$1.1M Haynie-Sirrine property purchase approved: Greenville City Council notes

Here is a recap of the Sept. 8 meeting of Greenville City Council.

Approved: Funding for $1.11M property purchase

Council authorized the city’s purchase of 0.69 acres of land in the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood for $1.11 million. Approximately $1.17 million was set aside in the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget for the property purchase. 

The city entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Cely Properties Inc. for the four parcels located at 313-315 Haynie St. and 7-9 Chicora Ave.

Existing single-family homes are located on each parcel. City Manager Shannon Lavrin said the homes are currently vacant. 

The city previously purchased 6.27 acres of land in the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood for $10.7 million in August 2024. Haynie-Sirrine is one of the city’s 13 special-emphasis neighborhoods, just south of the 40-acre Greenville County Square redevelopment project.

The two property purchases allow the city to control the future development of 6.96 acres in Haynie-Sirrine. The city plans to hire a land planner to outline what could be developed on the city-owned land. Potential ideas include affordable housing, open space and expanded greenway connections. Lavrin said a request for proposals will be released this fall to find a land planner.

Final approval: Funding for Greenville Zoo’s Phillips Family Farm

Council approved the final reading of an ordinance to appropriate $3.5 million for the new Phillips Family Farm at the Greenville Zoo. The project is expected to cost $3.66 million. Approximately $168,128 has been previously appropriated to the project. 

The Greenville Zoo Foundation’s capital campaign for the project has raised $3.38 million through private donations and state funding. An additional $100,000 will be appropriated from the Greenville Zoo fund for the project. 

The new Phillips Family Farm will include a 6,600-square-foot barn with animal holding pens and a second-floor event space. A Flemish Giant rabbit exhibit and a barn owl exhibit will also be added to the zoo. 

Approved: Local funding match for Big Idea Grant

The city plans to apply for a $100,000 grant from the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Big Idea Grant program. If awarded, the funding would be used to establish a resilience hub at the renovated Nicholtown Community Center. The resilience hub would provide residents with support and resources in the event of a natural disaster or extreme weather event. 

Council approved a resolution authorizing the city’s commitment to providing a minimum 5% local match for the grant application. This amount equals $5,000. The city would use the grant to purchase a power generator and other supplies for the resilience hub. 

Final approval: Annexation applications

Council gave final approval to nine annexation applications. Each application was previously approved by the city’s Planning Commission. 

The approved annexations include:

• 23.58 acres of land encompassing Brandon Mill in West Greenville, with the proposed city zoning RH-D (House D District), RNX-B (Neighborhood Flex B District), RNX-C (Neighborhood Flex C District), MX-5 (Mixed Use 5 District), IX (Industrial Flex District) and IG (Industrial General District).
• 31.2 acres of land encompassing Hampton Station on Hampton Avenue Extension, Cedar Lane Court, Pete Hollis Boulevard, Huff Line and Buncombe Road, with the proposed city zoning IX (Industrial Flex District)
• 10.97 acres of land encompassing Water Tower Apartments on Hampton Avenue Extension and West Washington Street, with the proposed city zoning RC-5 (Community 5 District)
• 8.2 acres of land on Hampton Avenue Extension, Cedar Lane Court, and Kelly Avenue, with the proposed city zoning of RC-3 (Community 3 District)
• 7.47 acres of land encompassing the Greater Greenville Sanitation offices on West Washington Street, East Bramlett Road and Bartons Alley, with the proposed city zoning of MX-3 (Mixed Use 3 District)
• 4.24 acres of land in West Greenville near Draper Street and Melrose Avenue, with the proposed city zoning of PK (Park District)
• 1.48 acres of land at 1501 Washington St. owned by Greater Greenville Sanitation, with the proposed city zoning of MX-3 (Mixed Use 3 District)
• 1 acre of land on Redland Way off Pelham Road, with the proposed city zoning of RH-C (House C District)
• 0.28 acres of land at 301 Prosperity Ave., with the proposed city zoning RH-C (House C District)

Additional Items

• Council approved the final reading of an ordinance to enter into a lease agreement with Abyss Greenville LLC for the patio area located at 1 N. Laurens St. The patio will be used for the restaurant’s outdoor dining area.
• Council gave final approval to a use agreement with Oobe Apparel Design Group Inc. for the terrace patio overlooking the Reedy River at 201 Riverplace. 
• Council approved the execution of a surface encroachment permit for Pain Alley LLC. The limited liability company plans to install Sutera waste containers and a grease trap in the public right-of-way adjacent to its property at 25 Delano Drive. 
• Council approved a surface encroachment permit for improvements to the building at 25 Mims Ave. A portion of the building is located in the public right-of-way.