Outdoor Amphitheater on Haywood Road
An outdoor amphitheater is being considered, similar to the one in downtown Greenville, as one of the ways to spruce up the Haywood Road corridor
near Greenville’s largest mall. That’s one of the ways consultant firm Clark Patterson Lee has suggested in an effort to revitalize and re-brand the area as “Uptown Greenville”. A large amphitheater seating thousands could provide draw for outdoor concerts as well as host high school graduation ceremonies and weddings. A tentative site is 25 acres near the Fluor campus where a Charlotte developer had planned a mix of shopping, offices, houses and a hotel before the economic slowdown put the brakes on the project. The developer Merrifield Partners is said to be “encouraged” by the idea. More details are in the works and will be presented in May to the City’s Planning Commission before heading to the City Council.
New Home Construction Dropped Significantly
New home construction in the Greenville area 
has dropped off significantly over the last year, primarily due to the inability of builders to obtain financing for speculative houses. The demand from buyers is there, especially for first time buyers, but the supply of houses is not. According to Michael Dey of the Home Builders Association of Greenville, the annual rate for the first quarter of 2009 was 1,576 new homes built, compared to 1,633 in the 4th quarter of 2008, and 3,591 in the 4th quarter of 2007. Although existing inventory has declined, Dey expects the rate to hover around the 1,500 mark for the rest of 2009 and well into 2010. The significance of this to people listing their homes is that they are not competing with as many new homes as in the past, which is a good thing.
Transit Line between Mauldin and Simpsonville Being Considered
With additional federal funding available in President Obama’s stimulus package, the cities of Mauldin and Simpsonville are reconsidering a transit line between the two cities that was previous rejected on concerns over operational funds. There are still many questions to be answered, but perhaps $1.2 million upfront for the purchase of the buses and $855,000 annually for operational costs could validate the project. The proposed route would run from Fairview Road, along Main Street in downtown Simpsonville, to Main Street in Mauldin, and down the state highway 276 corridor into Greenville. There have also been discussions about stops at the Millennium Campus, CU-ICAR, The Shops at Greenridge, Greenville Tech, and Haywood Mall.
Children's Museum Firm opening for July 2009
Despite
a slowdown in fundraising in a sluggish economy, the Children’s Museum
is schedule
d to open in late July at the Heritage Green in downtown
Greenville. The endeavor has been ongoing since 2000, and is finally
coming to fruition with the $20 million renovation of the former
Greenville Library. The exhibit follows a trend in children’s museums
by re-interpreting how families and kids play, and offers a hands-on,
child centered exploration for the entire family. The central theme
involved in the museum is getting the kids to ask questions, which
enables them to direct their own learning and allows for creative self
expression. There will be 18 major exhibits targeted for kids under
age 11, and include a Formula One simulator, a Bi-Lo supermarket, a
hospital and a kitchen.
Artisphere is Back With a New Time in MAY
The popular Artisphere comes back to Greenville this year May 8-10, a month later than previous festivals when poor weather hampered the event. New features this year include a short-film festival by Southeast filmmakers and the exclusive Chairman’s Rooms above Larkin’s on the River, which will present works from two established galleries. Of course you’ll see the perennial favorites Art in Motion by Brian Olson and the slew of booths along Artist Row. There will also be plenty of roving visual and performing artists to pique your interest. Click here for more on this fun event for the entire family.
Main Street Jazz is starting every Thursday night at5:30-9:30PM for 28 weeks.
Current Weather Yep, we are in full-on spring now and the plants are loving it; there’s plenty of green as the trees have really leafed out and the foliage has gone wild. Expect mostly clear skies this week with warm weather. Highs should be in the low 80s and lows in the upper 50s. There’s a chance of thunderstorms later in the week.
Featured Home:
311 Longstreet Drive, GREENVILLE SC 29650
$198,000
MLS #: 1179824
This beautiful home has plenty of updates and features a full finished basement with lots of room to spreadout. There’s more square footage than you’d think and the 0.38 acre level lot in the back is a real private gem with mature hardwoods and fruit trees. Plentyof parking pad space, with room for 5 cars behind the house.
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