To: Mr.
Knox White and Members of the Greenville City Council
From: Felsie Harris, President - Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Association
Becky Warth, Vice President - Haynie-Sirrrine Neighborhood Association
Date: January 20, 2020
Subject: County Square Redevelopment
cc: Mr. Butch Kirven, Chairman, Greenville County Council
Mr. Joseph Kernell, County Administrator
The residents of the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood have closely followed Greenville
County’s plan to redevelop County Square. This plan, first announced in 2016, is
ambitious in scope and magnitude, with an overall potential development value of $1
billion. The plan calls for the private development of 37 acres of County Square property
currently owned by the County, with 3.5 million square feet of high quality, mixed use
development projects. The County has selected RocaPoint Partners as its development
partner. This is by far the largest private development project in the history of Greenville
County.
Because of this scope and magnitude, the residents of Haynie-Sirrine have expressed a
number of serious concerns about the project. These concerns have been primarily
focused on (1) the impact of increased traffic flows in and out of County Square; (2) the
height, prominence and design of the proposed buildings; (3) the effect of the County
Square development on neighborhood property values; (4) the overall impact on the
unique character of the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood; (5) the continued gentrification of
downtown neighborhoods; and (6) the supply of available affordable housing.
More than any other neighborhood in the city, Haynie-Sirrine will be most impacted by
the County Square project. County Square is the northern most portion of Haynie-
Sirrine and our neighborhoods border the area of planned development. County
Square, and its future development, will become an integral and highly visible part of
our neighborhood. The buildings and surrounding structures will be prominent. The
proposed apartments and townhouses will bring new residents and neighbors to our
community. We will share streets and sidewalks. Traffic flows in and out of County
Square will come through our neighborhood. The County Square project will also affect
the property values of our homes.
We have been critical of the County leadership for the lack of community engagement
and communication that marked the early planning phase of this project. More could
have been to share information and solicit community input. However, we must
recognize and commend County leadership for its recent efforts to reach out to the
community. We in Haynie-Sirrine want to be viewed as neighborhood partners in this
project and we are hopeful that the County leadership has the same goal. The County,
after all, will be part of the Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood with their new offices in County
Square. We seek the same type of neighborhood partnership with RocaPoint as they
proceed with the County Square redevelopment.
The Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Association has been engaged with the other city
neighborhood associations to express our shared concerns and questions about the
County Square project. We greatly appreciate and respect the collaboration,
commitment, and knowledge of all involved. The time has come for the Haynie-Sirrine
Neighborhood Association to step forward and state our position on the County Square
project.
The Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Association supports the overall goals and concept of
the County Square Redevelopment plan and recommends City Council approval of the
County’s proposed modification to the Haynie-Sirrine building regulations with the
following conditions and understandings:
• First and foremost, as the County and RocaPoint proceed to work with the City on
more detailed planning and development approvals, we have the expectation that
there will be a formal process for ongoing community engagement to share
information and project status, and allow input from the community at each phase of
the development.
• Building heights should be limited to the building heights recommended by the
Planning Commission. This would place a maximum height of 12 stories on two
buildings in Zone B and two buildings in Zone C.
• The County’s proposal identifies eight redevelopment principles that we believe are
critical to the redevelopment project. These principles include a diverse mix of land
uses, quality public spaces such as sidewalks, parks and squares, and enhanced
connectivity to downtown and adjacent parks, trails and neighborhoods. If followed,
the principles will be the basis for a successful revitalization of the property and
enhance the attractiveness of County Square and the adjacent Haynie-Sirrine
neighborhood. As development proceeds, we have the expectation that these
principles will be fully incorporated into the redevelopment project.
• The County’s proposed modification also includes an agreement to adhere to the
Greenville Downtown Design Guidelines. This is very important and we commend the
County and RocaPoint for voluntarily agreeing to this in their proposal. This will help
ensure quality development and an attractive physical environment.
• The County and RocaPoint should closely collaborate with the City and Urban Design
Associates to ensure that the County Square development plan is consistent with the
City’s strategic master plan for the Augusta Street and South Downtown district.
Consistency and connectivity should be the focus.
• The County’s proposal anticipates the funding of various traffic enhancements to
mitigate the impact of increased traffic flows. It is critically important that these
enhancements be planned and executed.
• The County and the City must provide adequate public transportation from County
Square to the new location of the state offices on Halton Road. Some of the residents
of Haynie-Sirrine do not have a private transportation option. An adequate public
transportation option to the Halton Road location is necessary to maintain the access
these residents currently have to the state offices on University Ridge.
• The County has proposed providing $2 million in funding for affordable housing. The
City on January 10th proposed an additional $5 million for affordable housing. The
combined $7 million would be used to fund various projects, including the possibility
of purchasing a parcel of land at County Square and developing a multi-family, mixed
income apartment building. We regard this issue as vital to our neighborhood and
strongly encourage the City to focus their efforts on developing affordable workforce
housing options for multiple income levels. This proposed plan would be a good first
step.
Haynie-Sirrine is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Greenville, with its history dating
back to the late 1800’s. Many of us have lived in Haynie-Sirrine our entire lives. It is a
historically black neighborhood that has experienced economic decline over the last few
decades. In 2002 the Haynie-Sirrine Master Plan was developed with recommendations
to revitalize the neighborhood. The plan outlined a number of infrastructure and
development projects, affordable housing strategies and public and private financing
options. While investment and progress has been made in certain areas, much of the
master plan has not been realized. According to the City, over 140 houses in Haynie-
Sirrine have been demolished and not replaced over the last 20 years.
We are optimistic that the redevelopment of County Square will be a positive
enhancement to Haynie-Sirrine. Our vision for the neighborhood is a diverse, growing
and vital community that retains the unique character of Haynie-Sirrine. County Square
will be part of this community. If approved, we look forward to working with the City, the
County and RocaPoint to achieve our common goals and objectives.
Felsie Harris
President - Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Association
Becky Warth
Vice President - Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood Association
