Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGREENVILLE COUNTY (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation is underway after a deadly shooting involving a deputy on Sunday dispatch received a 911 call around 9:50 p.m on Sunday from a home on Bryson Heights Drive regarding a disturbance involving a firearm a deputy encountered an armed suspect and shot the suspect The sheriff’s office said the suspect died and that no deputies were hurt during the incident The Greenville County Coroner’s Office identified the suspect as 34-year-old James Daniel Webster Jr The sheriff’s office provided a video explaining the situation: the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was asked to investigate The sheriff’s office said a critical incident community briefing video with more details will be released on June 18th at 8 a.m Stay with FOX Carolina News as we work to learn more Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInSIMPSONVILLE (FOX Carolina) - Officials with the Simpsonville Fire Department report crews are responding to a gas leak on Monday Piedmont Natural Gas said an excavator belonging to an unaffiliated third-party damaged a natural gas line on Beattie Street in Simpsonville The gas is off while crews conduct repairs on the damaged line Piedmont Natural Gas said repairs should be completed during the afternoon “Observations of Nature,” a collection of works by painter Lu Wixon has opened at the Simpsonville Arts Center “I am constantly inspired by the beauty of nature in the Upstate which was the inspiration of this exhibit,” Wixon said “I paint on wood because I enjoy the organic feel the surface evokes color and often negative space are the tools I use to portray my feelings of the joy and beauty of the world.” To celebrate the exhibition’s run, the Simpsonville Arts Center will host a closing reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 15. For more information, visit simpsonvilleartscenter.com Input your search keywords and press Enter the redevelopment of County Square is one of the biggest — and the most important — developments in Greenville’s recent history when you have a small piece of land and it doesn’t work out as intended there’s a lot more at stake,” said Nancy Whitworth the City of Greenville’s deputy city manager “With this site and its sensitivity to the park and downtown The county-owned property is more than 37 acres equivalent in size to downtown Greenville’s core and located within walking distance of Falls Park and the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail Its redevelopment is expected to be a billion-dollar the redevelopment of a block of South Main Street across from the Peace Center the mixed-use development at the corner of North Main and Washington streets the master planned urban community on Verdae Boulevard and Laurens Road on land once owned by the late reclusive textile magnate John D at 1,100 acres and $1.5 billion when completed and we’ve got to make sure to get it right,” said Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven County Square was not thought of as a part of Greenville’s downtown But Falls Park opened in 2004 and Fluor Field two years later planning started for the Swamp Rabbit Trail a 22-mile multiuse trail that opened in 2009 Because the former mall that now houses county operations will be torn down the developer and the county have a wonderful opportunity to design from the ground up professor emeritus of city and regional planning at Clemson University and former member of the city’s planning commission and Design Review Board “They have the opportunity to be creative and efficient and make it an important part of Greenville “Any time you double or triple the density of activities it’s going to strain existing capacities,” he said “They’ll have to have other ways to get there so you don’t have to get in a car They’ll need to think carefully about the back streets They need to make it attractive and feasible to walk with site lines and well-defined walking routes.” who said the city hasn’t had discussions with the developer said the city will be interested in how the development’s design will minimize impacts on traffic The city will also look at other elements like parking The development will likely require a zoning change “There’s no opportunity to back-door anything.” Kirven said County Square is more than an extension of downtown “It’s a test bed to demonstrate how the future looks in an urban environment,” he said “It’s a clean slate where we can design and create a smart urban environment for the future Acceptable Copy Guidelines for the CJ Guaranteed Service Before issuing a press release over the CJ Guaranteed service you will have to confirm that you have the right to do so and that you have read and understood the CJ Guaranteed terms and conditions If you have any doubt on either of these points Press releases that do 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information transmitted by Community Journals must contain a clearly identifiable source The source indicates the entity or individual that is responsible for the Content and cannot be the name of an agency issuing news on Your behalf This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way Any dispute arising under or related in any way to this Agreement shall be adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction in the County of New York Nearly two decades after the idea for a Cancer Survivors Park grew from a high school senior project to beautify an area outside a local cancer treatment center Greenville Cancer Survivors Park will hold its grand opening this weekend A public ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m “The Dedication to a Vision of Hope and Healing” will feature community leaders sharing the story about the creation of the park and plans for the Center for Hope & Healing a space for community celebrations and survivorship programs The ceremony will include recognition of the Greenville Health System and other contributors who made the park possible “The Garden Party,” will be held from 6 p.m The fundraising soiree will feature music by Trey Francis Guests at the party will be able to walk through the park and hear stories about the design and meaning Tickets are $125 and are available at cancersurvivorspark.org/the-garden-party.php Proceeds will benefit the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance’s education programs A free Cancer Survivors Day Celebration will be held at the park from 1 p.m Activities include walking tours of the park A survivors recognition ceremony and photo are set for 2:32 p.m Registration is requested but not required “We are excited to be celebrating a significant milestone — the transformation of a challenged piece of property into a beautiful park We still have much to do as we transition from bricks and mortar to a focus on incorporating the creative features and resources that are the essence of our vision — creating a space for hope and healing,” said Kay Roper executive director of the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance As the functions of parks grow more complex public-private partnerships have increased as a funding source Greenville’s Unity Park is an example of many of the current trends in building urban parks — a greater reliance on public-private partnerships the conversion of postindustrial sites into green space and construction of facilities that accommodate fluctuation in water levels to help water quality and flooding issues “Parks are no longer simply places for recreation That’s why public-private partnerships are so important,” said Catherine Nagel “Really where public-private partnerships shine is that they bring in more resources and skills.” While Greenville has been known for public-private partnerships for downtown development projects such as the Hyatt Mayor Knox White said Unity Park is the city’s first example of a true public-private partnership on a park The city has earmarked $20 million in hospitality tax revenue for the new park over 10 years and wants private partners to contribute another $20 million Separate from the city’s fundraising efforts is one led by Community Journals’ chairman and co-founder Doug Greenlaw to raise money for a veterans memorial in the park Greenlaw is a founder of the Upstate charter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart “Public-private partnerships have become a critical funding tool in the toolbox,” said Kevin O’Hara vice president of urban and government affairs for the National Recreation and Parks Association public-private partnerships are good for parks.” Chicago’s Millennium Park was a result of a public-private partnership Mayor Richard Daley originally proposed construction of a parking garage with a landscaped greenroof on land that had been parkland The original plan financing called for $120 million from parking revenue bonds and $30 million from private resources plans for the park had changed drastically A cycle center provides heated bicycle parking There are outdoor art galleries and a promenade and the Pritzker Pavilion that hosts the Grant Park Musical Festival Underneath the park is a 4,000 space parking garage the park was the Midwest’s most popular tourist attraction There’s a wide range of how park public-private partnerships are structured “There’s a real range of public-private partnership models to consider,” she said “The key is to fit the model to your community Some cities have a strong base of philanthropic organizations City Park would also mirror the trend in other cities where postindustrial sites are turned into parks and green space those sites are on waterfronts and riverfronts areas that some cities turned their backs on and became nasty places to which people didn’t want to go a waterfront cargo yard was turned into one of New York’s signature parks The city redirects real estate taxes from residential and commercial developments in the project zone creating a self-sustaining revenue stream that is far less dependent on concessions and permits for special events than signature parks in other major cities “Parks are helping to revitalize cities and put them on the map,” Nagel said “It’s exciting that those projects are not just happening in the largest cities but in medium and small cities as well.” A Simpsonville teen is in jail facing charges connected to child sexual exploitation According to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Schofield on April 24 Investigators said they received a cyber tipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Schofield distributed a nine-second video of a minor engaging in sexual activity More: Federal budget cuts threaten 'Collection of Black Voices' project at Clemson museum The attorney general’s office will prosecute the case. Schofield was being held at the Greenville County Detention Center.  A $5,000 bond was set. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A brand new premier golf course and first private course to open in Greenville County in the last 30 years has broken ground. Kawonu Golf Club will be a private course located at 3801 Fork Shoals Road in Simpsonville. The 18-hole course nestled 290 acres aims to redefine the golf experience for passionate players, according to the club. Founding partners Scott Ferrell and Barton Tuck joined over 150 members and founders on the site to celebrate the groundbreaking on Monday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kawonu Golf Club (@kawonugolfclub) The golf course said it’s trying to open in the spring of 2027 MORE NEWS: First Alert Traffic: Major downtown Greenville bridge project to begin on Tuesday View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kawonu Golf Club (@kawonugolfclub) in its new location at 249 Harrison Bridge Road The restaurant closed its former store at 659 Fairview Road Jan. 31. The 6,000-square-foot Harrison Bridge Road store features an expanded dining room with 100 seats a fully dedicated lane in the drive-thru where guests can pick up orders placed on the Chick-fil-A app The store will be open for dine-in, drive-thru, and carry-out from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit chick-fil-a.com/locations/sc/relo-simpsonville Best Places to Work in South Carolina Noel Tuck and Andrew Green study site plans for Kawonu Golf Club Construction begins on new members-only golf course in Simpsonville Construction officially began this week on Kawonu Golf Club an invitation-only private club near Simpsonville The central feature of the club will be an 18-hole course designed by architect Andrew Green on 290 acres at 3801 Fork Shoals Road Founding partners Scott Ferrell and Barton Tuck joined over 150 members and founders on the site to celebrate the groundbreaking and mark the addition to South Carolina’s Upstate golf landscape It is Greenville’s first new private club in more than three decades “Today is about more than a construction milestone — it’s a tangible beginning of a vision to create one of America’s truly great golf clubs,” Ferrell whose career includes leadership roles at Gary Player Group and PGA Tour properties and embraced a philosophy that honors both tradition and simplicity Every detail is thoughtfully designed to provide a world-class experience rooted in authenticity camaraderie and a profound love for the game.” Known for his restorations of iconic courses such as Oak Hill and Congressional Country Club Green is tasked with designing Kawonu’s par-72 layout from a blank canvas Kawonu’s course represents one of his first designs from the ground up making it a notably significant project in his portfolio “This property offers something truly special — a natural canvas with character movement and soul,” Green said in the release A course that’s at once familiar yet entirely new The goal is to create a layout that surprises challenges and inspires players every time they step onto the first tee while remaining true to the land’s natural character and unique sense of place.” Paying homage to its origins as a hunting preserve Kawonu derives its name from the Cherokee word for duck and lakefront vistas bordered by the Reedy River and S.C With neither residential development nor extraneous amenities like pools or tennis courts the focus remains solely on exceptional golf and elevated member experiences Related: Bluffton homebuilder launches new custom home brand in Greenwood County Related: Entertainment complex, gathering space planned for downtown Simpsonville Complimenting Green’s vision is architect Joel Newman of Thomas and Denzinger who has been engaged to design the clubhouse Thomas and Denzinger has offices in Charleston and Beaufort “Joel’s work exemplifies understated sophistication perfectly aligned with our mission to deliver excellence without excess,” Ferrell said in the release Kawonu Golf Club is an invitation-only club with a capped membership to maintain course conditions and exclusivity We’re creating a place where golf serves as both an escape and a return to what matters most,” Ferrell said in the release “Kawonu will be a retreat where the quality of the course shapes the experience and the people who want to be part of something enduring.” The club is expected to open in the spring of 2027 Clemson University unveils the $50M Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center which also includes a library and expanded dining facilities The organization will provide primary care pharmacy and other services on Anderson’s west side Program designed to prepare future academics researchers and industry leaders in architecture A part of the South Carolina automotive industry the company makes floor pans for the BMW Manufacturing plant[...] The executive previously served as the company's chief operating officer Sign up for your daily digest of GSA Business News Hundreds turn out to see what governor and South Carolina Department of Employment and Wor[...] Brian Kolb of EVG Media shares insights on AI’s impact Huntington National Bank opens its first South Carolina branch in Spartanburg Aerowerks invests $10M in Cherokee County for its first U.S creating 52 jobs and expandin[...] Blackstream Christie’s opens a Six Mile office to serve luxury real estate buyers near Lakes Keowe[...] South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis will stay in office for now as the House opts not to act on S[...] GSA business is the market leader in business media in South Carolina We connect you with decision-makers and stakeholders throughout the state Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Log in for access to the latest digital and special editions Have you recently driven up to the Chick-fil-A on 659 Fairview Road just to realize it's been closed down The good news is that your favorite fast-food restaurant is still in town but in a new location right around the corner On Thursday, Chick-fil-A Simpsonville reopened for business in a brand new 6,000 square foot building including a dining room with 100 seats and a designated mobile pickup counter and outdoor seating The restaurant also has a larger parking lot and a fully dedicated lane in the drive-thru where guests can pick up orders made through the Chick-fil-A app Here's what to know about the new location Simpsonville's new Chick-fil-A restaurant is located on 249 Harrison Bridge Road and is in close proximity to its former location What are the store hours?The new restaurant will be open for dine-in Simpsonville native Matt Webber is the current owner-operator of three Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Upstate ∎ Chick-fil-A Simpsonville: 249 Harrison Bridge Rd ∎ Chick-fil-A NE Main Street: 930 Main St. Simpsonville (Operating partner: Kyle Wall) "Chick-fil-A has given me incredible access to achieve my personal and professional goals through both the scholarships I received as well as the leaders who I have learned from and that’s why it’s important to me to continue that for my own team,” said Webber in the news release “The relocation of Chick-fil-A Simpsonville offers us the opportunity to grow our team Chick-fil-A's news release states the restaurant uses boneless chicken breasts with "no added fillers." The breaded chicken is pressure cooked in fully-refined peanut oil Is there a chicken shortage in the U.S. amid bird flu?The country is not experiencing a chicken meat shortage despite the rising cost of eggs due to bird flu, according to USA TODAY the lack of eggs and their higher costs may drive consumers to seek out other protein alternatives as a replacement resulting in shortages and price increases Beef and milk are not being affected by bird flu and egg shortages at this time Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News There are 16 chances to attend UniverSoul Circus's “Rhythm of the World” today through Feb 23 under the big top tent at Heritage Park in Simpsonville UniverSoul Circus is returning to the Greenville area for the first time in 12 years Go to www.universoulcircus.com for more information UniverSoul's “Rhythm of the World” includes: How much are UniverSoul tickets?Tickets start at $25 and are available at Ticketmaster.com For details and promotions, visit universoulcircus.com/greenville has unveiled plans for a dining and entertainment complex in the heart of downtown Simpsonville at 136 S gathering space planned for downtown Simpsonville A multi-faceted development with a plaza and indoor entertainment hub is being planned for downtown Simpsonville slated to begin construction in spring 2025 will transform a former service station into a community gathering space that aligns with the city’s ongoing $14 million initiative to enhance the central business district’s attractiveness and accessibility “I’ve had the privilege of watching Simpsonville transform over the past 13 years,” said Simpsonville resident David Berger “We’ve seen our population grow by more than 22% just since 2020 But what makes this growth special is how we’ve managed to keep our community spirit strong and that’s exactly why we’re creating this space It’s going to be a place where the locals who’ve been here for decades can share stories with newcomers where everyone feels like family and where new traditions can take root alongside the old ones.” The multi-faceted development will have three key features “This new community gathering space is exactly the type of project to build on the vitality we already enjoy in our downtown,” said Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker in the release “It’s a great offering that brings people together — with a performance stage outdoor seating and dining options; this addition to the central business district by Community Hub will only further enhance the vibrancy of downtown Simpsonville.” The project will be managed by local operator Nate Tomforde a veteran in cultivating community spaces throughout the Upstate Tomforde brings more than a decade of experience in developing successful venues across the Upstate region His track record includes establishing one of the first craft beer taprooms in downtown Greenville playing a key role in launching Southernside Brewing at Unity Park and was pivotal in opening the first restaurant at BridgeWay Station Related: Here’s what’s replacing The Velo Fellow in downtown Greenville Related: Food hall to open at historic The Mill at Fountain Inn — what to know “This project embodies what community spaces should be a dedication to serving the community – we’re bringing together dining entertainment and gathering spaces that welcome everyone,” said Tomforde in the release LLC is committed to philanthropic endeavors within the community will drive an intentional commitment to give back to the community Their first initiative will focus on bringing public art to downtown Simpsonville GB&D reopens in The Commons food hall with a fresh focus on fan favorites and two new sister concepts: Leo[...] and big-city appeal to Greenville’s West End [...] a rooftop patio and The Whiskey Hotel on the second floor which would be part of a mixed-use development with restaurants and retail Greenville area’s first private club in more than three decades celebrates milestone .. The Greenville-based brand has grown to 15 locations Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington — the largest contributor to the state UMC budget — officially began the process to leave the denomination on Jan A Simpsonville church that announced disaffiliation in 2024 is being sued for its buildings and bank accounts A Simpsonville church thought it left the United Methodist denomination behind saying they must surrender their money and property SIMPSONVILLE — An Upstate church faces a lawsuit from the denomination it tried to leave last year with the state organization claiming it still owns the downtown Simpsonville building despite the congregation’s name change and attempt at separation announced its disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church on June 4 and changed its corporate filings to the new name It then filed documents with Greenville County to reflect the name change despite the South Carolina United Methodist Conference owning the property as part of trust clause in its bylaws The Book of Discipline serves as the denomination’s set of laws for how it operates and oversees congregations Division grew nationwide among the churches ahead of a 2024 vote by the denomination to permit same-sex weddings and openly gay clergy Churches could disaffiliate through Paragraph 2553 of the book but then removed from the South Carolina Book of Discipline at its June 2024 annual meeting The denomination formally updated its bylaws in May 2024 to reflect the changes to LGBTQ+ members’ rights in the church and the definition of marriage The church in Simpsonville did not participate in the Paragraph 2553 process and should therefore have its assets — property buildings and bank accounts — turned over to the state organization The lawsuit also seeks for pastor Michael Smith to move out of the church's parsonage as he surrendered his UMC credentials yet continues to occupy the home the state organization claims it owns Another portion of the Book of Discipline states that United Methodist churches agencies and institutions are held “in trust for the benefit of the denomination.” which sits on several downtown parcels totaling over 5 acres wants the lawsuit dismissed on the grounds the legal system does not have jurisdiction over religious law the church claims the trust clause is only on some deeds to its parcels and others were added secretly as a product of fraud The main piece of church property does not currently nor has ever had a trust clause in its deed The Methodist Church of Simpsonville got its start on Southeast Main Street in 1916 as Simpsonville Methodist Episcopal Church, South, according to its website The United Methodist Church was founded in April 1968 Lawsuits surrounding disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church have been anticipated throughout the process as some congregations were unlikely to meet the financial demands outlined in the process Several Alabama churches sued their conference over another section of the Book of Discipline asking that AUMC “close” their churches and sell the property back to the congregation in an attempt to separate A North Carolina court ruled at the end of 2024 that Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church in Wilmington, N.C., could move forward with its lawsuit against the NCUMC after the conference closed the church during its disaffiliation process The SC conference lost over 100 churches during the disaffiliation process and its recommended budget shrank by 13 percent for 2025 a drop of $2.2 million because of separating churches The conference requested a donation of $97,423 from Simpsonville United Methodist in 2024 Follow Caitlin on Twitter/X @CatHerrington News tips/online questions: greenville@postandcourier.com Subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Here is a recap of the Simpsonville City Council meeting on March 11 Council approved an ordinance to finalize the sale of the old City Hall property at 118 N.E to Blue Ridge Land Holdings LLC for $840,000 The parcel will be combined with the old Truist Bank and a portion of the adjoining property to create a mixed-use development. This item will go before the City Council for final approval April 8 Council approved an amended ordinance that would change the required votes from five to four when hiring or firing the city administrator and other department heads This item will go before the City Council for final approval April 8 Current City Administrator Dianna Gracely announced in January she would retire June 30 Council approved an ordinance to lease the former Fire Department administrative building at 102 Academy St. to Crown & Bloom Coffee Co. The tenant will sign a one-year lease for the 1,950-square-foot space and pay $1,950 per month in rent to the city The business owners plan to offer organic and gluten-free food options as well as coffee-related classes Meet the investigators determined to find and memorialize the 22 Civil War soldiers from the 5th United States Colored Cavalry who were ambushed and slain by racist outlaws outside of Camp Nelson © 2025 WNET PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization When Simpsonville native Danielle Brooks played the character Sofia for the Broadway revival of "The Color Purple" in 2015 the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities graduate reprised her role as the character in the film adaptation Brooks is now in the spotlight for her role as Dawn in the live-action "A Minecraft Movie," which has been a major box office success, earning $550 million worldwide, according to Variety "The film has broken records for video game adaptations and is already one of the highest-grossing movies of 2025." said the publication The movie has even surpassed the success of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," holding the record for the biggest opening weekend for any movie so far this year, per Vulture Here's what to know about the meaning behind Brooks' costume colors and the film "A Minecraft Movie," based off the hit Minecraft video game, revolves around four misfits (Brooks, Jason Momoa, Sebastian Hansen, and Emma Myers) who are "pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination," said IMDB the tetrad must master the blocky universe known as the Minecraft Overworld while embarking on a quest with an unexpected expert crafter (Jack Black) In the film, Brooks' character wears a bright orange and purple jumpsuit which holds a secret meaning. During an interview with "Today," Brooks shared the colors pay homage to her past roles in "The Color Purple" and "Orange Is The New Black." orange and purple?' She (costume designer Amanda Neale) was like Co-star Momoa loved Brooks' costume so much that he asked Neale to create a jumpsuit for him to wear during one of the film's premieres the costume didn't arrive in time for him to wear it a sequel to "A Minecraft Movie" has already been confirmed to be in development by Warner Bros The movie's original cast members are also rumored to be making a return to the big screen Creed and Sylvester, two red-necked wallabies who escaped from a petting zoo in Simpsonville, have been recaptured and returned to the CCNB Amphitheater at Heritage Park The wallabies escaped their enclosure on Thursday, where they were part of a petting zoo at the park’s Nights of Lights walk-through Christmas lights event that runs throughout December and January a search team found the two wallabies in the parking area near the amphitheater They were able to catch Creed without tranquilizing him Creed was returned to his enclosure on Friday morning While Sylvester remained missing for several more hours He was tranquilized and then given some time in a heated area with hay and water to recuperate Both wallabies have since been returned to their enclosure and are healthy When they’re not participating in the petting zoo, they live at Eudora Wildlife Safari Park in Sally, South Carolina, owner Mark Nisbet said They’re the only wallabies in the park and are part of an educational program were born in the United States – Nisbet believes they are several generations into living in captivity – and have been at Eudora for about five years Nisbet said all efforts were exhausted to find the two wallabies He was particularly grateful that they escaped during a part of the weekend when the nearby road was not filled with traffic a manager checked the exhibit area to ensure the gate was locked Nisbet said the manager noticed the gate was opened and the lock was missing the search party used drones that identify body heat Nisbet said several community members called to report Sylvester sightings throughout the day Nisbet said Sylvester stepped onto the service road “like something out of a story.” and Nisbet and his team gave Sylvester a sedative to calm him down then took him to a private stall at the amphitheater to readjust According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species they are stable and are not at risk of extinction Wallabies are marsupials; they are smaller cousins of the kangaroo and are native to Australia They grow to be about two or three feet tall They can also be found in Tasmania and Papua New Guinea growth and development for The Greenville News she covered environmental issues and climate change You can reach her at sswetlik@gannett.com or via X at @sarahgswetlik Here is a recap of the Simpsonville City Council meeting on April 8 Council voted 4-3 to table an ordinance to finalize the sale of the old City Hall property at 118 N.E The developer plans to combine the parcel with the old Truist Bank and a portion of the adjoining property to create a mixed-use development During a discussion about the property sale multiple council members expressed concerns about the plans for the property not meeting the city’s needs They requested a development agreement be in place before the sale could move forward Current City Administrator Dianna Gracely announced in January she would retire June 30. Gracely’s replacement was named March 25 when Council unanimously approved Tee Coker to succeed her Coker was awarded a four-year contract and will work concurrently with Gracely Council approved plans for Gracely to negotiate a parking lease agreement for three lots at the corner of North Maple and West Curtis streets with a counter offer to pay $1,000 each month the city has been leasing and maintaining the lots which consist of around 55 public parking spaces as “Trustee of Trust U/A of Eloise W 2019,” initially requested the city agree to pay $1,800 per month Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with MetroConnects to provide sewer service to Kemet The city-owned sewer line that connects to Kemet runs under Interstate 385 and would cost $1.5 million to repair if Simpsonville is able to obtain clearance from the South Carolina Department of Transportation to do the work The city’s only other option for connecting sewer service to Kemet would go through a MetroConnects area MetroConnects will pay to establish sewer service at Kemet and the city will pay less than $100,000 to abandon the sewer line under I-385 and plug it on both sides Council approved a rezoning request for properties at 101 plans to redevelop the garage into two attached apartment units and keep the commercial businesses open facing College Street This item will go before the City Council for final approval May 13 A rendering shows the planned design of an entertainment hub in downtown Simpsonville A former gas station in the heart of downtown Simpsonville will soon transform into an entertainment complex called the Community Hub Plaza Conor Hughes is a reporter for the Post and Courier Greenville SIMPSONVILLE — A former gas station in the heart of downtown Simpsonville will soon transform into an entertainment complex called the Community Hub Plaza gastropub and gaming area with duckpin bowling It will also include 16,000 square feet of outdoor space Simpsonville resident David Berger is spearheading the project through his company Community Hub LLC He said the project could be "transformative" for the Upstate town's growing city center "Where downtown Greenville has been the main character for the last two decades these submarkets are developing their own identity and own downtowns which I think is really amazing," Berger said Berger said the development has been in the works for three years He knew the former owners of the gas station well and they approached him to discuss the site's future as they prepared for retirement "They were concerned about the legacy of the property for downtown Simpsonville," he said While the gas station that currently stands on the tract will be torn down to make way for the project Berger said he plans to incorporate the property's history into the coming development as much as possible Construction is set to begin on the complex in spring 2025 and last roughly a year The project comes as Simpsonville's population continues to soar and the city prepares to begin a sweeping public works and streetscaping project intended to improve traffic and beautify downtown City Administrator Dianna Gracely said the redevelopment of the South Main Street property will complement the planned city center overhaul "Redevelopment projects like this continue to add to the vibrancy of our downtown," she said "We have great momentum going into our public improvements and truly appreciate the partnerships we've cultivated." While the new complex will sit in the heart of Simpsonville Berger said he expects it to draw people from around the Upstate Follow Conor Hughes on Twitter at @ConorJHughes or reach him on his email at chughes@postandcourier.com GREEN (Global Renewable Energy Education Network) Charter Schools celebrated the opening of its new Simpsonville location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb the South Carolina Public Charter School District the Mauldin Chamber of Commerce and other organizations attended the ribbon cutting Thursday morning as we prepare to cut this symbolic green ribbon we officially open the doors to limitless possibilities for our students and the future of education in and around this community,” said Maria Werner principal of GREEN Charter School Simpsonville GREEN Charter School Simpsonville currently serves 364 students in kindergarten through third grade and sixth grade The school has a waitlist of 444 students for the upcoming school year GREEN Charter School Simpsonville will grow to serve a total of 640 students in kindergarten through seventh grade The school’s total attendance will increase to 720 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the 2026-27 school year The new GREEN Charter School in Simpsonville is the seventh school in the non-profit charter school network The mission of Global Renewable Energy Education Network is to educate students in science engineering and mathematics to make an impact in renewable energy For more information about GREEN Charter School Simpsonville, visit scgreensimpsonville.org Simpsonville has lost one of its most beloved stops as Scuffletown Food Truck Park announced their closing over the weekend Sunday was the final day of the multi-cuisine dining and entertainment space at 206 Laden Court According to their official social media account the food truck park closed due to "unforeseen circumstances," and brings an end to the popular entertainment space that has hosted about 15 food trucks since opening on Dec natives took a chance to open the food truck park after succeeding in deploying various mobile retail food units in the Pacific Northwest before moving to Greenville in 2021 Their vision for Greenville included a centralized location to have a variety of food trucks and a place of fellowship for locals and visitors to the Upstate the husband-and-wife duo owned the property The food park commonly hosted cornhole and mini golf tournaments in a dog-friendly environment Scuffletown Food Truck Park was also a major hub for the Simpsonville community immediately after Tropical Storm Helene hit the Upstate providing a hot meal and community for those affected – A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription will soon open at the edge of Gracely Park in Simpsonville at 102 Academy St The building was previously home to the city’s fire department administrative building Its owners – husband and wife duos Corey and Baylee Simpson, and Brantley and Shirley Bell – will bring sustainably-focused organic coffee to the 1,950 square-foot space along with gluten-free dining options. Crown + Bloom has operated since August 2024 out of a 1967 vintage camper “We wanted to create something that was different which everybody strives to,” Baylee said “But we wanted to have organic coffee … and we wanted to have our syrups be small batch To be able to offer a place especially for people who are more sensitive to allergens.” Allergen awareness was a value the Simpsons prioritized. They also own mold testing company, Cornerstone Mold. In that vein a central objective for Crown + Bloom was to give those who were suffering of allergies or were otherwise conscientious of ingredients a place where they can treat themselves without worry The owners have partnered with The Clean Cupcake Co. owner Samantha Brown Crown + Bloom will have traditional coffee shop offerings such as pastries like cookies But the owners also recognize that Crown + Bloom will have a wide clientele next to the park They decided to offer a full food program with options including house-made smoothies a grilled chicken wrap filled with peppers and street corn with a vegan options to match the coffee shop will have a patio overlooking the park’s Great Lawn guests can expect a black-and-white palette against earthy accents like eucalyptus and gold The store will also have a room where parents can take their kids Crown + Bloom is expected to open in the summer The business will retain the camper in order to provide service for events Like the cups Crown + Bloom offers, its coffee pods are compostable Here is a recap of the Simpsonville City Council on Jan David Phillips of Greene Finney Cauley said that his firm found no issues with Simpsonville’s financial records from fiscal year 2023-2024 Here is a recap of the Simpsonville City Council meeting on Feb Council approved a measure that awards $120,000 in accommodations tax funds money that is collected from taxes on hotel stays in the city to projects or events recommended by the city’s Accommodations Tax Committee Council approved plans to use $56,250 in accommodations tax funds to support the city’s Welcome Center, which is managed by the Simpsonville Chamber Council approved an ordinance to lease the former Fire Department administrative building at 102 Academy St the tenant will sign a one-year lease for the 1,950-square-foot space and pay $1,950 per month in rent to the city This item will go before the City Council for final approval March 11 Here is a recap of the Simpsonville City Council on Nov City Council approved renaming Simpsonville City Park to Gracely Park in honor of City Administrator Dianna Gracely by a vote of 4-3 Tim Pinkerton (Ward 5) and Lou Hutchings (Ward 6) voted against the measure Hutchings and O’Rear said how much they appreciated Gracely’s work for Simpsonville but felt the property should remain City Park Both men suggested that the council explore naming an element of the park after Gracely to honor her work Mayor Paul Shewmaker and council members Aaron Rupe (Ward 2) and Sherry Roche (Ward 4) all spoke in favor of the name change as they discussed Gracely’s work above and beyond her scope of duties including bringing more than $21.1 million in grants into the city bringing the downtown revitalization project to life spearheading and guiding the municipal complex project and handpicking the various elements that will go into the park Gracely has served as Simpsonville’s city administrator since 2018 and was previously city administrator for Travelers Rest (2005-18) and Landrum (2002-05) Council approved several refinements to its zoning ordinances This item will go before the City Council for final approval Dec Small Business Administration attended the meeting to provide information about the U.S Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant program which was launched in partnership with American Express to support small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton The program will provide $5 million in funding by distributing $5,000 grants to 1,000 eligible small businesses across the Southeast to support their recovery and help them build resilience against future disasters All applicants must be located in SBA disaster-declared counties, financially harmed and cannot cover costs, and have one to 25 employees. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Nov. 17. For more information, visit uschamberfoundation.org/solutions/small-business-hurricane-recovery-grant-program Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 1:45:55 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());.