The city of Greenville has a new plan for the future of City Hall, one that includes constructing an entirely new building in the same location.
Greenville Mayor Knox White said the city’s current headquarters at 206 S. Main St. will be demolished to make room for a new mixed-use building. The city plans to retain ownership of five to six floors – approximately 63,050 square feet – to use as City Hall, with the city’s council chambers on the first floor.
The project will be completed through a public-private partnership. Greenville City Council unanimously approved a non-binding Letter of Intent with M Peters Group for the sale and redevelopment of City Hall on Sept. 23.
According to the city, a formal development agreement will come at a later date. White explained they hope to complete the new building in two and a half to three years and the city plans to invest $10 million in the project. Renderings have yet to be created for the new City Hall.
Old vs. new
M Peters Group was chosen by the city and NAI Earle Furman to redevelop City Hall in March 2023. Original plans had the Greenville-based developer up fitting the existing 10-story building originally constructed in 1972. White said M Peters Group concluded that it would cost “significantly less” if the building was torn down and rebuilt.
Several of the city’s departments including the management and budget department are currently moving to the new Public Safety Complex on Halton Road. Therefore, the city will not need as much space within the new building, allowing for residential and commercial uses to be added.
“We need more open, flexible, decent space for employees to work in and find inspiration and creativity – all the good things you want in a workspace,” White said.
Last year, the city explored relocating City Hall to the Bowater Building at 55 E. Camperdown Way. The city hoped to acquire and renovate the first two floors of the office building, a project expected to cost approximately $14 million to complete.
Plans changed, however, when the 2.4-acre property was put on the market in October 2023. According to CBRE, the Bowater Building property is under contract to be purchased by a buyer who is currently confidential.
Even though plans to relocate City Hall fell through, White said it was always the dream to keep City Hall on Main Street. The city’s headquarters have been located at 206 S. Main St. since the 1930s.
“We want this to be a truly beautiful building and a signature building for downtown,” White said.
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