Major Revival Coming to Downtown Spartanburg with $800 Million Development Projects
A major, transformational change is heading to South Carolina’s Downtown Spartanburg with almost $800 million in recent development project announcements. This revamp, focusing on a few square blocks, isn’t just about shiny new buildings; these significant developments aim to spur city revival.
The Stellar Planetarium Project
First off, a spectacular $14 million planetarium construction is underway at the prime corner of Broad and South Church streets. Neighbouring the Spartanburg County Public Libraries headquarters, this project will showcase a 50-foot dome — touted to be the largest in the Upstate. This landmark will be the pinnacle of a 10,000-square-foot building featuring traditional planetarium shows or movie screenings on a 10-degree tilting screen.
But it’s not just about astronomical displays. A Foucalt pendulum will stand as a significant attraction in the lobby, celebrating French physicist Leon Foucault’s ground-breaking 19th-century experiment demonstrating Earth’s rotation. The first floor will host this fantastic showcase alongside space for classrooms.
On the second floor, you’ll find the Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab – a tribute to the hometown hero and Carver High School graduate famous for designing the first Black Barbie. The third floor will be used for additional library offices, creating more space for programming in the Headquarters Library. Todd Stephens, Spartanburg County Librarian, predicts a completion date for this grand venture by June 2025.
A Grand Slam for Spartanburg’s Urban Landscape with the New Baseball Stadium
Another landmark project providing a major leap forward for Spartanburg’s urban revitalization is the upcoming city’s baseball stadium. This new sports facility located near the intersection of South Daniel Morgan Avenue and West Broad Street is set to be the heart of a planned $425 million mixed-used development.
This magnificent venue, titled Fifth Third Park, will serve as the home ground for the city’s minor league baseball team, the Spartanburgers. This team, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, will kick off play in Spartanburg once the ballpark is wrapped up in April 2025.
Apart from being a sports arena, the project led by local firm, The Johnson Group, is set to gradually include approximately 200,000 square feet of office space, roughly 300 apartments, and a 150-room hotel. All these facets will cover more than four city blocks. The Ohio-based Fifth Third Bank will hold the naming rights for this new stadium as part of its broader expansion into the region, including a $15 million investment to launch several new branches locally.
Exciting Future with the New Joint City-County Government Complex
One of the important projects approved by local Spartanburg County voters under a capital projects penny sales tax increase in 2017 is a joint city-county government complex that promises to further enhance this flourishing location.
Keeping an eye on these developments, it’s clear that Spartanburg is set to become an even brighter star on South Carolina’s map. The city is bursting with anticipation as we all stand witness to its phenomenal transformation kickstarted by these landmark construction projects.
