The Anderson City Council members approved a design contract with RSCT Architecture and Design at a meeting Monday for a greenspace in downtown Anderson! Of course, nothing is free and if it were not for a grant from Piedmont Natural Gas of $35,000 then we might not be able to look at having a downtown green space. RSCT’s draft includes an outdoor amphitheater with grass seating, water features, a “monumental” stairway and areas overlooking the site.

The possibilities are endless for downtown Anderson, and all we have to do is look at downtown Greenville to see that a revitalized downtown is an essential part of attracting economic development to Anderson County. Another reason that this could help Anderson is that some people feel we need to attract a major hotel into downtown. We currently have a boutique hotel, the Bleckley Inn, under construction on East Church Street about two blocks from the Belk site.

If this is combines with the city’s long-standing Neighborhood Revitalization Plan it could be a dramatic & positive change to the area.

The first project for the Neighborhood Revitalization Plane is to finally do something with the land at Murray Avenue and Franklin Street. Then they may do some other work at Jefferson Avenue/East River Street and on West Whitner Street. Again I think these projects are essential for the continued revitalization of downtown Anderson. We have seen so many amazing changes in the past several years and the pace seems to be accelerating with more and more buildings being snatched up to be turned into restaurants, bars, condos, hotels etc. the possibilities are limitless for those with the vision to see what can be. Not every one want to go to the mall to shop, and the changing attitudes about urban renewal and revitalization are the proof that the time to act is now.

The opportunity is yours for the taking....