News Summary
The redevelopment project of the former Pepsi bottling plant at 729 S. Church St. in Spartanburg has been halted due to community opposition and zoning issues. Initially intended to create a light manufacturing facility, the $20 million project faced pushback from residents concerned about its proximity to residential neighborhoods. The new owners, 729 VAD LLC and Atlas Management LLC, have not publicly disclosed their plans for the site after acquiring it for over $2 million. The city is now exploring alternative uses that align with community needs.
Spartanburg – The redevelopment of the former Pepsi bottling plant located at 729 S. Church St. has been officially scrapped due to significant community opposition and numerous delays. The property was sold for just over $2 million on May 8, 2025, and is now jointly owned by 729 VAD LLC and Atlas Management LLC. The city is currently unaware of the newly formed owners’ future plans for the site.
The abandoned Pepsi plant, which had been intended for transformation into a light manufacturing facility, faced years of community resistance. This included concerns about the suitability of a production facility near a residential neighborhood, as well as various zoning issues associated with the property. Originally, a $20 million project was proposed to convert the site into a facility for assembling luxury car interiors, which was expected to create approximately 100 jobs in the local area. However, these plans were met with considerable opposition from residents, prompting the Spartanburg City Council to reassess the development trajectory.
Previously, the property was obtained from Bottle Works South LLC by 729 VAD LLC, which was associated with the Grenville-based M Peters Group. The M Peters Group had initially been working on a larger $75 million project intended for East Main Street, but current developments regarding associated properties are now in doubt, with those properties being listed for approximately $8.95 million. The considerable financial and logistical complexities surrounding these projects have further heightened community concerns.
The scheduled demolition of the former Pepsi facility, aimed for the summer of 2024, has now been abandoned following the project’s cancellation. City Manager Chris Story confirmed that the city has not been informed of any prospective plans from the new owners, effectively leaving the future of the site uncertain.
Several factors contributed to the community’s resistance to the redevelopment project. Zoning issues complicated matters, as the site is classified for general business use, which does not typically permit industrial operations near residential areas. Local historian Phillip Stone underscored that the ambitious plan for a manufacturing facility was misaligned with existing zoning regulations. Advocate groups voiced worries about environmental implications, especially considering the site’s historical use, along with social concerns such as potential rent increases, contamination risks, and the strain on local infrastructure and traffic patterns.
In light of this development, community advocate Toni Sutton expressed a hopeful vision for alternative uses of the site, emphasizing a focus on community needs such as incubator spaces or recreational gyms. Opportunities for new discussions regarding the site’s future are now possible following the nullification of the previous agreement between the city and the developers.
Concurrently, the M Peters Group has entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Contract with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. This agreement obligates the company to conduct extensive soil and groundwater tests to address environmental concerns related to the property’s history. Residents have been encouraged to participate in this process, with public comments on the cleanup contract being accepted until May 17, 2025.
As residents of Spartanburg reflect on the decision to halt redevelopment plans, there is a prevailing call for alternative development routes that prioritize the interests of the community. The outcome of this redevelopment saga not only points to previous project misalignments but also highlights the significance of community engagement in local development initiatives.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Southside former Pepsi plant sells
- GoUpstate: Spartanburg Pepsi South Side plans site jobs manufacturer
- Kidding Around Greenville: Pepsi Birthday Party Pack
- Post and Courier: Layoffs in Greenville SC CEF Solutions warn notice
- GoUpstate: Spartanburg City Council approves Pepsi plant development
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Google Search: Pepsi plant Spartanburg
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Google News: Spartanburg Pepsi plant
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
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