06.08.2023

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Today’s Forecast

50º | Sunny | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:38 a.m. | Sunset 5:31 p.m.

🛬 The designs have landed

Designs unveiled for Greenville’s Airport District

A rendering of a road with a bridge over it and an airplane taking flight above.

A multimodel tunnel is one idea to extend the airport’s north runway. | Rendering by the city of Greenville + Arcadis

Drumroll, please. If you’ve been curious about the Airport District — the City of Greenville’s new focus area around the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) and Greenville Convention Center — preliminary design plans have been unveiled.

Need a refresh?

City leaders are crafting a 15-year master plan that pairs the city’s economic development goals with the logistical requirements of developing around an airport.

The consulting team at Arcadis — a global architecture, planning, and design company — is offering its expertise. Expect to see development both around the airport and within GMU itself (like runway and facility improvements).

While still in the early stages, the designs revealed in the Airport District Plan Presentation accomplish four project goals:

Balance the major corridors for all users
Capitalize on the airport district’s unique qualities (like the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trial opening soon)
Leverage potential connectivity to create community identity + market value
Reroute key roads to leverage community assets

Here are some major updates revealed in the plan.

A map showing where the Runway Loop Trail will connect the district's perimeter. — How would you explore this 4.5-mile trail?
|
Rendering by the city of Greenville + Arcadis

Runway Loop Trail

One 4.5-mile trail would connect the entire Airport District’s perimeter. Runway Loop Trail would link the convention center, Haywood + Laurens Roads, and the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail Green Line.

A mobility hub

Also off the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail will be a mobility hub. Features include skateboard rentals, a bike repair station, BCycle rideshare, and water fountains.

A rendering showing a large area with benches in a field where people are watching airplanes fly overhead. — Stop off the trail and watch airplanes fly overhead.
|
Rendering by the city of Greenville + Arcadis

An airplane viewing platform

The plan proposes a viewing platform off of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail where passersby can stop to watch airplanes coming through GMU.

Safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers

Expect more trees, spot medians, and high quality crosswalks breaking up roads, all with one purpose: to reduce vehicle speeds and crash potential.

Additional development

As for commerce and housing in the district, one recommendation is for a hotel near the convention center. Findings also show nearly 900,000 sqft available for retail and the potential for 1,516 apartments and townhomes.

Asked

Which Airport District plan speaks to you the most?

A. The 4.5-mile Runway Loop Trail
B. An airplane viewing platform
C. Accommodations for pedestrians + cyclists like the mobility hub
D. The potential for new shops, restaurants, and hotels

Tell us your favorite plan

Events

Thursday, June 8

Art & Light x Anchorage Exhibit featuring Hannah Yanetsko | Thursday, June 8-Saturday, July 15 | 5-9:30 p.m. | The Anchorage Restaurant, 586 Perry Ave., Greenville | Free entry | Artist Hannah Yanetsko’s collection of work, “The Space Between Love and Mystery,” is part of the quarterly Anchorage Exhibition Series curated by Art & Light Gallery.
Moonlight Movies | Thursday, June 8-Thursday, June 29 | 7 p.m. | Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer | Free entry | Watch “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” under the stars at this summer outdoor movie series.
Music by the Lake | Thursday, June 8-Thursday, July 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Furman Amphitheater, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | Free entry | Bring your own lawn chairs, a picnic dinner, and a blanket and enjoy live music each week.

Friday, June 9

Twin Creeks Lavender Farm UPICK Event | Friday, June 9-Sunday, July 2 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Twin Creeks Lavender Farm, 4638 Midway Rd., Williamston | $5 | Pick fresh lavender bouquets and enjoy Honest Scoop lavender ice cream, Mama K’s Elderberry lavender elderberry lemonade, and farm activities.
Weekends at Unity | Friday, June 9-Sunday, Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Unity Park, 320 S. Hudson St., Greenville | Free | Enjoy a sweet treat from one food vendor every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April-October.

Saturday, June 10

Upstate Record Swap | Saturday, Jun. 10, Saturday, Jul. 8 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Pharmacy Records, 21 Shoppers Dr., Greenville | Free entry | Buy, sell, and trade records, plus talk music with fellow music lovers.
Live Music: Charlie Sleeth | Saturday, June 10-Monday, July 24 | Times vary | The Piano Lounge at Westin Poinsett, 120 S. Main St., Greenville | Free entry | Enjoy live piano and singing from Charlie Sleeth.

See more June events

Click here to have your event featured.

Sports

Building a championship team with head coach Kirby Smart

Coach Kirby Smart and Dr. Drew Brannon after UGA Football National Championship win.

Coach Kirby Smart and Dr. Drew Brannon following the National Championship game. | Photo provided by AMPLOS

Culture drives championship results. That’s the message of the latest podcast episode of The Growth Project by AMPLOS. Coach Kirby Smart, head football coach at the University of Georgia, and Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for UGA football, discuss the puzzle pieces that power Kirby’s remarkable leadership — which has led the Dawgs to consecutive National Championships.

Discover the evolution Kirby has undergone, the significance of nurturing a strong culture + team dynamic, and Kirby’s philosophy on football and life.*

Listen to the fascinating episode

News Notes

Number

7 mills. That’s the tax rate increase Greenville County Council agreed to at its second budget reading this week — reduced from the proposed 11 mills. The increase on millage rates (think: property taxes) would be our county’s first rate increase since 1993. Next step for the budget: Passing a third reading on Tuesday, June 20. (The Post and Courier Greenville)

Civic

Greenville City Manager John McDonough announced his resignation yesterday. After serving in the role since 2019, he is leaving to work for Greenville-based development company Centennial American Properties. John will officially leave his position on Friday, August 11. (Greenville Journal)

Traffic

Plan ahead for lane closures on I-85. Both north and southbound directions around mile marker 52 (between Woodruff and Pelham Roads) will be affected by emergency repair work to the highway’s drainage system. All lanes should be back open by tomorrow, June 9. (FOX Carolina)

Biz

Greenville’s first Black Economic Mobility Summit will be held Thursday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the convention center. Produced by Greenville’s Racial Equity and Economic Mobility Commission, the free event will cover topics including supporting young Black entrepreneurs, achieving home ownership, and managing investment portfolios. Get tickets. (Greenville Journal)

Civic

Travelers Rest is ending its recycling service on Friday, June 30. Fear not for your cans and plastics: An opt-in recycling program will begin instead for $12 a month. Sign up for bi-weekly recycling pickup starting the week of Sunday, July 2.

Festival

This Saturday, June 10, is the Greenville Summer Wine Festival, featuring 50+ wines plus mimosas, beers, and seltzers. Enjoy your beverage of choice alongside live music and food for sale at Fluor Field at the West End from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.*

Community

Today is Thursday, and you know what that means: Downtown Alive is happening tonight 5:30-8:30. Head to Main St. to enjoy a cold drink, live music, and local art on display in the Metropolitan Arts Council tent. Bonus: Admission is free.*

Drink

Struggle to drink enough water? (Same.) Hint fruit-infused water can change that — and new customers save 45%.*

Travel

The cool mountain breezes are calling. Beat the heat with a cool treat, daily breakfast, overnight valet or garage self-parking, and a special offer of 15% off the flexible rate at Asheville’s iconic The Omni Grove Park Inn. Book a Blue Ridge Mountain getaway.*

Shop

We’re excited to welcome Joseph Bradley, a Greenville-based artist, to our online store (Six & Main). This nationally award-winning artist owns a gallery and studio in the Art District, and his artwork is an expression and appreciation for his rural Southern upbringing. Shop now.

Biz

A new home for Radio Room

Radio Room is moving to Liberty Lane

A one-story building with glass front windows in an empty parking lot.

The current space at 28 Liberty Lane, Radio Room’s new home. | Photo via The Greenville Journal

You can still score seats (or try to) at a sold-out Radio Room show — you’ll just be doing it on the other side of town.

Radio Room is vacating its current space at 110 Poinsett Hwy. at the end of 2023. Its new home will be 28 Liberty Ln. off Laurens Road, which comes with 84,000 sqft — more than double that of the current venue.

Co-owner Wes Gilliam told the Greenville Journal about the decision to move. “Coupled with the need for better parking and more stage real estate than we have currently, we just knew it was time.”

The Radio Room’s co-owners plan to be just as hands-on at the new location as they were at the old, keeping the music venue’s feel intact.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Sarah Leonhardt

From the editor

Psst — Speaking of airports, make sure you’re in on one of the best travel tips of all time.

You can make a free account with Going, sign up for GMU alerts, and get emailed when departing flights are 40-90% off. Some crazy discounted trips I’ve considered: Costa Rica and Milan. I’m still waiting for that cheap Japan flight to roll in...

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