257 replies to this topic

[gsupstate]

We've all read the articles about other cities sending delegations to Greenville to learn from the success of our downtown.  Last month I believe it was Ft. Wayne, IN.  Here is a link about Greensboro, NC city leaders learning from Greenville:

http://www.wfmynews2...x?storyid=49216

[Skyliner]

Since we have a thread for this topic now (thanks to gsupstate ), I thought it important to include a link to the other thread where the Fort Wayne discussion has taken place.  If you guys think it should be moved to this thread, just let Spartan or me know.

Discussion on Fort Wayne Delegation in Greenville - Many interesting facts!

[ROBTEX]

There's a great little video to watch on this page, too. Greenville is a very exciting city right now and has a beautiful downtown. I find it very impressive that North Carolina leaders would travel to a South Carolina city to learn how to make some major improvements! Greenville is SOOO far ahead of many cities its size, even larger cities. Greenvillians should be very proud!

[Skyliner]

One of the neatest things about Greenville is the words you hear from the many visitors walking around downtown.  I can only say that everyone who visits is totally blown away by how alive this place is.  And it is growing incredibly fast on top of that.  Yes, Greenville is a marvel!

[NYTransplant]

Speaking of visitors and Greenville,

To put into perspective how the falls have long been the centerpiece of Greenville,  here is a quote from the Greenville News on July 4, 1926:

"The Falls, the one thing that Greenville was prouder of than anything else. When a stranger arrived in town, and before his name was dry on the hotel register, he was taken down to see The Falls that Greenville folks believed to be second on to Niagara. "

Actually if you are into history, there is a collection of Greenville News articles by Charles A. David which is taken from the book "Greenville of Old"  where Charles tells of what he remembers from his childhood which would be around the late 1800's.  Its a real interesting read.  I converted it to a PDF file and it is 110 pages.  I haven't gotten through it all yet.

The web site is Here

Edited by NYTransplant, 01 October 2005 - 04:22 PM.

[krazeeboi]

ROBTEX, on Oct 1 2005, 05:20 PM, said:

There's a great little video to watch on this page, too. Greenville is a very exciting city right now and has a beautiful downtown. I find it very impressive that North Carolina leaders would travel to a South Carolina city to learn how to make some major improvements! Greenville is SOOO far ahead of many cities its size, even larger cities. Greenvillians should be very proud!

Greenville is certainly ahead of many of its peer cities, but I don't necessarily find it extraordinarily fascinating that NC delegations are being sent to the city. Heck, even Raleigh could stand to learn a thing or two from Columbia in both past and future respects (i.e., locating developments downtown instead of out in the 'burbs).

[Skyliner]

How did Columbia make it into this discussion? As far as downtown revitalization, they all could learn a thing or two from Greenville.  Obviously that is the well-documented case.

[gsupstate]

krazeeboi, on Oct 1 2005, 06:35 PM, said:

Greenville is certainly ahead of many of its peer cities, but I don't necessarily find it extraordinarily fascinating that NC delegations are being sent to the city. Heck, even Raleigh could stand to learn a thing or two from Columbia in both past and future respects (i.e., locating developments downtown instead of out in the 'burbs).

You're right, one city from North Carolina sending delegations, not that fascinating.  However the list of cities nationally (something like 25 plus), that have sent delegations....thats pretty fascinating!      I'll post links later on today for many of these cities newspapers and the articles about their trips to Greenville.  Fascinating reading!  These cities haved all learned from Greenville and I think its great Greenville is sharing it's success and energy with others.     By the way, most cities were not peer cities in size, but much larger cities.

[gsupstate]

Some links below to some good reading:

http://www.lehighval...aspx?pageid=616

http://www/fortwayne...al/12625736.htm

http://www.wane.com/...8&nav=menu32_11

http://www.fortwayne...el/12687600.htm

http://www.fortwayne...el/12723911.htm

http://www.fortwayne...ss/12625669.htm

http://www.wfmynews2...x?storyid=49216

[Skyliner]

Important to include this link, and note some of the other cities it mentions.

• Birmingham
  
• Winston-Salem
  
• Durham
  
• Raleigh
  
• Montgomery
  
• Augusta
  
• Columbus, GA
  
• Marietta, GA
  
• Reading, PA
  
• Greensboro
  
• Fort Wayne
  
• Madison County, MS

[Skyliner]

Another link to a piece about Nancy Whitworth's help in building public-private partnerships in Greenville.  This one is from Ohio.

[Skyliner]

Here is a GREAT article in The News & Observer, a Raleigh-Durham publisher.  Very nice and lengthy read published in March!

News & Observer Article on Greenville!

[Skyliner]

Another interesting publication from last summer.  Highlights Greenville's Main Street retail revitalization.

http://www.developme.....mmer 2004.pdf

[krazeeboi]

Skyliner, on Oct 1 2005, 10:23 PM, said:

How did Columbia make it into this discussion?

Hey, I think it's only fair, given the times you Greenvillians have managed to sneak Greenville in on a Columbia thread.  

But it's great to see that Greenville is serving as a national model for downtown/Main Street revitalization. The hard work is definitely paying off.

[NYTransplant]

Wow!

That's some great stuff.  Thanks for the links.

We can't be unique in our situation.  What are some of the other cities that are getting the visits like we are?  I saw that one of the articles mentioned Chattanooga's revitalization.

[krazeeboi]

Yeah, Chattanooga comes to mind, specifically for their riverfront development I believe. I would imagine that just about any other city that has won the "Main Street USA" award would be getting visits as well. The however, I think Greenville is probably the largest city thus far to win one, so other cities visit Greenville in hopes of duplicating its success within the context of a larger urban environment.

[ROBTEX]

krazeeboi, on Oct 1 2005, 05:35 PM, said:

Greenville is certainly ahead of many of its peer cities, but I don't necessarily find it extraordinarily fascinating that NC delegations are being sent to the city. Heck, even Raleigh could stand to learn a thing or two from Columbia in both past and future respects (i.e., locating developments downtown instead of out in the 'burbs).

"There's a great little video to watch on this page, too. Greenville is a very exciting city right now and has a beautiful downtown. I find it very impressive that North Carolina leaders would travel to a South Carolina city to learn how to make some major improvements! Greenville is SOOO far ahead of many cities its size, even larger cities. Greenvillians should be very proud!"

Perspective is an interesting thing...did anyone pick up on the fact that I said nothing about finding it "extraordinarily fascinating" that NC leaders would travel to South Carolina for ideas? I said "I find it very impressive that North Carolina leaders would travel to South Carolina..." I do find it very impressive that leaders from a state that is SO very far ahead of SC in SO many ways would travel to a South Carolina city for ideas. Should we discuss the educational system, the annexation laws, the vision for economy transformation, or ??? This was certainly meant as a compliment. I know you Greenvillians and pro-Greenvillians (of which I am one!) are a very active and proud group on this site, but I think you should take a step back sometimes and not respond from so much of an emotional stance as from a scientific, data-backed stance. No one is prouder than I of being born and reared in the great state of SC, but I can't let that pride segregate me from certain facts. Greenville, outside of SC, is NOT a nationally recognized city. Some 20+ states have a "Green(e)ville," so the national prominence simply is not there. If I say "Greenville" in Dallas, people assume I mean Greenville, TX, and so on in TN, NC, MS, ME, etc. Without the addition of "Spartanburg" to the area name, the city of Greenville, SC requires further clarification for most folks outside of SC and certainly outside of the SE states. Those of you who have lived and/or traveled vastly outside of SC know what I mean, for sure. BUT, as mentioned, I find it REALLY cool that once people "stumble" across Greenville, SC, they are so amazed and impressed with its beauty, vibrance, and obvious potential. I LOVE what you guys do on this forum, but don't let your sense of pride outweigh your sense of national knowledge and perspective.

[Spartan]

gsupstate, on Oct 3 2005, 12:21 PM, said:

Some links below to some good reading:

http://www.lehighval...aspx?pageid=616

http://www/fortwayne...al/12625736.htm

http://www.wane.com/...8&nav=menu32_11

http://www.fortwayne...el/12687600.htm

http://www.fortwayne...el/12723911.htm

http://www.fortwayne...ss/12625669.htm

http://www.wfmynews2...x?storyid=49216

Skyliner, on Oct 3 2005, 01:05 PM, said:

Important to include this link, and note some of the other cities it mentions.

• Birmingham
  
  
• Winston-Salem
  
  
• Durham
  
  
• Raleigh
  
  
• Montgomery
  
  
• Augusta
  
  
• Columbus, GA
  
  
• Marietta, GA
  
  
• Reading, PA
  
  
• Greensboro
  
  
• Fort Wayne
  
  
• Madison County, MS

Indeed. Don't forget to include vital information such as links.

[Skyliner]

I'm afraid you've got it a little mixed up there.  I see what you're saying from one perspective, but there are many others you've not taken into consideration.  I know people from all over the Nation who recognize Greenville as a nice city in SC.  Maybe some need Spartanburg to be added - but many don't.  Do you watch The Weather Channel?  You won't see any other Greenville in their 40-city forcast.  I can't think of another Greenville with the International prominence this one has either.

[Spartan]

True, but they still have to tack SC onto Greenville on TWC to avoid confusion...