GREER, S.C. —
The city of Greer is addressing the potential sale of Victor Gym and Park.
City council gave initial approval this week to sell the city-owned property to Meridian Property Purchaser.
The proposal still faces another vote by council before the deal can be finalized.
“The main reason for considering a sale of this property is to accommodate the demand for our recreational services. The growth Greer has experienced in recent years has outgrown the Victor Facilities,” City Administrator Andrew Merriman said. “The City is exploring options to create a new, multi-use sports and event facility to accommodate those needs. We are committed to doing our due diligence in finding a purchaser who will deliver a project that will provide the right mix of residential and commercial uses to support the vitality of our growing city.”
Here are the answers to some questions that are posted on the city's website:
Why is the City selling the property?
Continued programming on this site is unsustainable. As a result of our growth and the demand for recreational services, our ability to serve those needs are limited given the size of the facilities at Victor Park. We have outgrown the space and need to expand to meet the recreational needs of our growing community.
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With recent improvements to Greer Station through the CenterG project, making the property available for a residential or mixed-use project would continue the renovation and improvement of the central business district and expand the pedestrian-friendly nature of Greer Station. Also, part of the City’s Smart Growth strategy is to increase density in the central business district, which this would help accomplish.
Why not simply rebuild on the site?
Rebuilding on the site to accommodate our current and future needs would still require the removal of the ballfield and basketball courts to accommodate for the required parking.
How will the proceeds of the sale be used?
Income from the sale of the property will fund infrastructure, be that in the form of utilities, pedestrian safety or capital facilities.
Where will softball/baseball games be played?
The City’s Recreation facilities, which currently include Country Club Road Park and Century Park for baseball and softball, as well as the Suber Road Complex, will be complemented by renovations at H.R. Turner Park that include a new ballfield and expanded amenities for both players and spectators. Turner Park is located on Virginia Ave., 1.4 miles from Victor Gym.
How will gym facilities be replaced short and long term?
The City has maxed out the capacity of the current space at Victor Gym. Planning for a new sports and events center will allow the City to create a multi-use facility to meet the needs of current and future recreation and athletic programming.
The City of Greer intentionally negotiated a due diligence period for this project of [300] days in an attempt to create a smooth transition from the current facility to new, more modern facilities capable of handling the City’s growing needs. The goal is that there will be no interruption of services for those who take full advantage of the City of Greer’s recreation amenities.
What will happen to the Creative Advancement program and summer camp?
Should timing make it necessary, alternative space will be made available to accommodate these valuable programs in the short term with the expectation of locating both in a new permanent setting in the future.
What about the outdoor basketball court and playground?
The City is working on options to relocate the outdoor courts to a convenient location in the Victor Community. Basketball courts for public use are currently available at Greentown Park, B.P. Edwards Park and Wards Creek Park. Those facilities, in addition to Victor Heights Park, Greer City Park and the Center for the Arts Park all offer quality play structures for young people.
What project is anticipated for that location?
The highest and best use of this property is for mixed use, residential, or commercial. Through the use of a development agreement, the City will be able to determine whether a prospective project meets the desired current and future use for the property.
While the City of Greer is taking steps to enter into an agreement to ultimately redevelop this property, until all due diligence is completed by the prospective purchaser, the City of Greer cannot be certain that this redevelopment will occur. Regardless of the outcome of this opportunity, the City of Greer remains committed to its plans to modernize and grow its recreational footprint to meet the needs of a growing City.
Is sufficient infrastructure in place to support a residential or mixed-use project?
Greer CPW has invested heavily in improving downtown infrastructure over the past decade. The property’s access to Highway 101 provides ideal ingress/egress. The townhomes constructed on Park Ave. have been a welcome addition while having little impact to traffic and utilities in the area.
As with any development in Greer, a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and environmental research will be conducted prior to any construction on the site. A TIA will identify peak use time and outline necessary road improvements to mitigate a projects impact.
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