Preliminary recommendations and updates on the Greenville Airport District Master Plan were unveiled to city leaders and the general public June 6.
The 15-year comprehensive, small area plan for the Airport District provides several land use suggestions for development, infrastructure and connectivity to create a vibrant, walkable community area.
Since December 2022, the city has worked with Arcadis – previously named CallisonRTKL – to conduct a planning study on the Airport District.
Surrounded by I-385, Haywood Road, Laurens Road and Pleasantburg Drive, the total study area includes the Greenville Convention Center, Greenville Downtown Airport, the Swamp Rabbit Trail Green Line and more.
Amanda Morrell, project manager from Arcadis, said the goals for the planning project include:
- Balancing major road corridors
- Capitalizing on the unique qualities of the district
- Creating a community identity
- Rerouting key roads
Along with considering the logistical requirements of the Greenville Downtown Airport, the plan also considers the main objectives of the GVL2040 plan: affordable housing, open space and environment, transportation and mobility.
Highlights of the Airport District Plan
Runway Loop Trail
A new Runway Loop Trail is presented in the comprehensive plan that would connect to the future green line extension of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The loop will run along the perimeter of the Airport District and connect to various district destinations such as the convention center, airport overlooks and three proposed catalyst areas.
Morrell said the proposed trail will encompass almost the entire airport space and be 4.5 miles long.
Catalyst areas
The plan identifies three catalyst areas throughout the airport district for future development including:
- Greenville Convention Center Catalyst
- Laurens Road Catalyst
- Haywood Road Catalyst
Throughout these designated areas, there is potential development of 1,516 units of multi-family housing (apartments and townhomes), 176,000 square feet of flex office and industrial space and two hotels.
For example, a hotel and a new parking deck were recommended to be added across from the Greenville Convention Center along with a public park and more open space.
New features along the Swamp Rabbit Trail Green Line were also proposed including a new airplane viewing platform and mobility hub with bike parking/ repair and skateboard rentals.
Updated corridors
To improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and mobility, Morrell said traffic calming techniques need to be implemented along Laurens Road, Haywood Road and Pleasantburg Drive.
“We want to reduce vehicular speeds and reduce vehicular crashes,” Morrell said. “We want to create that sense of arrival and place throughout the corridor improvement.”
Morrell highlighted pocket mediums and street trees as elements that need to be added along with crossing improvements and separate side paths for pedestrians.
Next steps
For the past seven months, city staff members, Arcadis consultants and a steering committee made up of Greenville community members have worked on the planning study and development of the comprehensive plan.
Community input has helped to drive the recommendations for the Airport District, said Morrell. Focus group meetings were held throughout the process along with a public workshop, online surveys and a planning and design charrette.
Finalization of the final master Airport District Plan is expected to be completed late summer 2023 or early fall, Morrell said.
