232 replies to this topic

[krazeeboi]

After viewing that presentation, all I can say is "Wow!" I especially liked the plans for Hub-Bub and Renaissance Plaza. I also had no idea the Montgomery building was vacant. I think everything that was proposed will really help Spartanburg fill in the gaps between what presently exists downtown. I really hope city leaders take this and run with it and not let it sit on a shelf and collect dust.

[Spartan]

The Montgomery Building is supposedly still being rennovated. If its not then it will need to be finished. As it stands today, nobody would want to rent in that place. Its needs some TLC on the inside, and the outside.

One of Spartanburg's biggest problems, and benefits, its that its landmakrs are so spread out. That will ultimately encourange people to walk between them, but there needs to be a reason to walk. Its a chicken and egg sort of thing. So I am hoping the City will live up to its end of things and buy a freaking chicken

[hub-city]

You're right Spartan - there is way too much to digest quickly in this presentation.  Tons of cool stuff.  I love the Renaissance Plaza, and they way it takes both Liberty and Converse Street to Daniel Morgan (or should I say Vic Bailey Jr. Blvd.)  I also like the idea of a road that conncets the Marriott all the way to Pine Street.

I missed the slide that rerouted 29, but as I said there is a lot of substance in this presentation.   What is also cool is it can be done without having to land the "big fish" right off the bat.  If we fix our pond, the fish will come.

[krazeeboi]

^I think this proves that a "big fish" really isn't necessary. Although Charleston's downtown is a different animal entirely than Spartanburg's, it's revitalization started with a hotel--which would be similar to Greenville's. It really isn't about convention centers and arenas and other superstructures; it's about the small things done on a large scale.

[Spartan]

I think (and hope) that the Vic Bailley JR Blvd moniker is just one of those honorary things that you see on the side of roads, but that the actual name has not been changed. We have entirely too many roads that use unwieldy names. East Daniel Morgan Avenue is bad enough, but at least its a significant historic reference.

I also liked the new road that connected through form the Marriot to Pine St. I assume it would be the natural extension of Archer Street.

The hotel DOES help alot. It is very successful too. I think that Spartanburg can handle at least one more decent sized hotel.

[alias007]

Speaking of long road names, I've always wondered who is/was John B. White, Sr.?  I've lived in Spartanburg for 3 years now, so I feel like I should know this one.  

[djh1963]

John B White Sr is the founder of the Beacon.

[Spartan]

alias007, on Nov 2 2006, 09:56 AM, said:

Speaking of long road names, I've always wondered who is/was John B. White, Sr.?  I've lived in Spartanburg for 3 years now, so I feel like I should know this one.  

John White Sr founded the Beacon Drive-In, which is a legendary Spartanburg eating establishment. If you haven't been you should go today

John White Blvd used to be called Reidville Rd, and many people still call it that. (they just renamed the section of Reidville Rd from I-26 to Main St)

[alias007]

Oh, I've been 'a-plenty'.  Call...... IT!

[Spartan]

There is a good article in the HJ today that gives a good recap on where planning has been in Spartanburg, where it is today, and the challenges we face as a city. Here is the link to the article.

Things that ahve been called for in the past have not come to fruition. The last plan in 1991 had several key things they we needed including a redesigned square, a parking structure, and a new cultural arts center among other things.

The future calls for density and bringing people back to the city and more importantly back to downtown. There used to be a good mix of people living downtown, but now it is devoid of residences.

Converse Heights is an an example of a solid intown neigborhood, and Hampton Heights is well on its way to becoming a string intown neighborhood as well... supposedly the Preservation Trust ahs identified other target neighborhoods to expand its effort to.

I hope that Park Hills, North Dean, South Converse, and Beaumont are among its next targets neightborhoods.

[krazeeboi]

It's good to see that Spartanburg has made progress in terms of truly adopting recommendations made by various struggles. Maybe the success of implementing the suggestions in the 1991 study will give momentum to the implementation of the suggestions given in the recent charrette.

[hub-city]

with the CCC planning an opening in october, does anyone know if the city is going to move forward with some of the street plans?  I'm mainly thinking about Converse and liberty streets since they both serve the center.  If you drive Converse street and come to the intersection of St. John, the building sits straight across from you, so they are going to have to reconfigure a little.

[Spartan]

That was my concern with the layout from the beginning. Once they apply the road diet to Converse St it will work out.

[Spartan]

What's the latest here? Where is that booklet/information packet that we were suppoed to get?

[Spartan]

The Journal says that we'll be seeing something about this soon.

[krazeeboi]

Something like the implementation of the "Smart Code"?

[Spartan]

Who knows. City Council was supposed to hear the first round of talks about the master plan this month.

[Spartan]

Looks like "the end of June" is the new target date for the draft plan to be released, according to the GSA Business Journal.

http://www.gsabusiness.com/

[distortedlogic]

Spartan, on May 19 2007, 04:42 PM, said:

Looks like "the end of June" is the new target date for the draft plan to be released, according to the GSA Business Journal.

http://www.gsabusiness.com/

Wow, the rendering looks great. And sounds like the 10 mixed use developments could really transform DT. Looking forward to seeing some more plans on this.  

[Spartan]

There are more renderings here:

http://www.cityofspa.....ster plan.htm