News Summary
The Spartanburg City Council has postponed the redevelopment of Morgan Square due to upcoming construction projects in downtown Spartanburg. City Manager Chris Story recommended delaying the project until at least the end of 2025 to avoid disruptions to local businesses. Key features of the planned enhancements include improved public spaces, permanent pedestrianization, and an enlarged performance lawn. Concerns about simultaneous construction projects were raised, highlighting the need to manage construction impacts on local access and business operations.
Spartanburg – The Spartanburg City Council has postponed the redevelopment of Morgan Square following its meeting on July 14, 2025. City Manager Chris Story made the recommendation to delay the project until at least the end of 2025, attributing the decision to several upcoming construction projects in downtown Spartanburg. These developments include Project Core from the Johnson Group, which will introduce a hotel, office building, and apartments to the area.
The impact of these projects will also affect surface parking availability, as construction on Broad and West Main Streets is set to eliminate approximately 275 parking spaces, which may further complicate access to local businesses.
Details of the Morgan Square Redevelopment
The planned enhancements for Morgan Square aim to improve public spaces and accessibility within the downtown area. Some of the key features include:
- Permanent pedestrianization of sections of West Main and Dunbar Streets around the square.
- Raising these streets to curb level for safer pedestrian movement.
- An enlarged performance lawn at the eastern end of Morgan Square, which will feature:
- Public restrooms for visitors.
- A staffed visitor kiosk for information and assistance.
- Adaptive seating options, including lounging terraces, movable furniture, and bench swings.
- A designated outdoor dining zone for local restaurants situated adjacent to the square.
Concerns Regarding Disruptions
During the meeting, City Manager Story highlighted that commencing the Morgan Square project prematurely might create excessive disruption for local businesses, affecting their operations from both the front and back entrances. Council member Jamie Fulmer expressed concerns over multiple simultaneous construction disruptions that could further harm local business viability. In contrast, Council member Erica Brown voiced her frustration regarding delays in the Morgan Square redesign, noting that discussions for the project have been ongoing since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background on the Morgan Square Redesign
The redesign of Morgan Square has been in the works since 2023 when a committee of local business owners and community leaders approved a plan aimed at revitalizing the area. As part of the construction plans, the downtown clock tower, currently located in a median on West Main Street, will be relocated to make way for streetscaping associated with the new hotel and mixed-use development. The clock tower, dating back to the late 1970s, features a historical clock from 1881 that has previously adorned the Spartanburg Opera House and the County Courthouse.
Historical Significance of the Clock Tower
The clock underwent refurbishment and modernization led by city officials and the Spartanburg Bicentennial Committee before being placed in its current tower. While no formal decisions regarding the clock tower were made at the recent council meeting, discussions have indicated a commitment to recognizing its historical importance. Council members proposed the potential creation of an exhibit within the planned downtown city-county joint government complex to celebrate the clock’s legacy.
Future Steps
City council members acknowledged the necessity to revisit the plans for both Morgan Square and the clock tower in upcoming meetings. There is also talk of incorporating a new clock within the designs of the future city-county complex, aiming to honor the original clock tower’s significance while integrating it into the evolving downtown landscape.
The delay in the Morgan Square redevelopment emphasizes the city’s goal to thoughtfully manage construction impacts while enhancing public spaces and preserving historical landmarks for future generations.
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Additional Resources
- Goupstate: Spartanburg City Council Considers Morgan Square Clock Tower Futures
- WYFF4: Future of Downtown Spartanburg Up for Consideration by Council Members
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Morgan Square Redesign
- Google Search: Spartanburg Morgan Square Redevelopment
- Construction Equipment Guide: Construction Nears for $15M Expansion of Morgan Square
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
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