Greenville City Hall is on the verge of a transformation.
The city of Greenville plans to complete a multi-million dollar renovation of its headquarters at 206 S. Main St. The project aims to extend the 53-year-old building’s expected service life, solve existing maintenance issues and accommodate future growth.
The city released a request for proposals (RFP) on Sept. 3 to find a design firm to complete the project’s architectural and engineering services. Submissions for the RFP are due Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.
Several options have been considered for City Hall in the past few years. The most recent idea was to sell the building to Greenville-based M Peters Group. The private developer planned to demolish the 10-story building and create a new mixed-use structure, with a portion of the building used as City Hall.
Greenville Mayor Knox White said City Council was uncomfortable with several aspects of that proposal, including the overall cost. Council asked Greenville City Manager Shannon Lavrin to take a fresh look at the future of City Hall in February.
McMillan Pazdan Smith was hired to conduct a feasibility study examining the potential renovation of the existing building. The study, completed in the summer, analyzed the building’s condition and identified needed improvements. It found that renovating the current City Hall would be the more cost-effective option rather than constructing a new building.
Extensive interior and exterior renovations costing approximately $35 to $40 million are planned to help revamp City Hall.
“City Hall’s location in the heart of the city holds even more significance in Greenville, and it should reflect the resurgence of downtown and the revitalization of our city,” White said.
Planned renovations
The feasibility study suggested the building’s main lobby be extended towards the road to create a larger presence along Main Street. Greenville City Council chambers would also be moved to the ground floor as a new rear addition to the building. White said this change would improve public accessibility and reflect the city’s value of public participation in city government.
The building’s first six floors will be renovated to create modern office space for city departments. Floors seven through 10 will be remodeled for future city expansion or potential office tenants. White said leasing the space will be a good cost-saving measure that could help offset expenses.
A new glass facade will be added to the building to create a more contemporary look. Lavrin said the feasibility study suggested preserving the existing travertine stone on the exterior of the building’s elevator shaft.
Any needed structural improvements will be completed as part of the project, along with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire protection systems replacements. The project will also include site improvements such as adding new exterior signage, site lighting, security improvements, ADA accessibility features, upgraded landscaping and more.
The project will be funded using the city’s capital reserves funding and a bond. Lavrin explained that the city will get a favorable interest rate because it holds a triple-A credit rating. She also assured that the project will not cause tax increases to residents.
An evaluation committee of city staff will review the responses to the RFP. Lavrin said they hope to select a design firm within the next 60 days.
“We don’t want to sit on this,” Lavrin said. “We want to keep moving.”
The design and permitting process for the project is expected to take 12 months to complete. The city will put the project out to bid to find a contractor once this process is complete. Construction is planned to begin in early 2027 and will most likely take 24 months to complete. The remodeled City Hall is expected to open by the end of 2028.
“It will be a City Hall everyone will be proud of,” White said.
History of City Hall
Greenville City Hall has been located at 206 S. Main St. since the 1930s. The historic City Hall building was constructed in the 1880s and originally served as the U.S. Court House and Post Office in Greenville. A new building was constructed for City Hall in 1972 and has never undergone an extensive renovation.
Source: South Carolina Department of Archives and History
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Infrastructure Improvements
Greenville City Mayor Knox White said city officials have focused on addressing infrastructure needs over the last 15 years. Past projects include building new fire stations, a new Public Works facility and the new Public Safety Campus and Municipal Complex on Halton Road. He said the renovation of City Hall is the next project to be completed.
