United Community Plaza (S Pine & E Main Mixed Use)

[Spartan]

This is a nice infill project. It's also really exiting to see the form-based code produce results in the market.

[westsider28]

Exterior seems like it's getting pretty close to completion.  Loopnet still shows May 2019 for leasing availability.  Hopefully that's just them being really safe, and it will be done sooner than that.

I'm somewhat concerned with the windows.  They're not really storefronts; more like office windows.  The only street-facing entrances appear to be in the white-clad portions.  I hope the primary retail entrances don't face the parking lot.  It's still a bit hard to tell, so we'll see.

[roads-scholar]

10 hours ago, westsider28 said:

Exterior seems like it's getting pretty close to completion.  Loopnet still shows May 2019 for leasing availability.  Hopefully that's just them being really safe, and it will be done sooner than that.

I'm somewhat concerned with the windows.  They're not really storefronts; more like office windows.  The only street-facing entrances appear to be in the white-clad portions.  I hope the primary retail entrances don't face the parking lot.  It's still a bit hard to tell, so we'll see.

But a huge improvement, aesthetically, to that intersection.   

[Spartan]

I guarantee you the de facto 'main' entrance will be from the parking lot, even if the intended main entrance is from the street.

[westsider28]

Not hugely different, but here's a photo from a few days ago.

And a bonus shot of the new Wendy's (framing up).

[Spartan]

Oh wow, I didn't realize that Wendy's design was approved. 

It's possible that I'm more exited about the Wendy's than anything else going on in downtown right now (architecturally speaking).

[westsider28]

The exterior of the UCP is basically complete.  They appear to be working on the parking lot now, as well as continuing interior work.

Also, here are a few photos of the nearby Wendy's.  They once mentioned being finished this year, which I doubt is doable, but I could see it possibly opening in January.

[westsider28]

Here are some photo updates from before the snow storm.  UCP has added awnings, and they're putting in a wide sidewalk separated from Pine Street (should be much more comfortable to walk on):

And nearby, the most urban Wendy's in (at least) the Carolinas:

[Spartan]

Awesome, great pics as usual! Thanks for the update

[westsider28]

Another update: UCP has exterior lighting now.  Some trees have been planted.  Parking lot not yet paved and sidewalk still a work-in-progress.  There's a cool chandelier in the main corner atrium that's a bit hard to see with the banners still up.

Wendy's is really coming along.  Interior looks nearly finished, outside seating area is fenced in, some trees/shrubs are in, and a faux vine wall was being put up today.

[westsider28]

H-J article today about UCP progress.  Good photos of the bank's interior and the atrium chandelier I mentioned.  They should be soft-opening in a few weeks.  The parking lot still needs to be paved (it's been delayed by all the rain).  Grand opening should be March or April.  No news on other tenants.

I like the sound of this quote by Jansen Tidmore of the Chamber of Commerce: "I expect many more Pine at Main announcements in the coming years due to this investment.”  

[Spartan]

That intersection seems like a no brainer if you want visibility, walkability, access to downtown, strong neighborhoods, good schools, and I-85.

[westsider28]

Both UCP and Wendy's have paved their parking lots.  Landscaping underway for both.  UCP landscaping along Pine is hampered by asinine new SCDOT rules that prevent street trees of any kind between sidewalk and road.  Back of UCP is boring, but the point of the urban code is to make the public facing sides look nice.  Photos from today:

[Spartan]

Wow, what a sad front door on Wendy's. It's otherwise not a bad building at all.

[westsider28]

Bennett Paving posted several aerial photos of UCP (with Wendy's cameo) on their Instagram account.  Check the link for all 4, here's one:

[Spartan]

Am I crazy or does that Wendy's not have a drive thru? Or is it just the angle of the pic?

[westsider28]

16 hours ago, Spartan said:

Am I crazy or does that Wendy's not have a drive thru? Or is it just the angle of the pic?

Just the angle.  The drive-thru goes right up against the Corner of Main & Pine building, then around behind the Wendy's building.  Here's the site plan again:

[mainonmain]

Next question: Good use for the old Wendy's corner? Another restaurant of some sort? Guess it's a bad spot and too small for a small multi-family residential building. 

[Spartan]

I hope it gets torn down. It's a terrible site plan. If it gets re-used, it would need to be for a restaurant or other food-prep type of operation.

[westsider28]

Significant interior up-fit is underway for the restaurant tenant here. (rumored to be Chicken Salad Chick, I believe?)  I'm surprised it hasn't been officially announced yet.  This is the middle space on the East Main side, which could potentially have sidewalk seating.

Entrance at white section. Space spans several windows beyond, too.

[Spartan]

That's a nice, wide sidewalk!

[Spartanburg Dude]

Saw that a Dunbar construction sign went up across the street at the shopping center recently acquired by Andrew Babb (the one where Skillet is). 

Any idea what they're doing? Reno, rebuild? 

[westsider28]

4 hours ago, Spartanburg Dude said:

Saw that a Dunbar construction sign went up across the street at the shopping center recently acquired by Andrew Babb (the one where Skillet is). 

Any idea what they're doing? Reno, rebuild? 

An H-J article about the center being acquired mentioned that they were going to reconfigure the parking lot to make it easier to navigate.  That may be what's happening.  And maybe some interior up-fit.

Edited April 1, 2019 by westsider28

[1Spartanburg]

I looked in the window of the new construction at United Community Bank and it said Moes Southwest Grill on the building permit sign!!!

Hopefully if you heard Chicken Salad Chick, they will go on the other side of the building. It is all great news!!!

[westsider28]

Eh.  Moe's is pretty disappointing.  Not new-to-market and (IMO) not great food in general.  I would've preferred Chipotle, honestly.  I'm sure it will be popular, though.

The Chicken Salad Chick rumors were second-hand for me, so I have no clue about the validity.