Here’s a recap of the April 13 meeting of Greenville City Council.
Initial approval: $26M state funding for downtown conference center
A conference center is planned for downtown Greenville as part of a $500 million mixed-use development called the Falls Park Conference District. The city previously received $26 million from the South Carolina General Assembly for the conference center project.
An initial $7 million was allocated to the city for the project, previously known as the Greenville Cultural Arts Center, in the state’s general appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019-2020. The state’s general appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020-2021 included the remaining $19 million for the project.
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to appropriate the state funding, including current and future accrued interest, to the city’s Capital Projects Fund. Approximately $7 million of the state funding will be disbursed to the Museum and Gallery Inc., as directed by the state’s budget proviso in fiscal year 2025-26. This action is the result of the downtown conference center no longer including a museum and gallery feature as envisioned in years past.
Approved: $3M for Greenline-Spartanburg property purchases
The city plans to purchase 10 parcels of land in the Greenline-Spartanburg neighborhood. Council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of a total of 2.85 acres in the neighborhood from Greenline Park LLC for $3 million.
An updated master plan for the Greenline-Spartanburg neighborhood was approved in December 2024. According to the city, the purchased property will be used to advance the goals outlined within the neighborhood plan and GVL2040 Comprehensive Plan. These goals include:
- Creating opportunities for affordable housing
- Increasing connectivity with trails and greenways
- Improving neighborhood infrastructure
- Preserving open space
- Enhancing commercial corridors
- Supporting economic development initiatives
Approvals and Deferral: Rezoning and annexation applications
Council gave initial approval to rezone approximately 0.26 acres at 212 Asbury Ave. from House D District (RH-D) to Mixed-Use 2 District (MX-2). The historic Mrs. W. H. Smith Tourist Home currently sits on the property. The two-story home, originally built in 1910, served as a lodging for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.
Mrs. W. H. Smith Tourist Home was designated as a local landmark by the city’s Historic Review Board in December 2025. Developers plan to rehabilitate and restore the local landmark back into a bed and breakfast.
Council also deferred the second reading of a rezoning application for 5.06 acres on Fork Shoals Road across from the Conestee Nature Preserve. The property is proposed to be rezoned House B District (RH-B) to Industrial General District (IG).
In addition, council approved the final reading of two annexation applications, including:
- 4.64 acres of land at 8 Gladys Drive and 1016 Woods Crossing Road, with the proposed city zoning of Business General District (BG)
- 3.61 acres of land on Butler Springs Road, Carlingford Way and Cavan Lane, with the proposed city zoning of House D District (RH-D) and Park District (PK)
Approved: $120K for open space acquisition
Council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of 16.81 acres at Willard Street and Reach Street to preserve as open space. The Salvation Army currently owns the two parcels of land located along the Reedy River and Long Branch Creek, northwest of Unity Park.
The city plans to contribute $120,000 from its Open Space Acquisition fund toward the $420,000 property purchase. An anonymous donation will be used to cover the remaining cost, along with grant funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust.
Final approval: 30-month development code update
Council approved the final reading of an ordinance to amend the Greenville Development Code following a 30-month review of the document. Revisions to the code included the addition of conditional use permit requirements, a separate use classification for banks and financial institutions, alternative design standards for non-residential uses in residential districts and more.
Three new amendments were approved by the council at the ordinance’s first reading in March. A proposed 300-foot spacing requirement for banks and financial institutions on designated streets was removed by council.
Council also cut the requirement for conditional use permits for entertainment venues, brewpubs, bars, nightclubs and similar uses that close before midnight within the Mixed Use Downtown (MX-D) and Shopfront Downtown (MXS-D) zoning districts. The final amendment limits the visibility of shipping containers used for outdoor storage from multi-use trails.
Additional items
- The Greenville Fire Department received a $30,000 South Carolina State Homeland Security Grant from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Council gave initial approval to appropriate the grant funds for equipment purchases needed for the Upstate Regional Collapse Search and Rescue Team.
- Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to abandon a portion of right-of-way on East Court Street and a portion of Court Street for a proposed mixed-use development called The Crescent at 127 S. Main St.
- Council gave initial approval to an easement agreement allowing Duke Energy Carolinas to provide utility services to the Greenville Zoo located at 150 Cleveland Park Drive.
- Council approved the final reading of an ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of the city’s waterworks system revenue bonds.
