SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Spartanburg city leaders presented a proposed redesign of Morgan Square to City Council on Monday night, a plan that would make the downtown square larger and greener.
The proposal would realign Dunbar Street to make the square larger, with more trees and more pedestrian space. With the straightening of Dunbar Street, the square would grow by about 30 percent, to 32,500 square feet of public space, with room for 25,000 people during large events.
Plans include an interactive fountain, a small stage and a designated outdoor dining area. The design calls for 79 trees instead of the current 54, and the surface would use brick and granite pavers. Public restrooms would be located in a downtown office the city plans to lease for its downtown staff.
City Manager Chris Story said the redesign would cost around $18 million, funded by a hospitality tax bond. The new plan was produced by Virginia-based Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, hired by OneSpartanburg after earlier versions released in December 2023 and December 2024 did not win over council.
The proposal is scheduled for its first reading on Oct. 26.
