The West End

[RestedTraveler]

Some Photos that will, I'm certain, some day soon belong in the "remember when" category:

[gs3]

One of the redeveloped buildings that is doing quite well:

[RestedTraveler]

Here are some anothers that are doing pretty well:

Edited January 28, 2006 by RestedTraveler

[Spartan]

As long as one of the racist Bessinger's (e.g., Maurice) doesn't own the barbecue place, I am all for it. I'm so glad we don't have them or their establishments in our city!

You should know that the other Bessenger, Melvin, is not a racist. In fact, he cut his ties with Maurice because of that whole racist thing.

[Greenville]

Thanks for pointing that out, Spartan. I did not know anything about Melvin except that he was related to Maurice.

[vicupstate]

Melvin owns a BBQ place(s) in the Charleston area right?

There is another brother, Laurie, that I had some exposure too when I worked for the Dept. of Corrections. He is a warden and he didn't seem to be racist at all.

BTW, Maurice ran for Governor in 1970. He wore a white suit (think colonel Sanders) and rode a white horse, as a reminder of his pro-segregation platform.

[Greenville]

Melvin does indeed own a barbecue place in Charleston. It's on Folly Road on James Island. I believe Maurice does too. I have seen a Bessenger's in West Ashley not too far from I-526.

[btoy]

Did you notice that their is a Architects Sign in the window of the building on the left. I went by David Langely's office today to see what was going on but he was not in, I'll try again later.

Also, I saw this Saturday night, anybody remeber what was their and anyone have an idea what is going in?

Im glad someone took these pictures, I wanted to but didn't have a camera with me.

Also, just noticed the add attachments section, often I am not able to show you the images I want to becuase my copies are PDF's. Hopefully this will owrk, it will show you the redesign of 802 S. Main. See attachment.

Edited January 30, 2006 by btoy

[Skyliner]

I don't see the attachment, btoy.

David L. is a nice guy, and I've been impressed with his work in Greer. In my opinion, one of the best small renovations/additions in the upstate is Gerard's on Poinsett Street. If he's involved in the West End, great things are sure to come.

[btoy]

I see that, are PDF's not allowed?

Ya, David is a reat guy, he has been involved with just about every project in Greer including 218 Trade St., Gerard's, The Great Bay Oyster House, Bistro 107, The Codes office, THe new Municipal Complex, and the Neuenhouser Headquarters on Trade St. and much more. He also recently did on restaurant on Main in Greenville.

[Skyliner]

RT, thnks for posting these photos! This entire district is extremely primed for growth. I look forward to witnessing the changes take place in person! Oh wait -- they're already well underway!

[RestedTraveler]

It's only been a week and already one of the buildings photographed above is seeing new signs of life:

[btoy]

The building witht he Langley & associates sign is a speculative renovation.

[RestedTraveler]

Thanks, btoy! I'd say it's a good risk! At any rate, it's going to be something than a hollow shell of an old building.

[sc smitty]

I heard some interesting information on these buildings at 702 and 704 South Main Street, on the corner of S. Main & River St. The owner is seeking permission from the city to demolish the buildings in order to replace them with a new building. From what they say, the structure is in bad shape and it will be more economical to rebuild them. The new elevation matches the windows, brickwork, and cornice of the existing buildings, and has two additional floors above. There is also a new building filling in the vacant lot to the left, which will match the buildings to either side of it.

[RestedTraveler]

I had heard that the owners were seeking permission from the city to raze and rebuild, but I wasn't sure what ever became of that. I've always found this corner building in particular to be interesting. I see people going into and coming from that building fairly often, which is suprising given its dilapidated state and its outward appearance.

[charlie swords]

if i'm correct i believe The Army Navy Store uses the corner building for some storage and all their foam rubber cutting and such. I know they at least used to.

[RestedTraveler]

I had just always figured it was an art studio or that the CIA was running some sort of counter-terrorism initiative from in there...

[Skyliner]

It is occupied by the best anti-terrorism force the USA has -- loyal armed citizens.

Thank you for that great info, sc smitty! I had hoped to see new buildings replace some of these eyesores. It is just way too prime to allow them to be a hole along the path to and from the new ballpark.

[GvilleSC]

Thanks, scsmitty! That would be great to have a 4 story building there and to close that gap between these buildings and the next set. this is a vital corner for sure. Maybe a department store or something big like that would be nice on the bottom floor. Similar to what's trying to take place at Main and Washington. But possibly something more like the Mast General Store- meaning maybe not so typical and national, but more unique and something that would attract people... yet wouldn't compete so much with the local shops that are so vital to the West End.

[RestedTraveler]

Something unique ... OR ... perhaps a CVS, Walgreens, or Eckerd on the first floor that is designed in such a way to fit in with the architecture and era of the buildings around it...and also somewhat old-fashioned on the inside, complete with an ice cream counter and a soda jerk.

[charlie swords]

that wouldn't be such a bad idea...maybe make it something similar to the old Lewis Plaza pharmacy, with a little diner and everything....

[Skyliner]

In any case it needs to be UNIQUE. Something at that location should be prominent.

[btoy]

It appears that the building torn down on S. Main is this.

[GvilleSC]

Hmmm... YAY!

How far down Main is this? I'm struggling to place it...