At its November 9 meeting, the Greenville City Council approved an $850,000 purchase of the former Greenville Cultural Exchange Center located at 700 Arlington Avenue in the Sterling neighborhood. The building, a two‑story historic structure, was founded in 1987 by the late Ruth Ann Butler as an African‑American history museum and community archive.
Funding Sources and Allocation
The council authorized the first reading of an ordinance to appropriate $579,500 from state funding and $70,500 from the city’s local accommodations tax. The remaining $200,000 will be drawn from the district dividend funds contributed by Councilmembers Lillian Brock Flemming and Ken Gibson.
Preserving a Community Landmark
Jordon Construction Co., operating under a separate limited‑liability company, owns the 0.29‑acre parcel. The Greenville‑based firm completed renovations to the historic building in May, positioning it for continued community and cultural use. Council members emphasized that the acquisition protects a key cultural landmark and expands options for local events, exhibitions and educational programs.
Related Development in the TIF District
In 2024, Greenville created a 223‑acre tax‑increment financing (TIF) district along Laurens Road to spur redevelopment. Verdae Development has broken ground on the Bolden Street District, a billion‑dollar mixed‑use project that will include public infrastructure and affordable housing. The city plans to issue bonds, repaid with future property‑tax revenues generated within the TIF district, to support these improvements.
City Council also gave initial approval to a public‑infrastructure agreement with Verdae Development, establishing a framework for the developer to deliver infrastructure, affordable housing and other projects. Future phase agreements will detail specific projects and payment schedules.
Municipal Sales Tax Referendum
The council certified the results of the November 3 municipal sales‑tax referendum, which passed with 66.6% approval. The new 1% tax, effective May 1, 2027, will add one cent per dollar on eligible purchases, exempting most groceries, prescription medicines and gasoline. The city projects roughly $56 million in annual revenue, earmarked for capital‑improvement projects and property‑tax credits for owner‑occupied homes.
Greenville City Manager Shannon Lavrin said the city expects its first quarterly disbursement from the South Carolina Department of Revenue in July or August. Staff will spend the next several months drafting an implementation plan, including program structure, staffing, a separate financial system and the first tier of infrastructure projects, with construction slated for fall 2027.
Infill Lot Width Standards and Annexations
The council directed staff to develop new infill lot‑width standards for the RH‑A, RH‑B and RH‑C zoning districts, responding to resident concerns about recent infill subdivisions. The Planning Commission will review the proposed amendments at its December 3 meeting, with a first‑reading council vote scheduled for December 14.
Additionally, the council approved the first reading of five annexation applications, including a site for affordable housing owned by the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority. Approximately 6.12 acres on North 6th Street near Woodside Mill and 6.63 acres of adjacent right‑of‑way would be annexed into the city and zoned Community 2 (RC‑2).
Looking Ahead
City staff will continue studying infill development issues, with findings and further text amendments to be presented to the Planning Commission and council in summer 2027. These actions reflect Greenville’s broader strategy to preserve its historic assets while fostering responsible growth and affordable housing for families across the city.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
