Centre Stage Greenville is considering buying East Park Baptist Church’s property near East Washington Street and Laurens Road for a second space.
Glenda ManWaring, the theater’s executive and artistic director, said Centre Stage is not moving from its 501 River Street location.
“River Street is our home,” she said.
Instead, the theater is investigating the possibility of acquiring the property for rehearsal space, a second performance space and storage.
“Zoning is the first step,” she said. “It’s so far from a done deal.”
The Greenville Zoning Commission will consider at its August meeting a request to rezone nearly 1.5 acres of land at 12 Ebaugh Ave. from RM-1, single and multifamily residential district; OD, office and institutional district; and C-3, regional commercial district, to FRD, flexible review district. The application said Centre Stage is requesting FRD zoning because it would be limited to its specific use, therefore protecting the neighborhood from potentially unwanted commercial uses allowed within C-3 and OD zoning.
East Park Baptist Church’s congregation has decided to merge with another local church and sell the property, according to the application filed with the city.
According to the application, Centre Stage plans to rehabilitate the existing structures on site instead of building a new facility.
The application said continued growth of the arts and entertainment industry is a key factor in helping Greenville attract and retain a talented workforce long-term and that the facility would be one of the few performing arts and entertainment venues outside of the central business district.
