skyline isnt dead afterall

http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071025/BUSINESS/71025055/1004/NEWS01&GID=iyeXL75dZ0o3P31Z6G2O0QL3Xg98Zj2AtCiHytCiaiA%3D

^^:banana: I told you.

Who was the one who said it wasn't dead? Who was the one that went against the Greenville Journal and Butch Kirven and said it was going at county square? That person would be me. I told you so. :D

Who was the one complaining a few days ago about the loss of large-scale projects in Greenville? LOL This is definitely GREAT news and keeps the hope alive.

^^I know. I feel like such an idiot. :lol: Do you know what this could do for downtown if it goes through? :eek:

^^I know. I feel like such an idiot. :lol: Do you know what this could do for downtown if it goes through? :eek:

I know, that would be great for downtown! I truly think it would take us to the next level, assuming the development of County Square is dense and urban.

By the way, good job calling this one g-man. Gold star for you. :)

Who was the one complaining a few days ago about the loss of large-scale projects in Greenville? LOL This is definitely GREAT news and keeps the hope alive.
This is the worst thing we can do. There is no room for doom and gloom in a city that seems to be on the rise (Greenville). In the old days, when the news didn't travel as fast as in the last 10 years, projects would be proposed and canceled left and right, but people didn't know about it. Today, we have an abundance of new projects - urban, or otherwise - that compete with each other. Some of them will fail but will allow others to move forward. It is tough, let's face it. If you are a developer and want to build big things for your city, are you willing to risk bankruptcy in order to deliver your vision? A 15-story building can easily exceed $30 million these days. That is a lot of money and you can't exactly go to the bank and ask for a check. Patience and optimism is all we need. In science, your experiments will fail more than succeed. That one success, however, will change everything.

Skyliner, continue to be optimistic, like you've been so far, and do not let g-man's pessimism bring you down... That guy is dangerous :lol: Keep him locked in the basement and give him some Red Bull :cheers:

This is the worst thing we can do. There is no room for doom and gloom in a city that seems to be on the rise (Greenville). In the old days, when the news didn't travel as fast as in the last 10 years, projects would be proposed and canceled left and right, but people didn't know about it. Today, we have an abundance of new projects - urban, or otherwise - that compete with each other. Some of them will fail but will allow others to move forward. It is tough, let's face it. If you are a developer and want to build big things for your city, are you willing to risk bankruptcy in order to deliver your vision? A 15-story building can easily exceed $30 million these days. That is a lot of money and you can't exactly go to the bank and ask for a check. Patience and optimism is all we need. In science, your experiments will fail more than succeed. That one success, however, will change everything.

Skyliner, continue to be optimistic, like you've been so far, and do not let g-man's pessimism bring you down... That guy is dangerous :lol: Keep him locked in the basement and give him some Red Bull :cheers:

Very well said, Raleigh-NC. I think it's easy to dwell on the projects that are delayed or cancelled, rather than focusing on the many that come to fruition. I feel like Greenville is on the cusp of really exploding, in which case we will see a real boom in construction (downtown and otherwise). Despite the fact that we are not to that level yet, I think the projects and developments going on around the city are still impressive.

Skyliner, continue to be optimistic, like you've been so far, and do not let g-man's pessimism bring you down... That guy is dangerous :lol: Keep him locked in the basement and give him some Red Bull :cheers:

That wasn't very nice. :(

That wasn't very nice. :(

No, but it was funny. :lol:

That wasn't very nice. :(
Well, you have managed to depress many people with your pessimism... Time to stop this :bash:

O.K., don't lock g-man in the basement, but do give him some RedBull and lots of candies. Also, take that fishing rod from him before he eliminates the entire bass population.

^^Well, can you blame me? Your skyscrapers are getting built. Ours are either on hold or dead. Also, our Point project might not even happen now due to stupid investors.

Been there, seen that and I know how it feels. In a few years you will recall these days and laugh ;)

Welcome to Anderson:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture996.jpg

Future site of Battery Park Towne Center. Right across the street is where Rosewood Mall will be going:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture991.jpg

Future site of Dick's Sporting Goods, Staples, and Kohl's:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1000.jpg

Dillard's and lifestyle addition at Anderson Mall:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture998.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture997.jpg

Clemson Village shopping center:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1017.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1016.jpg

Watermarke Condos:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture992.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture995.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture994.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture993.jpg

Thanks for the updates, g-man :)

^^That's it? Where are the donuts? Yummm. :D

I don't want you to get fat and unable to move around easily... We need your photos to keep coming. All right, here are some Krispy Kreme doughnuts for you:

http://www.mikesblender.com/donutbattle_krispy%20kreme%2012.jpg

Dibs on the one in the upper right-hand corner!:tongue2::lol:

You went for the best, but let's not "hog it all". Let's "leave something for the squirrels", right g-man? :rofl:

i was in anderson this weekend; it's a charming small city, far better than where i live (killeen,) although i think it'd be great if it didn't sprawl anymore. where's that development at? anyway, anderson is a nice place, despite the sprawl.

-

Most of those developments are out near I-85 and U.S. 76.

Ive lived in Anderson County all my life. I think it is growing in a good way. The bigger it gets though the more interconnected it will become with greenville. I had rather go to Anderson city that Greenville somtimes because they have a lot down there. There are lots of restaurants also. I think they probably have more than Sparkle City.

Did G-man die?

He is preparing his next attack ;)

Hey Raleigh-NC, did you poison G-man's doughnut?:lol: Perhaps he ate too many at one time and is now sick? He will be back. He cannot resist the power of The Force.:drool:

Most of those developments are out near I-85 and U.S. 76.

poo, more sprawl. oh well. i took 81 from i-85 into anderson last weekend...it kind of reminded me of the charlotesville sprawl going to d.c. along us 29...which is a good and bad thing.

-

I would love to know why this website (http://villagio-verde.com/) is still up when all indications have leaned toward its being dead at that location. I have hope that it may be built eventually, though only a sliver of hope. G-man, do you have any information to share?:dunno:

Man, looking at that reminds me of a song by "Little Texas" :lol::cry:


I wouldn't read anything into the site still being "up". The last time I looked, the sites for Camperdown and even the TAFAB were still up. Also, this site is dated 2004, so it seems like there have been no updates of significance since that time. It would have been a great project though.

Hey Raleigh-NC, did you poison G-man's doughnut?:lol: Perhaps he ate too many at one time and is now sick? He will be back. He cannot resist the power of The Force.:drool:
g-man knows that we can't live without reading his updates, regardless of how much material he posts, and I am sure he will be back. Maybe he is taking a break, in hope that when he returns some of the stalled projects will have started :lol:

Did G-man die?

I hope not. ;)

I would love to know why this website (http://villagio-verde.com/) is still up when all indications have leaned toward its being dead at that location. I have hope that it may be built eventually, though only a sliver of hope. G-man, do you have any information to share?:dunno:

It's dead. There is now a land available sign on site.

Carolina First campus is rising quickly
First building should be open by 2009

John Boyanoski-Greenville Journal staff writer

The two cranes, wood frames and piles of overturned red clay visible from Interstate 85 are only temporary. The steel beams, the water feature and the roads aren't. Construction has started on the $103-million Carolina First corporate headquarters - a 13-building campus located on a frontage road between Woodruff and Laurens roads.

The spring 2006 announcement was hailed as one of the biggest economic development events in years because it was bringing 600 jobs, and keeping a large banking headquarters in Greenville.

And now the steel girders for the first 120,000-square-foot office building are up, and a second set is on the way soon for a same-sized office building, said Jim Burns, the project manager. The footers for the 40,000-square-foot conference center are being dug now.

The office buildings should be finished by early 2009, and then Carolina First will begin work on two more buildings, Burns said. While Carolina First will move its headquarters to the Interstate 85 campus, the bank's parent company, South Financial, will stay in the downtown Greenville offices.

Work has also started on the water feature that will be part of the main entranceway into the campus, Burns said. The water feature will have fountains, but serves a dual purpose as the campus' retention pond.

Burns also said expansion of the frontage road to four lanes should be done by early next year. The expansion will make the road similar to the one leading through the Point Project and connect it to a similar road that goes through the Millennium Campus and the Clemson automotive research park. That will make it four lanes between Laurens and Woodruff roads.

The construction of the park is out in the open, but the plan behind it was one of the most secretive in Greenville's economic development history with few outside of the key players knowing much until the announcement. And those who did know were saying next to nothing in public about the plans, which went by the codename, Project Pogo.

Part of the reason for the secrecy was the company was getting overtures from other states to move the headquarters. Carolina First, which was founded in Greenville, has 93 banks in North and South Carolina. South Financial Group has 73 additional banks, which operate under the Mercantile brand name in Florida. The company has more than $14.1 billion in assests, and is one of the 50 largest banking companies in the country.

City, county and state officials created a large tax incentive plan of more than $15 million to help keep the company's headquarters investment in Greenville. The 13 buildings on the Carolina First campus could house other companies in addition to the banks, but that is not in the plans at this time.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1026.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1033.jpg

Verdae-
Legacy Park facility:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1030.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1031.jpg

New office building for IMA:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1027.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1028.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1029.jpg

Bank will be first business at Marketplace

Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 2:00 am

By Lark Reynolds
GREATER GREER NEWS

The Village Marketplace's first business will open Nov. 5.

The Marketplace is part of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System's 130-acre campus at Pelham on State 14 south of Interstate 85.

Capital Bank is the first business to build on the 21-acre site, which is across the street from the Village Hospital, a 48-bed facility now under construction.

The bank will share its building with Brick House Coffee, but the coffee shop will not be complete until early December, said S. Hazel Hughes, executive vice president and chief retail officer of Capital Bank.

Once the coffee shop is open the bank plans to hold a grand opening, Hughes said.

Original plans for the Village Marketplace, a specialty retail area, included a high-end grocer, a drug store, banks and restaurants, all designed around a village green.

David Parks, hospital administrator at the Village Hospital, said the first businesses are well-suited to the Marketplace plan.

"They fit with the mission, the overall goal of the project, and we're excited to have them there," Parks said.

Although he wouldn't comment on other businesses that may be in the works for the Marketplace, he did say there was substantial activity and interest in the project.

Hughes said the branch, the third in the Greenville area and the second in Greer, will be the first time the bank has incorporated a coffee shop. She said customers will be able to go between the bank and coffee shop inside, and both will have drive-through windows.

Village at Pelham hospital. Credit to gsupstate for photo:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/gsupstate/DSC03420.jpg




I-385 at Butler Road developments-
More development coming along I-385 in Mauldin

Published: Saturday, November 3, 2007 - 8:33 am

By Kelly VanLeeuwen
STAFF WRITER

Three properties at the intersection of East Butler Road and Interstate 385 in Mauldin have been sold for $2.78 million to VIP Hospitality LLC, according to the real estate broker.

The properties are located on the east side of I-385 across from the Arby's and Spinx and on the opposite side of the highway where a yellow house sits. They are already being cleared for construction, said Darren Ison, of Dynamic Realty.

The Mauldin City Council recently approved the annexation into the city and rezoning of all properties, totaling 8.019 acres, from residential-suburban to commercial.

Ison had told the council that a hotel, possibly a Marriott, could be slated for the land across from Arby's and Spinx, while several retailers, including a large company and perhaps a Starbucks, could take the place of the yellow house.

There is still no word on possible retailers after VIP Hospitality closed on the properties, Ison said.

Ison estimates the project will be completed between late 2008 and the spring of 2009. Clearing is already under way, with all trees except those considered "historic" being taken to the mills, according to Building and Zoning Department head Peter Nomikos.

About six trees were deemed historic, Ison said, meaning 30 inches or wider at chest height. Such trees can't be removed without the approval of the City Council.

Future site of hotel; possibly Marriott:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1044.jpg

Future site of Starbuck's and Target or Walmart most likely:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1039.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1037.jpg

Another mixed-use development coming soon:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1040.jpg

Another apartment complex going up:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1038.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1041.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1042.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1043.jpg

Indigo Joes restaurant:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1036.jpg

Rumor has it this will be Ruth's Chris if it ever gets built:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1035.jpg

One of the many new office buildings under construction right now:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1032.jpg

West Georgia Road at I-385 developments-
Georgia Road Commons:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1047.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1046.jpg

Looks like another neighborhood coming soon:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1068.jpg

New shopping center development across from Bloom that will include grocery store:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1070.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1074.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1072.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1071.jpg

New shopping center in Simpsonville next to I-385 between Chevrolet and Life Center that will include grocery store is just now starting construction:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1079.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1080.jpg

Behind that is this:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1076.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1069.jpg

Brookwood Point mixed-use development:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1081.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1083.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1082.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1084.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1085.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1086.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1087.jpg

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. :D After taking all of these pictures, I better hear more than just "great pics g-man."
Griffin Park-
Signs:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1048.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1049.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1050.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1051.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1054.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1055.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1063.jpg

All lots between 25 and 34 are either sold or under contract except for 27 and 33. None of them have even started construction yet which means they are selling very well:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1052.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1057.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1059.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1060.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1058.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1061.jpg

Round-a-bout:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1053.jpg

Home under construction:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1056.jpg

Townhouse under construction:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1067.jpg

First section now completed:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1065.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1064.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1062.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc56/lilj4425/Picture1066.jpg

Wow Gman. Thanks for all the updates! The growth in this county right now is really starting to be a little mindboggling. Gville is on the front edge of an unprecedented boom.


What county is the Village a Pelham hospital in?

I knew g-man will return with a huge collection of update photos. Certainly a ton of good material. I love how Griffin Park is shaping up to be a great looking place to live. Can't wait to see this project completed :) Thanks for the photos.

To Distortedlogic: It is in Spartanburg County, but just barely. Greenville County is located less than a mile away. Same goes for the development that will include Bass Pro Shops just up Highway 14 from the Village at Pelham. All of the other pics I took are in Greenville County.

I knew g-man will return with a huge collection of update photos. Certainly a ton of good material. I love how Griffin Park is shaping up to be a great looking place to live. Can't wait to see this project completed :) Thanks for the photos.

Me too. The only problems I have with it is that it is located way out in the burbs and people will still have to drive to work unless they're retired and the homes are fairly expensive. Other than that, i'm not complaining. :cheers:

Great project though, and I love how they left at least some trees, and how the homes have many different designs and don't all look the same.!

In the future, as the area grows, having a more urban development in the burbs may provide guidelines for other suburban communities. A successful Griffin Park will encourage denser, more walkable neighborhoods everywhere in Greenville.

Great update, G-man. I appreciate it being across the Atlantic. Thanks for keeping me up to date on all things Greenville.

Also, I noticed the "bus stop" sign from Griffin Park. I think it's great, but is it just for looks or are there going to be buses? GTA doesn't go that far out and Simpsonville doesn't have a bus system that I'm aware of... do you know? I'd love for it to be included on some transit route.

^^I was wondering the same thing. By looking at the rendering on the sign, it looks like a real bus stop. Maybe they're hoping GTA will add a route to this development in the future or the developers will just have they're own bus that will run only through Griffin Park. :dunno:

Those are some great pics g-man. Its good you take the time to go out of your way to do that for us....thank you. I will be going to the complex in mauldin very soon to start some work on it.

Pickens school district rejects Saco Lowell plan
Trustees concerned property doesn't meet criteria for TIF district

By Amy Clarke
STAFF WRITER

PICKENS -- Efforts to turn the old Saco Lowell plant site in Easley into a commercial center were set back Monday night after the Pickens County school board voted not to participate in a proposed tax increment financing district for the property.

The board of trustees voted unanimously against a plan to join the City of Easley and possibly the Pickens County Council in creating the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for the site off U.S. 123 across from Rock Springs Baptist Church.

The board agreed that "no tax revenues generated by the school district millage would be used for TIF district purposes."

Board member Jim Shelton said after the vote that he did not believe the Saco Lowell property met the criteria of being a "blighted, derelict or unmarketable" property and said, "removing a large parcel such as the Saco Lowell property may have a detrimental effect on the ability of the school district to collect those needed funds."

City of Easley Administrator Fox Simons disagreed with the board's assessment of the property, pointing out that lack of water and sewer infrastructure and potential environmental hazards made the Saco Lowell property ideal for TIF district redevelopment.

Simons also said that the proposal included financial benefits for the school district to the tune of $185,000 to $200,000 per year over the 15- to 18-year life of the project.

Simons said the city will have to "digest the impact" of the board's vote and move forward. The issue is still pending before the Pickens County Council.

Aloft by W opening set for April 2009: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/newhotels/index.html

Any idea what this hotel might looklike? Size? How many new hotels does that make for the airport area, aren't there several more?

Any idea what this hotel might looklike? Size? How many new hotels does that make for the airport area, aren't there several more?

What it will mostly look like although it could change-
Exterior: http://uprightandstowed.typepad.com/weblog/images/aloft.jpg
Interior: http://www.welcometowhotels.com/aloft/index_flash.html

How many hotels for that area: More than I can count. :nuts:

Wow, that looks pretty nice. :okay:

Thanks for the links gman!

This development is literally less than 2 miles from my house, so i'm still hopeful it will be built. Like I always say though: "Put up or shut up"

Saco Lowell redevelopment proposal dealt another blow
Pickens council votes against proposed tax increment financing district

Published: Monday, November 5, 2007 - 10:22 pm

By Amy Clarke
STAFF WRITER

Redevelopment hopes for the old Saco Lowell mill site in Easley took another blow when the Pickens County Council voted tonight not to participate in the proposed tax increment financing district.

The TIF district proposal, which was approved Oct. 8 by the Easley City Council, would freeze the tax base and direct taxes from increasing assessments over the course of 20 years to fund public infrastructure improvements at the site.

According to Fox Simons, Easley city administrator, the additional tax monies would be diverted to a special fund to pay for such improvements such as road repair, beautification projects and more.

County Council members expressed concerns over the plan at the meeting tonight, including using county funds to repair state roads and bridges.

"I’m not opposed to development," said Councilman Tom Ponder, "but I am opposed to Pickens County taxpayers fixing state roads and bridges."

Councilman Ben Trotter said he believed Saco Lowell was "a choice piece of property" that would attract developers’ attention without the help of the county.

"I don’t believe we’re a rich enough county to start giving away taxes to get people to come here," he said.

Simons said at an earlier meeting that a TIF district doesn’t reduce taxes for businesses, which would still be required to pay the same tax rate.

"This is not a tax break at all," he said. "This is more of an investment for the community."

Councilwoman Jennifer Willis focused on the chance to make improvements to growing traffic problems at the intersection of U.S. 123 and Prince Perry Road and to create an appealing new development for Easley.

"This is an opportunity to make improvements on the entrance to our county," she said. "This is the opportunity to create something where we’ve had an eyesore, an empty building for quite some time."

Her motion to participate 50 percent in the TIF district failed, and the council voted 5-1 to deny county participation in the TIF.

After taking all of these pictures, I better hear more than just "great pics g-man."

more than just "great pics g-man."!!!!

Just kidding you G-man. What ever happened to the big VW/Audi announcement that was supposed to happen in October? Anyone ever hear anything else?

^^It's all just a rumor so far. Nothing concrete yet.



Developer looking to build mixed-use residential community in Simpsonville

Published: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 12:06 pm

By Nathaniel Cary
STAFF WRITER

An Upstate developer wants to build a giant mixed-use residential development on 162 acres next to Heritage Park on South East Main Street in Simpsonville.

The city's Planning Commission will hear a plan tonight that would rezone the industrial-zoned property bordering the south side of Heritage Park to a planned development with a mix of apartments, townhouses and single family houses.

Rodney Gray of Land Development Holdings wants to develop the property owned by Glenna Jones. Initial site plans show that Gray would donate 18 acres to the city for an additional 1,600 parking spaces for Heritage Park.

Heritage Crest would have 340 apartments and 365 townhomes bordering Heritage Park. A 215-home subdivision would be built behind the Para-Chem industrial plant and would border The Bryson Meadows subdivision and Bryson Elementary School.

The Simpsonville Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 118 N.E. Main Street.

Keep on going up gas prices!! I love it. We here in the good ole US of A are getting our asses handed to us by our own need to live beyond our needs. We buy McMansions that we don't need , to park that bus of an SUV that we really don't need , to tote around all of our fat kids that we shove food into their mouths so we don't have to actually listen to them. Well done. And this is considered progress??? Good job Raleigh-NC and Skyliner. Your Iraq War is definitely working. ;)

^^my words exactly...
the US could learn some useful things from Europe, but as stubborn and ignorant as Americans are, that probably won't happen...just my opinion. no offense to anyone.

And Europeans can learn a lot from us, too. If you think we are stubborn, time for you to pack your stuff and go live in Europe, so you can form a better opinion. Unless of course you are a European, yourself, in which case your posting proves my point. Keep in mind that I grew up on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean and have travelled in many European countries, so I have a pretty good idea of what I am talking about ;) Americans can learn from Europeans, but always remember that what works there may not necessarily work here. The two continents are very different.

g-man, your grasp of politics never ceases to amaze me. Your last sentence is a perfect example of ignorance and lack of understanding about how international politics works. Stick to the photos and the updates and leave foreign policy and national security matters to those who actually have a clue.

^^Go ahead and believe that. You'll know what happened and why when your medicare runs out. National security matters huh? When did Iraq attack us or have weapons of mass destruction? Obviously Bush doesn't have a clue. Gas prices up; approval rating down. I love it. My dad's Prius is currently getting 54.5 mpg with a $3,000 tax credit. How about you? :cheers: When Clinton was in office, we didn't have a national debt. Now look at it: http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

g-man, once and for all, let me educate you on something: Iraq had WMD and used them openly. Saddam was the mastermind of the first attack in the twins, in 1993 and your boy Bill Clinton knew about it but he was too much of a wimp to respond. Even that moron, John Kerry, was screaming in the late 90's about immediate removal of Saddam Hussein. Clinton and his kin were kind enough to authorize a hit against Serbia and kill truly innocent people, without even achieving anything at the end. How about helping Al-Qaeda operants in Bosnia, against the Serbs? Or, how about the stock market crisis in 1999-2000, a major blow in the economy that was inherited by Bush. How about the many national security & intelligence failures during those years. As for the debt, I am not sure I enjoy to pay more taxes to the feds... I am sorry, I forgot you were probably an infant back then and didn't remember ;)

When it comes to gas prices, it is not up to the U.S. government to decide. Hell, the states get a generous portion of what we pay, but I don't see you complaining. You can say what you want, until you are blue in the face, but I suggest you do your research first before you decide whose fault the gas prices are. Maybe demand is much higher than you think, as China puts an additional 14,000 cars on the streets, every day.

g-man, once and for all, let me educate you on something: Iraq had WMD and used them openly. Saddam was the mastermind of the first attack in the twins, in 1993 and your boy Bill Clinton knew about it but he was too much of a wimp to respond. Oh, I forgot, he and his kin were kind enough to authorize a hit against Serbia and kill truly innocent people. Not to mention the stock market crisis in 1999-2000, which was inherited by Bush. How about the many national security & intelligence failures during those years. As for the debt, I am not sure I enjoy to pay more taxes to the feds... I am sorry, I forgot you were probably an infant back then and didn't remember ;) As for the gas prices, it is not up to the U.S. government. You can say what you want, until you are blue in the face, but I suggest you do your research first before you decide whose fault the gas prices are. Maybe demand is much higher than you think, as China puts an additional 14,000 cars on the streets, every day.

Ok then. How many WMD's did we find over there? It's less than one: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7634313/ Saddam did not attack World Trade Center in 1993. That was Al Qaeda. Read a book once in a while. Might learn a thing or two: The attack was planned by a group of conspirators including Ramzi Yousef, Mahmud Abouhalima, Mohammad Salameh, Nidal Ayyad and Ahmad Ajaj. They received financing from al-Qaeda member Khaled Shaikh Mohammed, Yousef's uncle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center_bombing "Figures lie, liars figure" Instead of wasting our money on some war, we should be spending on fighting diseases and poverty.

G-man, as much as I would hate to have to do it, I will report your posts to the moderators if you do not cease intentionally straying off topic, which is clearly disrupting to the topical discussions in this thread. We all have personal feelings about global issues, including the war, terrorism, and morality in general, but this is not the place to be discussing them as you well know. This thread was intended to be dedicated to discussion and information about the development of our city, Greenville, South Carolina, and nothing else. I implore you to please consider others before posting personal attacks that will obviously have no rapid resolution. Thank you!:grouphug:

^^Well, if these damn developers would just hurry up and start building their projects then I wouldn't be going off-topic in the first place.

Your research has no depth, g-man. That is why I urge you to do some more, instead of trying to show you the answer. The '93 attacks were not masterminded by Al-Qaeda, sorry to disappoint you. Read some more about an Iraqi official Saddam promised to hand to us and never did, my friend. Read about the phone calls that some of the names you mentioned made to Iraq. Also, I urge you to look at a Nevada - or was it Oklahoma, I can't recall - Democrat senator's investigation on Terri Nichols' contact with Iraqi agents, somewhere in Asia - Indonesia, I think. Just read....

Out of respect for Skyliner, and the other Greenville forumers who kindly stay out of this, regardless their different views with me, I will stop here and will NOT continue on this non-sense. g-man, you need to remain focused on Greenville and stop being a child. It is one thing to joke with stupid photos we find online, it is another to discover and promote our differences, particularly in the f*ckin' politics. If you can't stand the pressure, take a walk along Main Str. Stop consuming too much RedBull. Go fishing. Or better, quit with the hard liquor. Anything to get your mind off the developers who don't move fast enough for you.

^^You win. I give up and will stop too.

So, anybody got anything new to share?

I'm sorry Raleigh-NC. :grouphug: :hug: