South Ridge (Church St. and University Ridge)

[legend2308]

I ride by the intersection of Church St. and University Ridge everyday. For about the past week or two they have been working on tearing down an old Auto/Muffler shop and looks like they have torn down a house beside it as well.

Looks like they might be clearing out the area to put something new in.
Anybody know what might be going on at this site?

[benjamesriddle]

??? I wonder ???

[gman430]

Nothing new will be going in at the present time. The city has started demolishing old abandoned structures in the area. This is the site of the proposed mixed-use development by Hughes but that is on hold at the moment.

[vicupstate]

Nothing new will be going in at the present time. The city has started demolishing old abandoned structures in the area. This is the site of the proposed mixed-use development by Hughes but that is on hold at the moment.

Thanks for the info.

I was hoping that maybe the Hughes plan was coming to life, but given the economy, I guess that is too much to expect. At least the area is geting cleaned up though. The mechanic place looked pretty bad.

The antique place were the owner was killed on Wade Hampton at Church has come down as well. I wonder what if anything will happen there.

[vicupstate]

I've noticed a few things in this area recently. In addition to demolition of the mechanic place on the SE corner of Church and University Ridge and a few of the houses around it, a warehouse-type building on the NORTH side of University Ridge has been demoed as well. Another warehouse-type building next to that building has recently changed hands.

Lastly, there are signs from the city for a public hearing to discuss closing several of the residential streets between University Ridge and The Brio.

While no construction plans may be immient, apparently this area is being prepped for that to happen later, I assume when the economy improves.

[btoy]

that warehouse was purchased by bob hughes and will be converted to high tech office space.

[legend2308]

I noticed today they started cleaning out the warehouse that was purchased. They had the Bay Doors open and dumpsters places in front of them.

They have also all but finished tearing down out the old houses across the street.

[adrockc2]

I guess this is the appropriate thread for NEXT.

Here is what the site looks like as of today.

Here is the rendering of the remodel and addition.

[GvilleSC]

Thanks for the before photos. The one that shows downtown gives a nice perspective and understanding as to the location and views of the project.

[gs3]

I guess this is the appropriate thread for NEXT.

Here is what the site looks like as of today.

Here is the rendering of the remodel and addition.

Noticed yesterday that the contractor sign is already up at the site and some lite demo work seems to be taking place.

[Greenville]

This development will certainly be an improvement over what is currently there, but I still find the architecture to be a huge disappointment. They could have gone in many different directions in order to create the creative/forward-thinking environment they are obviously going for. But unfortunately they chose this drab architecture that looks like a combination of a prison yard and old college dormitory.

I am thrilled by the whole idea behind NEXT and think what goes on there will be great. Hopefully the work that comes out of this development will more than make up for how unsightly this will seemingly be on the outside.

[distortedlogic]

This development will certainly be an improvement over what is currently there, but I still find the architecture to be a huge disappointment. They could have gone in many different directions in order to create the creative/forward-thinking environment they are obviously going for. But unfortunately they chose this drab architecture that looks like a combination of a prison yard and old college dormitory.

Exactly. The business will be a great improvment, but the look of it may actually be worse, as this awful looking thing will be much more noticeable.

[Spartan]

^I agree. I'm not a fan of the look, but as y'all stated, the existing building creates some site constraints, so given that I think the use for the site will be a major improvement.

[Danmire]

They have a for sale sign on the corner where they have been demolishing all the houses. It's 6.2 acres. Thats a good size piece of property.

[gs3]

They have a for sale sign on the corner where they have been demolishing all the houses. It's 6.2 acres. Thats a good size piece of property.

Has the Bi-Lo/office/retail development been canceled for this site?

[gman430]

Has the Bi-Lo/office/retail development been canceled for this site?

Yes. It's been dead for sometime now from what i'm hearing.

[benjamesriddle]

I wish it could come back from the grave! It would have been nice!

[Danmire]

I think something that will compliment the development across the road now will be good. I think originally the thought of a super bi-lo there was a hell of a lot better than all the houses there. But now that they have been knocked down and that lot is available I'm kind of glad the original plan fell through. There's potentila there fo rit to be something more than just a big box with ancillary commercial around it.

[vicupstate]

I think something that will compliment the development across the road now will be good. I think originally the thought of a super bi-lo there was a hell of a lot better than all the houses there. But now that they have been knocked down and that lot is available I'm kind of glad the original plan fell through. There's potentila there fo rit to be something more than just a big box with ancillary commercial around it.

It was never intended to be that in the first place. What was proposed was a high-density, mixed use project that covered significantly more than 6.2 acres. It had a big residential component as well as lots of urban designed commercial space. Most of the parking was in garages. The Super Bi-Lo site itself was SOMEWHAT suburb style, but even it had urban elements as well.

I would love to see that plan come back. Unfortunately, in this economy that is doubtful. Frankly, I'd rather it sit empty until something big and well-designed like that is do-able again.

[gs3]

I guess this is the appropriate thread for NEXT.

Here is the rendering of the remodel and addition.

A good article (short) from the Washington Post, with info on the NextStart incubator.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...9033103440.html

http://www.nextstart.org/

[Greenville]

Greenville is in excellent company with this type of development. The other cities mentioned in the Washington Post article are Washington, DC, Denver, Austin, Philadelphia, Boston, and Atlanta.

[vicupstate]

The renovation of the existing building is progressing nicely, but there is no evidence of the adavent of construction o fthe new building (with the condos) is that coming later? Does anyone know?

[westendlvn]

Yeah, it's coming later. The developer is still working out some of the design details. The building will now have more of an L shape to it with frontage along Church.

[GvilleSC]

Glad to hear that. I'm looking forward to this development taking off

[btoy]

I saw that they also now have removed the double Billboard that was infront of the building. Another Improvement.

And I know this isn't part of this project, but it also is nearby. The Church's Chicken on Augusta has been torn down.