Macon AtkinsonGreenville News
It's been nearly two years since city officials publicly discussed a conference center downtown in-depth. Since then, the city has been largely quiet on specifics, while questions remain about the project's viability.
Plans call for the conference center to be built onseven acres nearthe banks of the Reedy River on land pledged to be donated by local developers Bo Aughtry and Phil Hughes.
The venue, as proposed in 2021, would include 43,000 square feet total of rentable space, 60,000 square feet of supporting space and 80,000 square feet forart galleries with collectionsfrom twomuseums:the Greenville County Art Museum and Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery.
But feedbackgathered from hospitality industry stakeholders and Greenville residents indicated the ballroom space might not be large enough to attract events that would warrant the center's expense. In August 2021, City Council and consultants struggled to solidify a layout that would work on the proposed site.
Aside from a few public budget discussions on how to finance the project, city officials have not publicly discussed the project at length, saying only that they continue to work on plans for the site.
Downtown conference center would boost Greenville's economic development, officials say
Proponentsare pitching the center as a wayto bring inout-of-town events and visitors, specifically more business travel.
With an average 71% hotel occupancy on the weekends and 66% during the week, visitors have a significant impact on the city's revenue, according to Greenville's 2022 economic development strategic plan. And the conference center's output—direct, indirect and induced spending for 43,000 square feet of rentable space — could generatea $30 million footprintin the city, including$20 million in new total output, according to the project study.
While the city subsidizes the Greenville Convention Center off North Pleasantburg Drive and I-385, the convention center is far away from downtown attractions and isn't pedestrian-friendly. A conference center downtown would provide alternative space for economic development initiatives and would bolster surrounding small businesses, Mayor Knox White said.
But concerns over cost, the venue's size and parking have raised hurdles for the project in recent years. And if the city wants a larger space, they'll have to pay more for it, consultants said.
The conference center is expected to total more than $100 million. That includes the private land to be donated by Hughes and Aughtry, valued at $25 million; and $26 million each fromthe city, county and state.
But the local portion of that total is increasing. City Manager John McDonough and City Council are now considering contributing $30 to $35 million from the city's hospitality taxes — if the county contributes a similar amount, too. The goal is to bond the funds for an approximate $100 million once the bond that funded Falls Park matures, McDonough said in his statement.
City Council would have to vote on the funding for it to take effect.
Developers look to other downtown sites to little avail
The property that Hughes and Aughtry are donating is located around 301 Rivers Street. While the land is located downtown and occupies a premium location by the Reedy River, questions remain about parking and loading for the facility.
But this land isn't the only downtown location the development partners have considered.
About four acres off Calvin Street that once housed a postal service facility still sit vacant, located across the street from the Grand Bohemian Hotel and future United Community Bank headquarters. United Community Bank purchased 2.3 acres of that land in 2021 to be used temporarily for employee parking, the company said in a statement.
But moving the conference center to the Calvin Street location — combined with the yet-to-be-opened UCB building — would create "significant" traffic issues for Cleveland Street and the surrounding area, Aughtry said.
"Academy (Street) is a much-less used artery than Church (Street) and not in the same proximity to significant residential neighborhoods as the site to which you refer," Aughtry said in an email.
The Grand BohemianHotel's price structure is also not conducive to meeting planners, Aughtry said.
"The supplemental hotels in immediate proximity to this site do not work," he added.
City has cash in hand while plan remains vague
The city still has cash in hand for the project despite the lack of progress on site specifics.
The state allocated the rest of its $26 million in the fiscal year 2022 budget. For fiscal year 2024 to 2028, city officials are budgeting for a $35 million debt issuance for the conference center while assuming they will not continue to subsidize the Greenville Convention Center, according to budget workshop presentations.
The convention center has historically been a drain on city resources and required $1 million in 2020 to keep it afloat after COVID-19. The center's subsidy is lower this year at $650,000 due to new management, city budget director Karen Crawford said, but the city is attempting to sell the convention center to the county to save money and keep the space available for large-scale events.
In a written statement Wednesday, McDonough said the city remains committed to a public-private partnership on the conference center.
"We continue to explore sites, work with architects on space planning and look to the private sector for those with interest in investing in and operating the center," McDonough said.
Macon Atkinson is the city watchdog reporterfor The Greenville News. She's powered by long runs and strong coffee. Follow her onTwitter @maconatkinson.
