New vision unveiled for Laurens Road corridor
The landowner of 90 acres of property along Laurens Road unveiled a new vision to transform the property from a retail corridor to “Greenville’s next generation destination.”Hollingsworth Funds, the owner of the land, and Verdae Development unveiled a refreshed vision for Verdae, updating a plan for the area that was last formed in 2005. “There’s no doubt it’s a vision right now. We use that word intentionally and for us it’s probably the next 10-15 years or so,” said Gage Weekes, President and CEO of Hollingsworth Funds. Hollingsworth Funds is a charitable support organization endowed by the estate of the late John D. Hollingsworth Jr.Hollingsworth made his fortune in the textile industry and left about 40,000 acres of land to Hollingsworth Funds when he passed away in 2000.”We really do feel like there is potential given Greenville’s growth over the past 20 years, among a number of factors, to really reimagine Laurens (Road) as this kind of vibrant and inclusive mixed-use district where you can really focus in on a mix of residential, office (and) retail creating new open space and parks,” said Weekes. The areas of focus include Laurens and Henderson roads to Laurens and Haywood roads. The vision includes a new central street running parallel between the Swamp Rabbit Trail, along with retail and housing. It calls for a conversion from a one-use retail corridor to a mixed-use district that incorporates economic development through office, small business and entrepreneurship. It will also integrate a variety of housing options to maintain affordability, according to a press release. Weekes said there are several questions in mind. “If we’re going to build residential, how do we build in affordability? If we’re going to build office space, how do we build and retain companies paying a living wage? How do we create better transportation and connectivity within this corridor?” said Weekes. The next step is to get input from community stakeholders. There is no word yet on development costs for this vision.
The landowner of 90 acres of property along Laurens Road unveiled a new vision to transform the property from a retail corridor to “Greenville’s next generation destination.”
Hollingsworth Funds, the owner of the land, and Verdae Development unveiled a refreshed vision for Verdae, updating a plan for the area that was last formed in 2005.
“There’s no doubt it’s a vision right now. We use that word intentionally and for us it’s probably the next 10-15 years or so,” said Gage Weekes, President and CEO of Hollingsworth Funds.
Hollingsworth Funds is a charitable support organization endowed by the estate of the late John D. Hollingsworth Jr.
Hollingsworth made his fortune in the textile industry and left about 40,000 acres of land to Hollingsworth Funds when he passed away in 2000.
“We really do feel like there is potential given Greenville’s growth over the past 20 years, among a number of factors, to really reimagine Laurens (Road) as this kind of vibrant and inclusive mixed-use district where you can really focus in on a mix of residential, office (and) retail creating new open space and parks,” said Weekes.
The areas of focus include Laurens and Henderson roads to Laurens and Haywood roads.
The vision includes a new central street running parallel between the Swamp Rabbit Trail, along with retail and housing.
It calls for a conversion from a one-use retail corridor to a mixed-use district that incorporates economic development through office, small business and entrepreneurship. It will also integrate a variety of housing options to maintain affordability, according to a press release.
Weekes said there are several questions in mind.
“If we’re going to build residential, how do we build in affordability? If we’re going to build office space, how do we build and retain companies paying a living wage? How do we create better transportation and connectivity within this corridor?” said Weekes.
The next step is to get input from community stakeholders.
There is no word yet on development costs for this vision.
