News Summary
Starting this fall, Downtown Spartanburg will permanently lose approximately 275 parking spaces due to ongoing construction as part of ‘Project Core.’ While city officials plan to offer additional parking in nearby garages, community members express concerns about the convenience of surface lots. This initiative also includes the development of a new government complex and the redevelopment of several key downtown areas, aiming for urban revitalization despite pushback from local businesses.
Spartanburg – Downtown Spartanburg will see a significant reduction in available parking spaces starting this fall, with approximately 275 spaces being permanently removed as part of ongoing construction projects. The affected areas include city streets and open-air parking lots, colloquially known as “surface lots.”
City officials have stated that although these surface lots will not be replaced, additional parking options will be made available in nearby parking garages. The transition to garages may face initial pushback, as many residents and visitors tend to prefer surface lots due to their convenience.
This construction initiative is part of a broader development effort termed Project Core, spearheaded by the Johnson Group. Project Core aims to revitalize downtown and includes plans for a hotel, office buildings, retail spaces, and apartments on the block where the former Herald-Journal building was situated. The new hotel and office complex will take over this block, with an adjacent parking lot being repurposed for additional construction.
Adding to these changes, a new government complex, which is set to begin construction in October, will cover a vast area along West Broad Street from Church to Spring streets. This government complex is part of a wider initiative funded by a penny sales tax approved by voters in 2017, which is intended to support a new courthouse that commenced operations in 2024. This development will result in the loss of around 140 parking spaces previously available in a lot serving the old city hall.
Efforts to ease potential disruptions caused by the construction are underway, according to the city manager. Strategies presented at the recent city council meeting include enhancing public communication regarding the availability of garage parking and potentially introducing shuttle services to help visitors navigate construction zones, especially when sidewalks are impacted.
In light of these changes, city council members have decided to postpone the redevelopment plans for Morgan Square to minimize additional disruptions in downtown areas during the ongoing construction. Many local merchants have raised concerns that the reduction in parking spaces could adversely affect their businesses and staff.
City leaders believe that the parking garages associated with Project Core and the new government complex will eventually compensate for the loss of surface lots. However, public sentiment indicates a strong preference for the convenience of surface lots, an aspect that has been highlighted in a parking study conducted in 2020. This study presented by an expert emphasized that parking convenience significantly impacts business performance and that many Americans feel a right to accessible parking.
To promote the new parking garages, Spartanburg plans to enhance their image by highlighting their advantages, such as providing shade during hot weather, which could make them more appealing to users. Other cities, like Greenville, have successfully integrated parking garages into their urban infrastructure by creating safe and inviting environments.
The ongoing development in Spartanburg includes not only the $542 million Project Core, which will feature a minor league baseball stadium, a city-county government complex, and an updated design for Morgan Square, but also plans for a new planetarium at the local library. With an estimated $611.3 million in development planned or in progress, Spartanburg is experiencing substantial growth, indicating a strong push toward urban renewal and modernization.
As construction progresses and the city undergoes these changes, officials are working diligently to manage the transition and assure the public that the new developments will pave the way for a revitalized downtown experience in Spartanburg.
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Additional Resources
- GoUpstate: Street Parking Issues in Spartanburg
- Fox Carolina: New Developments in Downtown Spartanburg
- Post and Courier: Downtown Spartanburg Development Plans
- Baseball America: Spartanburg’s Fifth Third Park
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Google Search: Spartanburg development
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
