Spartanburg City News

In 2024, City Council allocated $5 million of the City's federal ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) dollars to facilitate development of new affordable housing. The move served as both a recognition of an obvious need in our city, namely more quality housing that can serve Spartanburg's cost-burdened residents, and as a statement of our values. The City of Spartanburg doesn't just believe in the importance of affordable housing as a conceptual "nice to have," but as a priority worthy of nearly a third of all the ARPA funding our community received. What has that funding produced so far? Quite a lot. The $3.8 million distributed so far has been used to leverage more than $60 million in development either proposed or underway, representing around 200 units of affordable housing units for renters and homebuyers (reserved for residents with household incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income). How does all that work? What are the various housing types and projects that we've invested in? How have those ARPA funds been used to boost our usual affordable housing development efforts? Today on the podcast, we have Community Development Director Martin Livingston with us to share the details. For full specifics on how our ARPA affordable housing dollars have been spent so far, follow this link.

On this episode of the City Podcast, we're taking a peek behind the curtain of our marketing operations to talk about a campaign we put together last year in response to some big changes we knew were coming to the Downtown Spartanburg parking landscape. While it has been true for decades that the City's downtown parking garages have provided an affordable, convenient, and safe option for visitors and workers, several nearby surface lots meant that many folks may not have ever bothered using one. With over $800 million in new development set to take those lots offline at the same time it takes Downtown Spartanburg to the next level, our team knew we had to do some work helping to change some existing longtime parking behaviors. What we came up with was a broad-based information campaign, designed to highlight not only the garages, but to demonstrate all the ways our team has worked to make the transition to those garages as seamless as possible for our visitors, workers, and businesses.

On our last episode, we took a look back at the recent history of Downtown Spartanburg growth and development, examining the pivotal moments and projects that set the stage for the headline-grabbing, precedent-setting investments we're seeing take shape in our city's core today. But why is all that growth meaningful to city residents? How does the projected $1.77 billion economic impact our community will see actually translate into increased opportunities for Spartanburg's people? What makes our story deeper than a simple embrace of growth for its own sake? Today on the podcast, we get City Manager Chris Story's take on those questions. Along the way we revisit his decades of experience working in the downtown development space, getting a sense of how that work has changed over the years and what we can learn about where Downtown Spartanburg is headed based on where it has been. Also crashing the party for this conversation is former City Communications Manager, Will Rothschild. Serving from 2011 to 2017, Will provides context for how messaging downtown's growth and development helped shape today's landscape.

It's tough to miss the signs of dramatic change in Downtown Spartanburg these days. With $800 million of development underway on a handful of blocks west of Church Street, the landscape looks a lot different than it did a few years ago and the skyline will soon look much different than it does today. But how did we get here? What were the moments in Downtown Spartanburg's recent history that built momentum for the current record-breaking investment we're seeing today. Today on the podcast, we're looking back at that recent history to provide context for the changes underway in our city's core, from streetscaping projects that improved the pedestrian landscape, to historic redevelopment projects that breathed new life into long vacant icons.

When we first launched the Spartanburg City Podcast in 2012, things were a bit different in our city. Having recently emerged from the worst effects of the Great Recession, downtown's redevelopment was just starting to regain some its lost momentum, the Northside had only recently approved its transformation plan, and while work the leadership in City Hall was working diligently to move Spartanburg forward, the local landscape didn't provide the kinds of obvious signs of progress we all see today. Moreover, local media hadn't picked up on a turnaround that was too early in its evolution to bear much tangible fruit. The people in the trenches sensed what was coming, but getting people to pay attention was another matter. The City Podcast was part of our attempt to fill the information void in those days, telling the story of Spartanburg's transformation and talking with the people within local government and beyond who were making that transformation possible. We cast a wide net, discussing not just downtown and neighborhood redevelopment, but also history, arts and culture, the nonprofit community, health and wellness, trail development and active living, and just about anything else we felt wasn't getting the attention it might deserve. For years, that model was successful, and many episodes became reference points for residents looking for information about a specific local topic or development. Also over those years, we got some company in sharing the good news. Partnering organizations beefed up their own marketing, local media began to pick up the story of Spartanburg's rise, and what had been a kind of information vacuum was filled with the buzz around our city's trajectory and its bright future. Recognizing this, late last year we put the City Podcast on hiatus until we could commit the staff time and energy into figuring out a viable path forward for it, and now we think we've done that. Put plainly, we're taking the City podcast back to its information gap-filling roots, refocusing the show on local government specifically, doing deep dives on topics that are meant to equip listeners with the tools they need to become more engaged residents and participants in their community's future. For this first episode, we're exploring the basics of local government structure in the City of Spartanburg, looking at how the Council-Manager form of government works in South Carolina. We'll discuss how this structure functions, the responsibilities of City Council, the Mayor, and the City Manager, and what the advantages of this system are for you as a resident.

In 2014, Pastor Nannie Jefferies saw a need in Spartanburg that no other organization was filling. After visiting with and ministering to incarcerated relatives of her parishioners, Pastor Jefferies was struck by the lack of assistance and hope those women had once they were released. Many of the women were often left with no alternative but to return to the same environments that had led them down the path to incarceration in the first place, putting them at much higher risk of recidivism. Recognizing the need to offer a better solution, Pastor Jefferies founded Angels Charge, which has been working to provide that solution for recently incarcerated women in Spartanburg ever since. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Pastor Jefferies about the work Angels Charge does and the impact that work has on the women served and the larger community they call home.

It was a storm unlike any in living memory in Spartanburg, and while the damage our region experienced from Hurricane Helene far exceeded everyone's estimates, the City and the community came together to put us on the road to recovery. Today on the podcast, we're talking with City Manager Chris Story, Fire Chief Pierre Brewton, and Public Works Director Jay Squires about the City's response to Hurricane Helene and the road ahead for Spartanburg.

It was identified during the Duncan Park Revisioning Plan as a priority by a steering committee of nearby residents and stakeholders, and now for the first time in decades, Duncan Park Lake is open to non-motorized boating and catch and release fishing. The new change comes on the heels of other improvements recently made to the park, including removal of invasive species and trails improvements, also identified in the revisioning plan that was spearheaded by PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well in partnership with the City. Today on the podcast, we're talking with City Parks, Recreation, & Special Events Director Kim Brown and PAL Executive Director Laura Ringo about the process to open up the lake and what may be next for Duncan Park.

It's been almost four months since City Fire Chief Pierre Brewton returned home to Spartanburg to lead the department where he first honed his skills as a firefighter. Returning after serving for four years as Fire Chief for the City of Albemarle, NC, Chief Brewton began his career with the City of Spartanburg in 1988, assigned to garbage collection in the Public Works Department. In 1994, he successfully transitioned to the Spartanburg Fire Department, rising through the ranks to eventually serve as Assistant Fire Chief, the highest-ranking minority member in Spartanburg Fire Department history. Chief Brewton was born and raised in the Highland community in Spartanburg and is a proud graduate of Spartanburg High School, Limestone University, and Spartanburg Community College. He is credentialed through the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer and is a graduate of Texas A&M's Fire Service Chief Executive Fire Officer Program and the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Institute. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Chief Brewton about his experiences growing up and living in Spartanburg, his plans for the fire department he leads, and his reflections on the future of community he is dedicated to serving.

In a little more than two years, Hello Family—a unique collection of support systems for young children and their families—has gone from an idea to scale up and build capacity for early childhood services utilizing an innovative "pay for success" funding model to being hailed in Forbes as "the holy grail of success" for the organization's work to improve birth outcomes, increase school readiness, and enhance childhood health and well-being in Spartanburg. In fact, Hello Family's success has been so significant during those first two years, that now the organization is in the process of expanding countywide, having joined Spartanburg Academic Movement in late 2023 to build their organizational capacity. Today on the podcast, we're discussing the remarkable success Hello Family has seen so far and what that means for Spartanburg with Hello Family Director, Kaitlin Watts and Bryan Boroughs with the Institute of Child Success.

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions many of us will ever make, and getting started in that process can be daunting. So what do you do if you have questions about qualifying for a mortgage, downpayment assistance, where to find a realtor, or any of the other issues that may arise in finding a home for you and your family? Come to the Homebuyer Seminar & Expo at the Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center (650 Howard St.) on June 29, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.! Local experts in all of these areas and more will be available to walk you through the process and get you on the road to homeownership. Today on the podcast, we're talking with local realtor Lupe Rosales and Carolyn MacIntosh with First Citizens Bank about the event.

Today on the podcast we're discussing MySpartanburg, our new City app allowing residents to easily and conveniently report service requests directly from their smartphones. Available through the Apple App store and Google Play, the app lets those who live, work, and play in the City of Spartanburg report any non-emergency service requests and receive updates on requests as they are assigned to City staff and completed. The app enables users to upload photos, pulls location data from photos, and provides a wide variety of request categories that include Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Commercial Property, and more, so City staff can receive detailed information and lessen the need for calls, duplicate requests, and the uncertainty associated with making sure your service requests are received by the right staff.

Community Health Awareness Day returns to Spartanburg on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Carver Middle School (467 S. Church St.). This free community event offers an array of services, resources, entertainment, and activities in one convenient location. The event will kick off with a 5k health awareness walk at 7:45 AM with warm-up exercises. From 8:00 to 11:00 AM, attendees can participate in various health screenings, education sessions, listen to engaging speakers, enjoy line dancing, and access over 55 community resource vendors. There will also be activities designed specifically for kids and seniors. The event is a collaborative effort involving key community partners such as Live Healthy Spartanburg, the Greater Spartanburg Divine Nine, ReGenesis Healthcare, the City of Spartanburg, and the United Way of the Piedmont. Today on the podcast, we're talking with JaLisa Jordan, Program Manager at Live Healthy Spartanburg, and ReGenesis Healthcare Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jami Cokley about what participants can expect at this year's Community Health Awareness Day.

As part of ongoing efforts by the City and partnering organizations throughout the Spartanburg community, the Homeless Engagement and Response Team (H.E.A.R.T) program was launched in partnership with the United Way of the Piedmont in 2022 to provide direct outreach to people experiencing homelessness in Spartanburg and to assist in connecting those residents with available service providers. Responding to the ongoing challenges related to homelessness in our community and recognizing the increasing need for direct assistance for unsheltered residents, the H.E.A.R.T. provides a direct point-of-contact between those in need and the services that can make a difference in their lives. Today on the podcast, we're talking with members of the H.E.A.R.T. program and the leaders who coordinate their efforts.

Back in 2020, the City was fortunate to receive a Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant from the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of these funds is to remediate lead-based paint hazards and reduce other health hazards in the homes of families with children under the age of six and to safely improve the housing stock of older homes in the City of Spartanburg. Over the last four years, the program has turned out to be a great success story, creating a new pathway for improving the lives and health of vulnerable residents while also improving the city's existing housing stock. To date, 38 homes have either completed the program or are currently in the process of doing so. Today on the podcast, we're talking with the program's manager, David Maher about the program and the work the City's team is doing to create safer home environments for residents throughout our city. Listen below for more, and follow this link to learn more about how your home could potentially qualify for assistance with lead-based paint hazards.

With a redesign plan for Morgan Square poised to be taken up by City Council in the coming months, one question many may have is how the space can attract more visitors on a regular basis. Long a focal point for some of Downtown Spartanburg's most successful large events, the City's focus now turns to ways to increase Morgan Square's use as a daily communal gathering spot for less structured, smaller scale activity. In other words, what can the City do to ensure that the new Morgan Square is more than just a pretty space? Today on the podcast, we're talking with Dan Biederman of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (BRV) about exactly that. Working concurrently with the process that created Morgan Square's new design, the team at BRV recently completed a programing plan for the space focused on establishing a daily hum of activity and ensuring that Spartanburg's most prominent public space can reach its full potential, connecting residents and visitors with the square more routinely and boosting foot traffic for the entire downtown footprint. A renowned expert on programming public spaces, Dan Biederman's work includes the dramatic turnaround of Bryant Park in New York, which in the 70s and 80s was the city's most dangerous park. Today, Bryant Park is an international model of urban revitalization and is among the most actively used parks in the world. Thanks to the work of BRV, the model pioneered there has since become a template for creating successful programming models for public spaces throughout the country.

First opening its doors in April of 1961, Spartanburg City Hall will soon be no more, making way for the construction of a new joint municipal government facility to be shared by the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County. As the City says its final farewells to the current City Hall—likely the last building to ever carry the name—Dr. Phillip Stone, Archivist at Wofford College and Brad Steinecke, Assistant Director of Local History at Spartanburg County Public Libraries join us to discuss the history of that building and the various facilities the City of Spartanburg has used to do the local public's business over the years.

On the heels of the recent Council update on the City's plan to enhance Morgan Square, we recently sat down with representatives from the design firm responsible for creating the square's new design, Brenda Diaz-Flores and Darren Meyer with MKSK, to discuss how the design was created and what residents can expect before construction on the new square begins next year. Development of the Morgan Square plan was guided by a select steering committee of local leaders, downtown stakeholders, and area residents, representing the culmination of nine months of sustained public outreach and engagement. Enhancements envisioned by the plan include permanently pedestrianizing the sections of W Main and Dunbar streets along the square, creating festival streets that will both increase the functional size of Morgan Square and create a cohesive feel across the entire space. Additionally, an enlarged performance lawn at the square's eastern end would have adjacent public restrooms and a staffed visitor center, and a new stage orientation would allow upwards of 800 audience members to enjoy performances. Other highlights include lounging terraces, bench swings, an outdoor dining zone for adjacent restaurants, a 70 percent increase in Morgan Square's total green space, and potentially a programmable water feature.

Recently, we welcomed new Assistant City Manager, Kevin Limehouse to the City's leadership team. In a move designed to grow the City's leadership capacity, Limehouse's emphasis will be on innovation and operational efficiency, joining City Manager Chris Story and Mitch Kennedy who has been promoted to Deputy City Manager. Limehouse comes to Spartanburg from Charleston, SC where he has worked in state and local government for 17 years, most recently as Strategic Partnerships Manager for Public Services with Charleston County and Program Administrator for CORE SC. Today on the podcast, we're getting to know our new City teammate and learning more about what motivates his work in local government and why he and his family have chosen Spartanburg.

It's the most important statement of values for any government, and for the City of Spartanburg, the 2023-2024 annual budget is about investing in our city's future. With the largest outlay of capital expenditures in recent memory and a new compensation system designed to attract and retain talent for Spartanburg's municipal team, the focus on adapting to meet the challenges of our rapidly growing community. Approved unanimously by City Council in June and having taken effect on July 1, the $51 million operating budget includes no tax increases, but does include an increase to the City's solid waste fee. The $45 increase brings the total households pay for curbside garbage, recycling, and green waste pickup to $153 annually, still well below a number of nearby communities such as the City of Greenville ($204 annually) and the City of Rock Hill ($247 annually). Local residents outside the city limits must contract with a private service for garbage and recycling collection, with a cost of approximately $500 annually. On the expenditure side, the budget includes allocations of federal ARPA funding for renovations for the new Fire Department headquarters at 450 Wofford St. and large investments in affordable rental housing and homeownership support. Additionally, around $2 million is allocated to implement salary adjustments and a new classification system for the City's 425+ employees. The adjustments come after the conclusion of a salary study conducted earlier this year. Today on the podcast, we're talking with City Manager, Chris Story to get more details on the fiscal year budget and its impact on our city.