From reimagining City Hall to expanding community spaces, the City of Greenville has big plans on deck for fiscal year 2026. City Manager Shannon Lavrin outlined these priorities in her “State of the City” address, presented to city council during a work session on Monday, May 12.
City Hall
After unveiling plans last fall to demolish the current City Hall, Lavrin announced that the city is no longer working with M Peters Group on the project. So, what’s next? A feasibility study is now underway, with the city looking to update the building’s exterior to better complement downtown’s skyline.
Other initiatives
Rapid fire, here are other forthcoming projects highlighted by the Greenville Journal:
Putting together a plan for the future of West Greenville
Hiring a planner to help shape what’s next for the Haynie-Sirrine property
Kicking off a downtown ambassador program in the fall
Giving the downtown design rules an update
Wrapping up the downtown transportation master plan
Getting to work on plans for Mayberry Street by Unity Park
“Back to the Future: The Musical” | Wednesday, May 14-Sunday, May 18 | Times vary | Peace Center | $55+ | Get in the DeLorean with Doc and Marty as they travel back in time and change the future.
Jorge Garcia | 8 p.m. | Blues Boulevard Jazz | $10 | This guitarist has performed with artists like Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli, and Enrique Iglesias + is known for his soulful original compositions.
Greenville Drive vs. Hub City Spartanburgers | 2:05 p.m. | Fluor Field | $8+ | Celebrate local business leaders and organizations during the only daytime, weekday game of the season — and don’t miss the pre-game networking event.*
Thursday, May 15
Open House | 3:30 p.m. | Greenville Technical College | Free | Learn about the programs offered and the enrollment process for the School of Engineering Technology and Professional Studies.
Therapy Thursday: After Hours | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | Group Therapy Pub & Playground | Free entry | This new weekly event features discounted games, late-night bites, and drink specials.
Friday, May 16
Pig in the Park | Friday, May 16-Saturday, May 17 | Times vary | 158 Spring Park, Williamston | $0+ | Indulge in barbecue bites, listen to live music, and enjoy family fun.
Brew in the Zoo | 6-10 p.m. | Greenville Zoo | $30+ | Sample an assortment of craft beer and food + visit the animals after hours.
Greenville Drive Blood Drive | 1 p.m. | District 356 at Fluor Field | Donate blood to score a limited-edition Greenville Drive jersey and two game tickets.*
Peg Leg Bates performing in December 1954. | Photo by Robert J. Boser
Did you know a tap dancing icon is from right here in Greenville County?
Yesterday was National Tap Dance Day, and I was excited to celebrate with a group “Shim Sham” dance + performances from local tap dancers at the SC Children’s Theatre (after plans for an event at Camperdown were rained out).
While there, I learned Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates is from right here in Greenville. I love learning new (to me) pieces of local history. He was born in Fountain Inn in 1907 and danced on the streets before losing a leg in a cotton gin accident.
He then taught himself to tap dance on a wooden leg and had a successful career, including performing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” at least 22 times + before the King and Queen of the United Kingdom in 1936 and 1938.
Want to join me in tap class? Scroll to The Wrap to find out how.
News Notes
News Notes
Sports
Shoeless Joe Jackson was reinstated by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred yesterday, making him eligible for the Hall of Fame. Manfred is changing the league’s policy on permanent ineligibility + bans will now expire at death. Under the Hall of Fame’s current rules, the earliest he could be inducted is 2028. (AP News)
Traffic
To enhance the downtown experience and reduce noise pollution, the City of Greenville will begin closing sections of Main Street at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and reopen them at 3 a.m. on Sundays. This “pilot closure” begins on May 24. Pro tip: Bookmark this page to track road closures in the city limits.
Announced
The City of Greenville also has a new website. As City Editors who spend a lot of time on this site, we find the new interface very user-friendly. Take a scroll through + send any feedback to the city.
Coming Soon
Barista Alley will open its third location in the former Kimbrell’s Furniture location on Liberty Lane late this year or early next year. It will be the first Greenville coffee shop for the Greer-based cafe + roastery.
Open
Delicious by GB&D is now open at The Commons. This is the first full-service restaurant for the food hall + features an ingredient-driven menu by Executive Chef Michael Bowens that spotlights locally sourced items and seasonal flavors. We got a sneak peek.
Number
39,392. That’s how many alcoholic beverages Clemson sold in its first three weeks of alcohol sales at athletic events. The school + its distributor, Aramark, will split a profit of $470,927. The sold-out Savannah Bananas game proved the most profitable, with 27,181 beverages sold, amounting to $346,684 in gross revenue. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Plan Ahead
Both the Gamecocks and the Tigers have big broadcasts to kick off next football season. According to college football insider Brett McMurphy, Clemson will host LSU at 7:30 p.m. on ABC on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Carolina will play Virginia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Trending
They’re baaaaaaa-ck. The City of Greenville has enlisted the help of 29 goats to clean weeds, invasive species, and poison oak from Cleveland Park. “Last year, they munched away 10.5 acres of vegetative material in hard-to-reach places like creek beds,” the city explained.
Pro Tip
We’re here to let you in on a little secret. The MAC ArtCard gives holders access to buy-one-get-one-free tickets to some of the best shows in town. Think: performances at the Peace Center, The Warehouse Theatre, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and more. Sign up.*
Wellness
Struggling to lose weight despite doing everything “right”? PHD Weight Loss uses your unique metabolic type to protect muscle, burn stubborn fat, and reset your system — no pills, no guilt. Get a free FDA‑cleared body scan and metabolic assessment today. Call or text (864) 644‑1900 and mention “PHDlife.”*
Travel
Breeze Airways is adding three new destinations from GSP International Airport beginning in May, including Fort Myers, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and White Plains, New York. Bonus: They’ve also added one-stop access to Portland, Maine. Book your flight.*
Put your business in front of thousands when you secure your spot in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide ahead of Father’s Day. For a limited time, save 20% with code PGG2025 at checkout.
Correction
We didn’t quite get the goal. Yesterday, we told you Greenville Liberty’s home opener was tomorrow, May 15. It’s actually tonight at 7 p.m. at Paladin Stadium. Get tickets.
Category
Trending
The Keith Lee tracker
Hibachi Papi in Clayton, NC is already feeling the Keith Lee effect. | Map via Proxi by GVLtoday
We told you that Lee shouted out Greenville among the cities where he might stop during his road trip, and you shared your picks for local spots worth stopping by. Reminder: He typically visits restaurants that are a bit off the beaten path and deserve more attention (think: mom-and-pop shops, food trucks, and other uniquely hyper-local establishments).
We’ve created an interactive map, tracking where Lee has stopped so far and where you think he needs to go (including lots of shout-outs for Asada, Comal 864, and Pita House).
It’s not too late to let us know where he should visit. Just click the button below.
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Thanks to the Upstate Tap Connection for organizing this National Tap Dance Day celebration.
A little-known fact about me: I do tap dance somewhat regularly. I drop in on Tuesday nights at Dance Arts Greenville for the adult tap classes. Plus, if you’re an experienced tapper, you can join Greenville Dance Company, which is an adult competition team. I competed last year.
I love how my teacher, Robyn, has created an inclusive environment for adults to pick up a new hobby, revisit an old passion, or just keep their tap skills sharp. See you in class?
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