Spartanburg City News

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Carolina Panthers training camp returns to Spartanburg, July 31 Jul 21, 2015

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For the 21st consecutive year, the Carolina Panthers are set to bring their training camp to Wofford College in Spartanburg. Starting July 31 with the Lowe's Kickoff Party getting things started at 4:30 p.m. 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 14 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 to learn more about this year's camp.

Mapping downtown progress with SeeSpartanburgRise.com Jun 29, 2015

Show notes

Last week we launched our latest web tool, SeeSpartanburgRise.com, a new way to literally map the progress that continues in downtown Spartanburg. On the site, users are presented with a map showing downtown and a timeline. As users move through the timeline, pins appear in the map, highlighting parcels that have received significant investment each year. Click on one of those pins and information the property appears including capital investment, a short description, and whether the project was a renovation or new construction. Along with serving as a primer for those who may not be familiar with developments in our recent past (and as a reminder for longtime residents who might've forgotten how far we've come) SeeSpartanburgRise.com is a way to visually compile investments made in our downtown, providing an idea about where downtown is headed that's based on the reality of where it is today. Today on the podcast, we're talking about some of the thinking behind this latest tool we've added to the box. Why is it important? What can we glean from the data available on the site now, and how will that data be useful in the future?

Podcast: New hotel to change skyline in Downtown Spartanburg Jun 16, 2015

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"When will we hear more details about the new hotel?" That's been one of the most frequently asked questions around town since City Council approved a development agreement in February to bring a new hotel to W Main Street in Downtown Spartanburg. Yesterday, Spartanburg-based OTO Development answered that question, and wowed a standing-room-only crowd at Indigo Hall in the process. Details about the planned AC Hotel by Marriott show a project that is as impressive as it is ambitious. Investing more than $20 million in the project, OTO revealed that the hotel will tower 10 stories over downtown's western end, and will feature 110-120 guest rooms, a rooftop bar with an outdoor terrace, a signature restaurant, around 2000 sq.ft. of meeting space and an outdoor pool. The hotel will also feature an elegant "grand hotel" design that emulates the existing character of downtown. Today on the podcast, we're talking about the new hotel project, taking a look at the larger implications for the area around its future location and what the estimated 30,000 annual visitors it attacts will mean for downtown as a whole.

H & K Gallery set to open in Downtown Spartanburg May 18, 2015

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Another business is set to open its doors in downtown Spartanburg as H & K Gallery is putting the finishing touches on its space at 151 W Main St. in Downtown Spartanburg for a grand opening on Thursday, May 21. The beautifully renovated space will feature one of the largest selections of Southern fine art pieces you're likely to find anywhere, and figures to be a prominent stop on Downtown Spartanburg's monthly art walk. Today on the podcast, we're talking with H & K Gallery owner, Susan Kunkler about her business, and what she hopes it will add to the growing vibrancy of Downtown Spartanburg.

Bike Month events and an update on trails with Ned Barrett of Partners for Active Living May 14, 2015

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May is National Bike Month, celebrated in cities around the country including right here in Spartanburg. Events like "Bike to Jazz on the Square" on Friday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m., with valet parking and giveaways for cyclists who ride to the event, and a "Ride of Silence," a family friendly ride promoting bicycle safety on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. Today on the podcast we're talking with Ned Barrett of Partners for Active Living about some of these great events. Along the way, we get an update on PAL's work to both establish new trails in Spartanburg as well as connect those trails to existing ones in our community.

Taking a look at the East Main streetscaping project May 13, 2015

Show notes

Some big changes are in the works for E Main St. in Downtown Spartanburg, as a streetscaping project approved recently by City Council is set to get underway early next month. The project is part of a $2.3 million streetscaping plan passed by Council in 2013, and includes straightening the chicanes on E Main Street between Church and Liberty streets. The plan also will eliminate the existing alternating diagonal parking spaces, adding new larger tree islands between sections of parallel parking to improve pedestrian movement. Several new parking spaces are to be added with the new streetscaping. Coming on the heels of the streetscaping plan's first enhancement project on Wall St. the E Main St. plan is designed to improve the area's pedestrian experience, helping to drive more foot traffic to existing businesses as well as beautifying the area to encourage further development. Today on the podcast, we take a deeper look at the E Main project, and discuss future improvements in the works, including a plan to improve Magnolia St. and the long-awaited extension of the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail to St John St.

'The Latest Thing in Spartanburg' celebrates all things local May 08, 2015

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With new murals adorning the walls of downtown businesses, sold-out performances at venues throughout the city, and seemingly more artists, musicians, and writers than ever before, it's pretty easy to see that Spartanburg's creative energy is on the rise lately. In fact, there's so much happening these days that it can be tough to keep track of it all. Thanks to some of those supremely talented locals, now there's a way to keep up with the latest goings-on around town...provided you can keep from falling out of your chair laughing. "The Latest Thing in Spartanburg with Tim Giles" is a live late-night talk show meant to celebrate (and poke a little fun at) all things local. After a sold-out first show last month that had the audience reeling with laughter, the team behind the show is gearing up for the next episode to be held at Hub-Bub's Showroom, May 9 at 9 p.m. Today on the podcast, we're talking with host Tim Giles and the show's co-creator Eric Kocher. Get your tickets for the show by following this link. Trust us, you don't want to miss.

Hub City Writers Project to hold 20th anniversary celebration, May 8–10 Apr 29, 2015

Show notes

It's been 20 years since three Spartanburg writers came together in a Downtown Spartanburg coffeeshop to dream up what would eventually become Hub City Writers Project. What started as something HCWP Executive Director Betsy Teter calls a "one season lark" has since grown into a nationally acclaimed independent publisher about to release its 70th title, and to celebrate their 20 years of outstanding place-based literary leadership in Spartanburg, the group has planned a weekend-long "Homecoming Extravaganza," May 8–10. On today's podcast, we're spending some time talking with Teter to get the details on the weekend's festivities and also taking a deeper look at HCWP, from its history and current place in Downtown Spartanburg's cultural landscape, to the organization's future as a growing regional publishing icon.

Hub City Hog Fest returns to Downtown Spartanburg, April 17–18 Apr 14, 2015

Show notes

The smell of delicious barbecue will be wafting through the air of Downtown Spartanburg again this weekend as Hub City Hog Fest returns for its third year. Featuring live music on Friday and Saturday, culminating with a performance from Grammy nominated bluegrass greats, The SteelDrivers headlining the show on Saturday night, the Hog Fest will also have food trucks on hand Friday, starting at 12 p.m. RJ Rockers will be there to ensure that plenty of local craft beer is available, and with food vendors, a chicken wing contest, and a homebrew contest to go along with the "main event" ribs and pulled pork contests, you can bet there will be no shortage of great opportunities to satiate your appetite and your thirst. The event will culminate a fantastic week of local events with bluegrass duo Billy Strings & Don Julin performing a free show on Morgan Square on Wednesday, followed by Music on Main on Thursday and Jazz on the Square on Friday. This is one weekend in Downtown Spartanburg that you definitely don't want to miss!

Hub City Farmers Market to kick off new season at Harvest Park, March 28 Mar 19, 2015

Show notes

Late last year, one of the most anticipated developments in recent memory opened on the Northside. Harvest Park, the first project completed as part of the Northside Initiative, today provides Northside residents with access to fresh, locally grown foods through both Hub City Farmers' Market and through the Butterfly Foundation's Monarch Café, something crucial in an area of the city classified as a food desert, with a convenience store formerly serving as the only place in the neighborhood for food. Now entering their first full season at Harvest Park, Hub City Farmers' Market has some plans to take their new home, and their organization to the next level, starting with their first opening day in the new space on March 28. Today on the podcast, we're talking with their executive director, Brendan Buttimer to get the lowdown on what we can expect this year from Spartanburg's favorite source for locally produced food.

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