Dear Neighbors and Friends,
It is my hope that this Update will provide you useful information about your City and community. If you have any questions or comments, you may contact me at jdeworken@greenvillesc.gov or on my cell phone at 864.905.5529.
Summer Memories
Sunnie and I hope that you are taking time this summer to make great memories with family and friends. Our oldest, Hatch, who just turned 3, caught his first fish this summer! However, he was very suspicious of the “fish with the whiskers.” Townsend, our youngest who turned 1 in June, took his first steps this past week. Since he may be the fastest crawler on the planet, it may be a while until he picks it up for good.
Roundabouts Slowing Cars Down on Chick Springs
In an effort to slow cars down on Chick Springs Road and for our children to more safely travel between North Main and Stone Lake neighborhoods, and to the pool, the City is implementing roundabouts at the intersections of Twin Lake Road and Northwood Ave. The roundabout at Twin Lake is about done (pictured below) and work should begin shortly at the Northwood Avenue intersection.
North Main Rotary Park Getting Some TLC
Although this park is a real gem of the neighborhood, it has been in subpar shape for some time now. Sparing you the details of disrepair, we pulled in City staff, community leaders, and experts to take a deep dive to assess the park. As a result, staff has done a good job sprucing up the park. I hope you’ve noticed. But, more importantly, we are in the process of putting together a plan to improve it even more and to do it with regularity.
Saying that, I welcome your input and thoughts on improvements you’d like to see (email me at jdeworken@greenvillesc.gov).
City leadership, community leaders and I met this month to chart a path forward to provide the neighborhood with a park with which we all would be proud.
North Main Rotary Park Volunteer Day Scheduled
The Greenville Rotary Club and the North Main Community Association have scheduled a North Main Rotary Park volunteer day for August 29th. Shift sign-ups are available HERE.
Pedestrian Safety Improving on Stone Avenue
The repaving of Stone Avenue is commencing over the next several weeks. As a result, SCDOT and City staff are taking this time to improve pedestrian crossings along the corridor, including the Stone Avenue and North Main Street intersection. In fact, as you see below, pedestrian crossing striping will be greatly improved; and, new bike lanes will be created, which will all make for a safer intersection for walkers, cyclists and drivers.
Downtown Large-Scale Mural In Progress
Award-winning Australian artist Guido van Helten is creating a photorealistic mural on the façade of the eight-story building located at 301 College Street. Watch out for it to be revealed over the next few weeks. For more information, click HERE.
Important City Initiatives Underway
Citizens Advisory Committee on Public Safety continues its work in the areas of “Use of Force,” body worn cameras and reviewing the Public Safety Citizens Review Board. The Committee will provide Council and staff a full report in the coming weeks. The Infill Task Force also is working long hours to provide recommendations to Council on its findings related to infill and neighborhoods. And, Council should hear from staff regarding its recommendations on how to improve to the City’s Tree Ordinance. Council intends to significantly strengthen the tree ordinance to try to achieve no net loss in canopy.
South Downtown Master Plan Continues
To see the latest information about the area located between Augusta Street and Church Street, which is south of County Square, click HERE.
Be Informed and Prepared About Emergencies
The City of Greenville has launched a new communication tool called CodeRED to keep you informed and prepared for any emergencies that may occur in our community. To review or add your emergency contact information, click HERE and click on the CodeRED logo and enter your information.
Census Workers Begin Home Visits
This week, Census workers will begin visiting homes in our area that have not responded to the 2020 Census. If someone visits your home to collect information for the Census, please check to make sure they have a valid ID badge that includes their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date. Or, you can complete form online HERE.
Register for Upstate Forever’s Citizens Planning Academy
This event is designed to appeal to a lunch-and-learn audience eager to better understand what comprehensive plans like GVL2040 can and CAN’T do, how comp plans actually get implemented and much more about the city’s land use decision-making processes. Click HERE to learn more about the fall academy. Registration closes Sunday, August 30.
Thank You
From my family to yours, thank you for all you do for Greenville. I truly believe that it is the amazing people who make this a wonderful community.
John