Great downtowns don't just happen. They are the result of vision coupled with public and private investment and collaboration.
Three South Carolina business leaders in cities of varying sizes say their hometowns have found the right formula and can serve as a lab for other cities and the businesses located in them.
Greenville's renaissance began with a vision more than 30 years ago. The downtown Greenville of today in no way resembles the city of the 1970s. Downtown Greenville has emerged with a strong mix of residential, retail and office, and a pedestrian-oriented Main Street.
Anne S. Ellefson, managing director of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd says, "We have been blessed in Greenville to have visionary leadership. A creative combination of public and private efforts has allowed us to create development beyond normal expectations."
And Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd is putting its money where its mouth is. The law firm's Greenville office opened on Main Street 125 years ago later moving to several other locations around the city. In 2013, the firm's office will move back to Main Street.
"The decision to move back that way was a return to our roots," Ellefson says. "The evolution of Main Street over the past 30 years has been awesome to watch. The area where our new One Building is located will be the link between the north end and the south end of Main Street, tying lots of development efforts together. We are excited to help make that happen."
Greenville Mayor Knox White is a partner in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, and this dual role allows him to live what he preaches. "The city has a tradition of working in partnership with private businesses. Together we create an environment that is beautiful and full of life."
It's not just the big cities that are seeding their downtowns to be attractive to new investment. In Manning, entrepreneur Jeffrey Black could have chosen to locate his international consulting business anywhere, but he saw the potential in his hometown Main Street. He owns 12 downtown buildings in Manning and runs his company from one.
Black says he chose to invest in downtown Manning because he believes a city's downtown is the first impression people get of what a community's values are. "Nobody wants to come to a place that looks tired and uncared for. They want to come to a place that is alive and vibrant - a town rich in history, but with a vision for the future."
Black points to the City of Manning's participation in the Main Street SC program as a real asset to its downtown development. "This group's support is instrumental in enhancing downtown, one building at a time. This organization provides yearly fa-ade grants, and building owners realize that a new coat of paint, good signage and planters can make a world of difference."
In Lake City, businesswoman Darla Moore also felt the pull of her hometown when she decided to help revive downtown Lake City.
"This is my hometown," Moore says. "Lake City is where I learned critical values and work ethic I needed to succeed in my profession. And, as such, it is a town I want to see succeed. Our research tells us Lake City has the assets necessary to succeed, and I believe, with a little help, we can use these assets to transform Lake City."
"Our town leaders, led by Mayor Lovith Anderson, have committed their time and resources to be part of a huge public/private partnership effort to improve the economic viability of Lake City," Moore says. "This collaborative is demonstrating to everyone involved the importance of working together to solve problems."
Moore says downtown Lake City has been able to retain its early 1900s fa-ade. And the town has passed an historic preservation district ordinance to ensure the preservation of the downtown area. The town is also working to offer downtown property owners grants and tax incentives to improve the facades of their buildings.
She believes that this Pee Dee town can become a destination many people will want to visit in order to reconnect with a small town atmosphere that has mostly disappeared from our countryside.
"I envision a vibrant, active downtown full of restaurants, retail stores, apartments and hotels to accommodate all the people who will want to spend some time visiting museums, viewing the agribusiness history of Lake City, honoring the life of the distinguished astronaut, Ronald E. McNair, and enjoying the beautiful gardens and rivers in the Lake City community," Moore says.
This article appeared in the December issue of South Carolina Business, a publication of the SC Chamber of Commerce.