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Piazza Bergamo

RestedTraveler

By RestedTraveler
in Greenville

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goodbye Metropolitan Area

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Someone should include some of the propositions given by members of this forum as well. I would like to see the space opened up, but with plenty of landscaping around the edges and a World-class structure as the centerpiece somewhere in the Plaza. I would also love to see more shops and restarants lining the edges all the way to the BoA tower. The potential is limitless and should be fulfilled as such. :thumbsup:

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GvilleSC Megalopolis

GvilleSC

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Ok, I got bored and got to thinking...

This is what I'd like to see happen to the Piazza area: (NOTE: Please disregard the proportions and whatnot. :) )

To the left side will rise a new tower, not as tall as the BoA building, but something to add to the urban aspect. The tower would be a "sliver" building. Pretty much storefronts will line the entire piazza--the first building being around four stories and the others ranging from 2-4 stories, including entrances to the new tower and the BoA building; also there will be NO green space, atleast not in the center where this rendering shows. Somewhere you can add in your mind a water feature or such that would be a mini attraction.

I think I made it look a little deep, but you get the jist.

clemson06.jpg

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goodbye Metropolitan Area

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Great work, GvilleSC! :thumbsup: We need more people showing their ideas on this forum.

I like the idea of a new tower on that location. I had once thought that it might actually be the spot of Bob Ellis's second tower, but I can't say for sure now. I would love it to be at least as tall as the BoA tower, but would be glad for almost anything at this point. :)

Storefronts are a must for the future success of the Begamo Piazza. I would like to see some trees line them about twelve to fifteen feet away to alow for a steady flow of foot traffic. These trees could be smallish and Italian-looking in a decorative manner, rather than the large oaks that line Main Street. The ground should have a flowing arrangement of bricks or stones on the path around the plaza in front of the storefronts. In the center plaza area, a unique ground design should be formed out of concrete, brick, or stone. I love the idea of a large fountain as a centerpiece, but it should be totally unique and rival the Liberty Bridge in architectural significance. I'll try to create a quick rendering of it as soon as I get a chance.

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RestedTraveler Metropolis

RestedTraveler

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I've been milling around an idea to transform both this plaza and Laurens Street into something that will make everyone happy. I'm loving the idea to provide extra store and restaurant space fronting the plaza, keeping in mind the new development that will replace the garage and lot on the corner of Richardson and Washington.

My thinking though, is to try both provide a paved plaza with an interactive centerpiece fountain (one which is designed to include little filtered doggie bowls or doggie drinking fountains) and to provide a 6' to 10' wide stretch of green grass (on Laurens Street between West North Street and Washington Street) for dog owners to run their pets silly.

I'll try to draw this up as best I can on the PC this evening.

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RestedTraveler Metropolis

RestedTraveler

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Hmmmm, For green space, I wonder if they would just grass Laurens Street behind the Richardson St Garage. It'd be of fair size and then sidewalks could like each side.

That's my thinking as well, only it would extend from West North Street to Washington Street (the length of the entire block rather than just the part between the Richardson Street Garage and Mast General Store). It'd be a nice stretch for people to walk their dogs as well as providing some "green" in the vacinity. I could see sidewalks and trees lining either side of the grass strip (which would be 6' to 10' wide and the length of the block) along with benches and some additional outdoor art/sculpture/sidewalk quotes/etc..

It could be called "Laurens Green" at Piazza Bergamo. :lol:

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Greenville City

Greenville

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I would love to see a tower built next to the BofA building, but how realistic is that at this point? After all, Pinnacle on Main is having trouble selling the required minimum number of units, the Tower and Falls and Broad is on hold, and the building at Main and Broad has been called off. It seems that there isn't enough demand right now. Or is that a function of the type of units being for sale?

I still contend that a high-rise residential complex of relatively affordable units would do extremely well, and the builder could make it taller to get more bang for his or her investment dollar. Wouldn't it be cool to have a condo that overlooked the new Piazza Bergamo?

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goodbye Metropolitan Area

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I'd certainly consider moving into a high-rise condo at the heart of downtown, next to the Piazza. If one were to be built, I would like it to be styled after the Italian architecture of the new Piazza at Bergamo. This would also be a great place to live, but I would much prefer the view from a high-rise condo. :shades:

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  • 2 weeks later...
goodbye Metropolitan Area

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Nice work, RT! :thumbsup: That gives a clear visual representation of your vision. We need to get these together (I'm still working on one) to present at a meeting in the near future. Any details you want to share should be written and packaged as a handout for further review by the developers. This is an exciting opportunity for people like us to make a difference in the future of downtown Greenville! :yahoo:

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RestedTraveler Metropolis

RestedTraveler

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I like your plan, but there would be a practical issue to deal with. That would be the access that would be lost from the loss of Laurens St., ie deliveries, etc. How big of an issue that is, I don't know but it would be one.

I considered this issue as well, but forgot to inquire about it. I know places like Mast General Store use the rear of the building for deliveries, and would assume most of the others do also. :unsure:

Although I did not articulate it well, my thinking is that the paved areas that flank the green should be wide enough to allow vehicles to pass to provide deliveries, pick up rubbage, etc., OR, if necessary, the green should be narrow enough for vehicles to straddle the green while on the pavers. The second alternative would, of course, not have trees down the green. :(

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GvilleSC Megalopolis

GvilleSC

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Although I did not articulate it well, my thinking is that the paved areas that flank the green should be wide enough to allow vehicles to pass to provide deliveries, pick up rubbage, etc., OR, if necessary, the green should be narrow enough for vehicles to straddle the green while on the pavers. The second alternative would, of course, not have trees down the green. :(

There is a drive in between the Richardson Street Garage and the BoA building. Maybe if you grassed Laurens St, then you could use the driveway thing for deliveries...?

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goodbye Metropolitan Area

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I personally don't care if they do remove all of the grass in this block. My reasoning is that Greenville's downtown has so many parks nearby for the types of play we're talking about. I see this space in the plaza as being a more urban hardscape with decorative trees, lights, and sculpture. I also see more shops lining the entire outer edge. Maybe the design could incorporate a more radial storefront approach? I think multi level retail/restaurant with a glass-faced elevator would be awesome. Think West End Market, only more Italian. These places are hotspots for pedestrian traffic and the location is ideal. It would be extra special if there could be a unique spire over the elevator to really set the plaza "on fire." :shades:

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wellen Whistle-Stop

wellen

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For all those interested:

Piazza Bergamo Public Meeting

The City of Greenville

Public Notice

To: Neighborhood Association Representatives,

Owners of property located within 150 feet of Piazza Bergamo,

Registered email recipients

From: Brennan C. Townsend, Esq., Development Planner

Subject: Piazza Bergamo Design Workshop

Date: April 04, 2006

The City of Greenville will hold a public workshop to discuss designs for the Piazza Bergamo in the Central Business District on Monday April 10, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. in the 9th floor conference room at City Hall. All members of the public are invited to attend and provide feedback on proposed design elements. If you need additional information please call the City of Greenville Planning & Zoning Office at (864) 467-4476.

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g-man430 Town

g-man430

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Just heard the new plans for Piazza Bergamo on WYFF. Restaurants along Main Street, most of the people who attended, and me are all against it. The new plans include for the bridge to come down, the grass to be covered up, a carousel to be placed inside Piazza Bergamo, and no more Downtown Alive due to too little space inside the area after it is complete. The renderings did look good though. I say they tear down the bridge, the old Woolworth building, and the old Young Fashions store, but leave the rest.

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