Greenville Leader

The City of Greenville is set to purchase over six acres of vacant land along Church Street with aims to protect neighborhoods, preserve open space, and provide affordable housing.

"I think it has the potential to be transformational for the surrounding neighborhood,” Councilor Ken Gibson said. “It's a huge parcel of land. Land is absolutely the most valuable asset that we have in the city.”

The acquisition includes 36 parcels around Haynie and Chapin streets, allowing the City to manage future development. Over the past seven months, city planners collaborated with neighbors, business owners, and stakeholders on updating the Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Plan.

"I need to commend the City for their vision, their commitment, to a lot of the same goals that we have here in the neighborhood, how we would like to see this area grow and develop over the next 20 years,” resident John Slipke said. He cited goals such as green space, improved connectivity, and affordable housing options.

The City's 20-year comprehensive plan, GVL2040, aims to preserve 35 percent of vacant land as open space and ensure at least 10 percent of new housing is affordable.

"We have to be really creative, and we have to do things in partnership with the private sector," Mayor Knox White said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a neighborhood in downtown Greenville and provide affordable housing opportunities.”

The $10.7 million purchase will be funded through multiple sources including the City’s capital projects fund, parking enterprise fund, and tree fund. The property can serve as a buffer between residential areas and Church Street corridor.

"It's just a huge win for the city, a huge win for the neighborhood and a generational opportunity to manage our growth. Our priority will be to have this land develop with respect to the neighborhood that's already here,” Councilor Dorothy Dowe stated.

Once approved by Planning Commission and City Council, an urban planner will work with residents on mixed-use designs potentially featuring single-family homes, duplexes, multi-family units, and light retail.

"It really makes me feel good that we are not just talking about priorities; we are actually doing our part to provide things that the community wants," City Manager Shannon Lavrin remarked.

City Council will consider a resolution approving the purchase along with an ordinance appropriating funds during its meeting on Monday, August 12.