Spartanburg City News

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What should Spartanburg learn from Chattanooga? Jul 27, 2016

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A few months ago, the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce released a community assessment report detailing the challenges and opportunities Spartanburg faces as our community evolves with the changing global economy. Underpinning that 48-page document, was a comparison between Spartanburg and several "peer communities." Among those is Chattanooga TN, a city that has become a poster-child for growth and smart development in our region. On the heels of the report, the Chamber organized a field trip to Chattanooga, inviting City and County leaders to join. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Spartanburg Chamber Board Chair Todd Horne about what Spartanburg can learn from Chattanooga...and maybe a little about what Chattanooga can learn from Spartanburg too.

Carolina Panthers return to Spartanburg for training camp Jul 22, 2016

Show notes

After a record-breaking 2015 that saw more than 70,000 people attend training camp, the Carolina Panthers, coming off their NFC Championship season, are set to return to Spartanburg on July 28. Getting things started for the team's stay in town, the Lowe's Kickoff Party will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford College. Events include the Mayor's Ball Run, on-field performances by the TopCats, Sir Purr, PurrCussion and Black & Blue Crew, face painting, food, and interactive games. As always, admission to the kickoff party and all Panther practices is free. Follow this link to view the full schedule for this year's training camp. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Riley Fields, Director of Community Relations for the team.

Oakview Apartments purchase marks major milestone for Northside Initiative Jul 13, 2016

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It has been a problematic area within the city's north side for years, and after City Council voted unanimously to approve $1.9 million to purchase Oakview Apartments for the future construction of a new Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center. The purchase marks the end of a long struggle to acquire the property from its owner, Related Companies, a New York-based real estate firm owned by multibillionaire and Miami Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross. The city condemned Oakview after attempts to purchase the property failed, and took possession in December, utilizing eminent domain. The purchase comes ahead of a civil trial that had been scheduled to begin July 18 to determine the property's value. Related had previously indicated it would not accept any offer below $2.4 million, the amount owed on its outstanding mortgage. The county assessor lists the property's value at $1.3 million. The City has already begun working with Spartanburg Housing Authority to relocate residents from the substandard units and will continue to do so until the apartments are empty. Once completed the apartments will be demolished to make way for the new community center. Today on the podcast, we're talking with City Community Services Director, Mitch Kennedy about the end of Oakview, what it means in the larger context of the Northside Initiative, and what next steps we can expect.

Plans for five-story mixed-use downtown development move forward Jul 08, 2016

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Yet another downtown construction project is ready to get underway after the City's Design Review Board voted 3-0 to approve plans for a five-story mixed-use development for the corner of W Main Street and Daniel Morgan Avenue. The building will bring 30 new apartment units as well as 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space to the prominent downtown corner. A development agreement for the building was previously approved by City Council in February, providing the city-owned property at no cost to local developer Royce Camp, after which the Design Review Board raised concerns about some aspects of the building's design at their meeting in March. Working together, the City Staff and the developer were able to address issues raised by the DRB, clearing the way for this week's approval. Today on the podcast, we're taking a deeper look at the development, the process of approving this important project, as well as what it could mean for the future of downtown's western end.

Magnolia Street improvements to support accelerating growth in downtown Spartanburg Jun 29, 2016

Show notes

Walking down the western side of Magnolia Street will be a lot less claustraphobic pretty soon, as our latest streetscaping project is underway between Dunbar and W Saint John streets. The Magnolia Street project is the third of the City's $2.3 million streetscaping plan, passed by Council in 2014. Designed to improve storefront visibility, create additional public space, and significantly improve the street's pedestrian experience. Plans call for replacing and widening the sidewalk, as well as constructing four "sidewalk patios," around 24 ft. wide and 42 ft. long, meant to serve as outdoor dining space. The project also includes changes to the street's landscaping, removing the existing trees located in the sidewalk, and replacing them with trees planted primarily around the patio spaces. No on-street parking will be lost as a result of the project. But that's far from the only thing happening in downtown Spartanburg this summer, with construction sites (and soon-to-be construction sites) seemingly around every corner. Today on the podcast, we're digging a little deeper on this streetscaping project, and taking a larger look at both public and private investment that has downtown Spartanburg buzzing in 2016.

Slide the City returns to downtown Spartanburg, Saturday, June 18 Jun 15, 2016

Show notes

Officially, summer hasn't actually arrived yet, but you'd have a hard time guessing that if you've spent anytime outdoors lately. Looking for a unique way to beat the heat this weekend? On Saturday, June 18 consider that heat beaten thanks to our friends at Hub-Bub. Slide the City, a one-day event offering the chance to slip and slide down a 1,000-foot section of Daniel Morgan Avenue in downtown Spartanburg, comes to town June 18, 10 a.m–6 p.m. Registration for the event is open now, so get your tickets now for what's sure to be the most fun way to get some hot weather weekend kicks in Spartanburg. Today on the podcast we're talking with William Gray and Eric Kocher of Hub-Bub about the event.

An overview of the fiscal year 2017 city budget Jun 08, 2016

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June is here, and in the world of local government that normally means one thing: budget time! At their most recent meeting, City Council gave first approval to the $37.2 million fiscal year 2017 budget, which includes no tax increases and includes a four percent projected increase in General Fund revenue, the largest growth rate since end of the recession. Still, even with positive signs for future growth, this FY 2017 is a "status quo budget" year according to City Management, with unavoidable spending increases including a 10 percent increase for the City Employee medical fund, $220,000 for building facilities maintenance, and around $114,000 for mandatory increases in the city's retirement contribution for employees. Additionally, a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise for City employees is included. Today on the podcast, we're diving deep on the fiscal year 2017 budget with Assistant City Manager Chris Story, getting the nuts and bolts as well as discussing what this year's budget says about the near-term future of our city and the direction we're headed.

Get a bird's eye view of Spartanburg this Saturday at the Downtown Memorial Airport Jun 01, 2016

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For many, the Downtown Memorial Airport is likely one of those rarely visited gems, something most locals know exists but may not know much about. Looking for a chance to take a look around one of Spartanburg's lessor-known amenities, and maybe get a view from above while you're at it? Then you definitely don't want to miss Airport Fair at Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport on June 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission and parking for the event are free. Airplane and helicopter rides around the city will be offered for $30, as well as rides on a military Huey or Cobra starting at $75. The event also will include a kids zone, a wide variety of food vendors, live music, and special attractions like the Flying Tigers Sport Parachute Demonstration Team of skydivers. Today on the podcast, we're talking with flight instructor Adam Lockamy of Pivotal Aviation about the event and about the Downtown Memorial Airport's importance to the Spartanburg community. Listen below for more.

Hub City Scoops ice cream shop coming to downtown Spartanburg May 25, 2016

Show notes

It's been three years since Kathy and Michael Silverman were announced as one of three winners of our first Main Street Challenge, helping to pave the way for what has since become a staple of downtown Spartanburg's eastern end, The Local Hiker.Having made that investment, and with a few years under their belts as successful downtown business owners, you wouldn't blame the couple for resting on their laurels a bit. Instead, they've decided that one downtown business just won't do. So they're opening a second one. Just down the block from The Local Hiker, the Silvermans next venture is getting off the ground, an ice cream shop called Hub City Scoops. Once ready the shop's 1,900-square-foot space at 147 East Main Street will become the first location in South Carolina to serve Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, a super-premium brand out of Madison, Wisconsin. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Michael and Kathy about the new business. Listen below for more.

Opportunities to get outdoors and get active abound in our 'Playful City' this summer May 18, 2016

Show notes

For the 10th consecutive year, Spartanburg has earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2016 Playful City USA community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children. The city is one of fewer than 20 cities and towns across the country to earn the distinction every year since the program was created in 2007. The recognition comes on the heels of $2.5 million in recently completed improvements and enhancements to neighborhood playgrounds and parks citywide, and the unveling last year of a new mobile play van. In addition, the City and partners such as the Mary Black Foundation and Partners for Active Living continue to work together to build new trails and provide other opportunities. Today on the podcast we're talking with City Parks & Recreation Superintendent, Kim Moultrie about Spartanburg's 10 years as a playful city and some of the opportunities to we'll be offering this year to get outdoors and get active.

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