Spartanburg City Gets Ready for a Transformative Redesign of Morgan Square and West Main Street
Hey there, folks! It’s been a bit drippy in good old Spartanburg City today, with light showers in the morning giving way to a day chock-full of grey clouds. But let’s not let the rain dampen our spirits. There’s some pretty exciting news concerning Morgan Square and West Main Street in Spartanburg that we can’t wait to share with you.
To kick things off, Morgan Square, the heart of Spartanburg downtown since the 1880s, is all set for a major transformation. Brace yourselves and say goodbye to Dunbar Street traffic as the newest plans are all about turning it into a vehicle-free zone and adding lots more of that beautiful green space to our downtown.
What’s in Store for the Redesign of Morgan Square?
The neighbourhood will remember how West Main Street and Morgan Square went traffic-free during the COVID crisis, opening up space for some outdoor social-distancing. Well, who knew it was going to become a fixture? Now, not only is it going to stay traffic-free, but Dunbar Street is slated to follow suit and go vehicle-less too, according to the proposed plan. The addition of lots of fresh greenery will create a welcoming space for everyone, whether they want to stroll, dine outside, or simply enjoy the changing seasons in the square.
The new plan, though not as expansive as the old one, includes key elements like two green terraces replacing the initial three, and a focused dining area lining the sidewalk. Visitor spots and public restrooms will also feature in the redesign. And guess what? Many of our beloved old trees will stay, with around 30 new ones replacing the older ones, bringing lavish greenery to Main Street’s dining area.
So, What’s the Timeline?
If all goes according to plan, the folks at the city council are aiming to break new ground by early 2025, with a goal to wrap everything up in time for you to enjoy your holiday season festivities in the new and improved Morgan Square. They are looking at a working estimate of 15 million dollars for the redesign.
More than Just a Pretty Facade
But wait, there is more to this plan than just a facelift! City spokesperson, Christopher George, shared delightful tidbits about their vision of creating a buzz of regular activity in the all-new Morgan Square. The aim is to smooth out the visitor footfall, with smaller consistent events rather than large scale ones that happen just once or twice a week. A games cart offering board and card games, ping pong and a collection of books to read are just a few ideas that they are toying with, to draw people to the square and have them spend more time there.
West Main Street and the Iconic Clock Tower
Simultaneously, on the other side of the Daniel Morgan monument, West Main is set to see some big changes too. The biggest one being the relocation of our iconic clock tower. But don’t worry, its new location is said to be consistent with the way it was incorporated into the community in the late 1800s. The current plan is to mesh the parts of West Main Street which are open to traffic with Morgan Square, creating a “great urban block” that could perfectly sync with the upcoming mixed-use baseball development.
So hang tight, everybody! Exciting times are ahead as we look forward to watching our neighborhood transform into something even better than it already is. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget your umbrellas on your way out today!
