Greenville is asking residents to help shape what gets built on 10.7 acres of city-owned land along Church Street, just outside downtown and next door to the booming County Square redevelopment. A public meeting set for next Thursday, October 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Civic Design Center at 15 S. Main St. will let locals weigh in on everything from architecture style to color palette for the planned mixed-use, affordable housing project.
The city purchased the vacant parcel from Stone Family Properties LLC for $10.7 million in August 2024, according to Greenville Journal. It was the city's first direct land acquisition aimed at advancing goals laid out in its GVL2040 Comprehensive Plan, which prioritizes affordable housing, open space preservation, mobility, and economic development, as reported by Greenville Business Magazine. The site sits near both County Square and the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood, making it what city officials describe as a major gateway serving residents well beyond the immediate area, per the same outlet's report.
City Manager Shannon Lavrin said residents at next week's meeting will use dots on displays to indicate their preferences — whether they favor traditional or modern architecture and vibrant or calm color schemes. The city has selected Arcadis to develop a comprehensive land development plan for the property, one meant to reflect GVL2040 priorities while supporting long-term growth and neighborhood connectivity, the Business Magazine report notes.
A Major Site Next to a Billion-Dollar Neighbor
The Church Street parcel is positioned for redevelopment following adoption of the Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Plan and a city council process to update zoning for the corridor, the Business Magazine report states. Greenville City Council unanimously adopted the updated neighborhood plan on Sept. 23, 2024, replacing a 2002 master plan with new priorities around affordable housing, pedestrian safety, and neighborhood character, according to the City of Greenville, in a process shaped by a 12-member committee of local residents and business owners. A final council reading on the proposed zoning changes was scheduled for Dec. 8, 2025.
Looming just beyond the Church Street site is the $1 billion County Square redevelopment, a 37-acre mixed-use project along University Ridge that is converting former county administrative land into an upscale West End hub. The project includes 3.5 million square feet of planned commercial and residential space and a flagship Whole Foods Market, according to the Hurry Home Team. Nearby areas are seeing demand and appreciation, alongside affordable-housing initiatives.
City Plans to Sell the Land — With Strings Attached
Once Arcadis finishes the development plan, which the city anticipates completing in early 2027, Greenville intends to sell the Church Street property to a private developer, per the Business Magazine's reporting. That developer will be required to implement the community-driven vision that emerges from meetings like next week's, with the finished project expected to include diverse housing options, retail, restaurants, green spaces, and community amenities.
The city bought the land and is developing a plan before selling it to a private developer. Greenville's development code provides a framework for redevelopment along the corridor.
Why the Affordability Push Matters Locally
The stakes are significant for Greenville's broader housing math. The city's GVL2040 plan sets a goal for at least 10% of new housing to be income-restricted affordable housing, according to the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority. Affordable housing is also a priority in the city's GVL2040 plan.
Greenville is advancing plans for the Church Street site as part of its affordable-housing efforts.
. The updated Haynie-Sirrine plan also identifies the Springer Street Tunnel under Church Street as a potential connection between the Haynie and Sirrine sections of the neighborhood, per Greenville Journal.
City officials are encouraging broad community participation in next Thursday's session, framing the Church Street site as a gateway property that will shape the look and feel of the corridor for residents across Greenville, not just those living nearby. With the development plan targeted for completion in early 2027, questions remain about exactly how many units will be set aside as income-restricted and what subsidies or incentives will be needed to keep them affordable for families earning below 80% of area median income.
