1221 replies to this topic

[gsupstate]

btoy, on Nov 7 2005, 11:08 PM, said:

No, I was just told that it would be three stories, and for that reason.  Also, there is to be retail on the bottom, no one chosen.  A restaurant is not permitted.

Why is restaurant not permitted in the ground floor of this building?  Seems like a great restaurant spot.

[vicupstate]

gsupstate, on Nov 23 2005, 11:23 AM, said:

Why is restaurant not permitted in the ground floor of this building?  Seems like a great restaurant spot.

The city does not want another restaurant there, because they want a retail establishment to anchor that corner.  This is part of the reason why Jillian's was not allowed in the Mast General building.  

There are plenty of restaurants downtown, retail and residential is the city's focus now, with good reason.

[gsupstate]

vicupstate, on Nov 23 2005, 12:33 PM, said:

The city does not want another restaurant there, because they want a retail establishment to anchor that corner.  This is part of the reason why Jillian's was not allowed in the Mast General building.  

There are plenty of restaurants downtown, retail and residential is the city's focus now, with good reason.

True.  
So are permits and license easier to get at the moment if you're retail?  (for downtown)

[Skyliner]

I would give almost anything to get away from work today for the meeting, but I'm tied up until later this afternoon.    If someone has the time, PLEASE try and make it to City Hall in an hour from now and let us know how it goes.

[mallguy]

And is the city actually doing anything worth anything other than just saying, "we want a retailer there"?

So often large-scale downtown development projects require public/private partnerships or at least a push from the government to get something done, unlike in suburbia.  That site would be perfect for what I think would do great downtown: a retail center with a Jillian's, a small department store and a few other stores on perhaps 2 or 3 levels, but it would take a lot of effort to have it happen.

This is what Greenville needs:

http://www.belz.com/peabody/#

Edited by mallguy, 01 February 2006 - 03:04 PM.

[vicupstate]

The Gville Journal has an article on this public meeting held this week.  There will be another meeting in February, date to be determined.

Did anyone go to the one this week?

[Skyliner]

mallguy, on Jan 31 2006, 05:54 PM, said:

And is the city actually doing anything worth anything other than just saying, "we want a retailer there"?

So often large-scale downtown development projects require public/private partnerships or at least a push from the government to get something done, unlike in suburbia.  That site would be perfect for what I think would do great downtown: a retail center with a Jillian's, a small department store and a few other stores on perhaps 2 or 3 levels, but it would take a lot of effort to have it happen.

This is what Greenville needs:

http://www.belz.com/peabody/#

I like this idea, mallguy.  I think more pedestrian-friendly shopping/dining/gallery options need to be offered in a compact, but attractive structure in the Piazza area.  Another music store/cafe would be a great addition.

vicupstate, on Feb 3 2006, 06:49 AM, said:

The Gville Journal has an article on this public meeting held this week.  There will be another meeting in February, date to be determined.

Did anyone go to the one this week?

I did not make it because of work, but I'd like to make it to the one this month, provided it fits my schedule.  I think it was rather inconsiderate to plan a public meeting on a weekday morning.  If the City wants public input, they should allow for people who work, especially considering most of these people use the plaza after working hours.

[Skyliner]

Since there was talk about a possible ice rink on or near the Piazza Bergamo, I wonder if the City or this developer have given up on the idea altogether after many months have passed by.  The concept would definitely work well there, and would easily become a regional attraction, since no other like it exists in the state.  It could be taken further by adding shops and cafes around the edges.

Here is the original article from The Greenville News.

[RestedTraveler]

Skyliner, on Feb 3 2006, 08:26 AM, said:

I did not make it because of work, but I'd like to make it to the one this month, provided it fits my schedule.  I think it was rather inconsiderate to plan a public meeting on a weekday morning.  If the City wants public input, they should allow for people who work, especially considering most of these people use the plaza after working hours.

I agree 100%, Skyliner.  There is absolutely no way I can make it into town for a weekday morning meeting unless I take time off of work, which is not a possibility for me.  It'd be nice if they considered holding the public hearing on the plaza itself during the weekend.  

[Skyliner]

I have been informed that both Mayor White and City Manager Jim Bourey are being notified of our concern and desire to contribute ideas/visions at one of the public meetings.  Mayor White was not readily available to respond, but Mr. Bourey will discuss with the staff the possibility of evening meetings.

[Greenville]

Skyliner, on Feb 3 2006, 10:04 AM, said:

Since there was talk about a possible ice rink on or near the Piazza Bergamo, I wonder if the City or this developer have given up on the idea altogether after many months have passed by.  The concept would definitely work well there, and would easily become a regional attraction, since no other like it exists in the state.  It could be taken further by adding shops and cafes around the edges.

Here is the original article from The Greenville News.

I don't remember that article from over a year ago, but wow, the downtown ice rink/fountain sounds awesome!  I wish this would happen.

[RestedTraveler]

Skyliner, on Feb 3 2006, 12:44 PM, said:

I have been informed that both Mayor White and City Manager Jim Bourey are being notified of our concern and desire to contribute ideas/visions at one of the public meetings.  Mayor White was not readily available to respond, but Mr. Bourey will discuss with the staff the possibility of evening meetings.

This is a step in the right direction.     Thanks, Skyliner!

[vicupstate]

The Woolworth building has Realtor For Sale signs in it.  I don't remember seeing those before.

This brings up the question, what is the status of this building?  I thought they were still trying to get the title issues resolved, and that when they did, a project would occur there.  

Anyone got any news on that ?

[RestedTraveler]

Added a crude rendering of my own personal vision for the Piazza over here.

[GvilleSC]

What's the word with this? Weren't we suppose to have some renderings or info by now?

[g-man430]

GvilleSC, on Mar 28 2006, 02:58 PM, said:

What's the word with this? Weren't we suppose to have some renderings or info by now?

In the latest edition of the Greenville Journal, it said in the tba part of the business section we should hear something about the Piazza Bergamo redevelopment plans in the next few weeks.

[GvilleSC]

^^Thanks!

Hopefully since it's taking so long, they're going to announce a department store tenant for the corner of Main and Washington, as well as other tenants for this prime real estate, when they announce their "findings" or "results". That way maybe this will be underway shortly and the big gap in Main Street will finally be FILLED!  

[GvilleSC]

Here's a link to a Greenville News article on the Piazza Bergamo changes... It's not all that telling, but it's just good to see that it's still charging ahead.
Greenville News- Piazza Bergamo

[Greenville]

Key quote from that article:

"It's not going to be a large greenspace," he says. "It's more of an urban area."  

[Skyliner]

There is an update on the Woolworth's property in the current issue of GSABusiness Journal.  Local real estate executive John Boyd has purchased a sizeable portion of the building.  Read more at http://www.gsabusiness.com/, or pick up a copy at one of their store locations.