Greenville has always been ahead of its time. Downtown revitalization and mixed-use communities started decades before the rest of the country caught on to the idea. Now the region is expanding even more, and the city is looking ahead to issues of environment and public transportation.
Living in Greenville
Greenville is located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The greater metropolitan area is often referred to as 'The Upstate,' and includes several nearby cities such as Spartanburg and Clemson.
As the largest city in the region, Greenville was the center of retail activity for the first half of the 20th century. Then, as suburban malls and shopping plazas gained popularity in the 1960s and 70s, downtown locations sat empty.
The city of Greenville began an aggressive revitalization program. The streets were narrowed and the walkways were widened to make the downtown area pedestrian friendly. The picturesque, historic buildings were renovated and opened up for mixed use of stores, restaurants, offices, and residences. Greenville became the model for smaller cities in the region hoping to draw residents back in from the suburbs.
In the last ten years over $160 million in new residential construction has taken place. Another $100 million has been spent in renovations, adapting older buildings for modern living. Like many cities, Greenville is experiencing a huge demand for inner city housing, but unlike many cities, Greenville is already prepared to meet the demand.
Greenville in the Future
As the metropolitan area continues to grow, traffic congestion and environmental issues are a primary concern. Greenville has dozens of parks including many cycling and walking trails, and was recently named 'the best walking city in the south.' A new trail system is under construction that will allow bicycle access throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.
Public transportation is offered throughout the metro area. The bus system was recently overhauled to make it more 'green.' All city buses now run on eco-friendly biodiesel fuel and are equipped with bicycle racks, encouraging residents to consider alternatives to driving.