{"id":381453,"date":"2026-05-27T13:17:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenvillejournal.com\/?p=381453"},"modified":"2026-05-27T13:29:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:29:05","slug":"greenville-updates-downtown-design-guidelines-collects-public-feedback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenvillejournal.com\/government\/greenville-updates-downtown-design-guidelines-collects-public-feedback\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenville updates downtown design guidelines, collects public feedback"},"content":{"rendered":"

The city of Greenville has updated its downtown design guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These guidelines are used to manage the design, character and function of downtown Greenville as it continues to grow and evolve. New projects in the city\u2019s downtown design district must comply with the standards outlined in the document, which cover everything from building massing to architectural detailing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first draft of the updated downtown design guidelines was presented during the city\u2019s project preview meeting on May 26. Community members are invited to review and provide feedback on the draft guidelines on the city\u2019s project website.\u00a0<\/span>The guidelines were last updated in 2017. The existing guidelines\u00a0 prioritize enhancing walkability, green space and pedestrian activation in downtown Greenville.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The adoption of the Greenville Development Code in 2023 expanded the boundary of the city\u2019s downtown design district, bringing in new neighborhoods, districts and zoning types. The expansion required the city to update its guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

City staff started working on the <\/span>downtown design guidelines<\/span><\/a> update in May 2025 with consultants from Cooper Carry and ADP Urban Planning and Development. Edward Kinney, a principal landscape architect with the city, said the updated guidelines incorporate most of what was already in place, with a few additions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, the draft guidelines outline four specific character districts found within the general downtown area of Greenville. Each district has unique design priorities and standards to ensure new development reinforces the area\u2019s existing characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to find tools that would help guide design to address the unique areas of downtown,\u201d said Allison Bickers with Cooper Carry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Halprin District incorporates the area on the north end of downtown Greenville. It is named for Lawrence Halprin, who redesigned Greenville\u2019s Main Street between College and Broad streets in the 1970s. The draft guidelines prioritize preserving the district\u2019s historic and natural features while strengthening the retail storefront experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed boundaries of the West End District stretch from South Academy Street down to the intersection of Augusta and Dunbar. Priorities outlined in the draft guidelines include protecting the district\u2019s historic commercial character and public spaces while welcoming adaptive reuse and appropriate infill development.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Unity Park District focuses on the area surrounding the city\u2019s 60-acre park, including Mayberry Street, South Hudson Street and Welborn Street. Some of the proposed priorities for the character district include promoting park-centered architectural designs, strong pedestrian infrastructure, flood mitigation and expanded tree canopy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The final character district contains the Village of West Greenville and the Pendleton Street corridor. The draft guidelines focus on maintaining the district\u2019s artistic character, promoting mixed-use growth and adding gathering spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The updated downtown design guidelines also include a new section for residential projects that fall within the expanded downtown design district boundary. Specific design standards have been created <\/span>for four residential building types:<\/span><\/p>\n