Spartanburg City News

If you've tried to get an apartment in Downtown Spartanburg recently, you've probably encountered some trouble finding a place. In fact, in our last survey, around 98 percent of all our downtown residential units were filled. However you look at it, there seems to be more than a little pent up demand for new downtown living options in Spartanburg. The good news? More units are on the way. On Monday, City Council approved an agreement for a five-story new mixed-use development to be built on the corner of W Main Street and Daniel Morgan Avenue. The development promises 30 new apartment units (a near 10 percent increase for downtown) as well as 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. The property is currently used for surface parking, and to offset the loss of its 14 public spaces, the on the corner of Broad and Spring streets, demolish two aging buildings to accommodate 65 new spaces. Today on the podcast we're taking a look at this fantastic new development and what it means for growth on downtown's

As , due to significant changes in the recycling marketplace, glass will no longer be accepted as of March 1 at Spartanburg County recycling centers or through the City of Spartanburg’s residential curbside recycling collection program City residents should stop putting glass in their blue rollcarts following their final collection day in February.The changes are in large part due a dramatic nationwide drop in the price for glass recyclables, leaving many communities across the country with no viable opportunities for their glass recyclables. On a brighter note, while glass recycling is being discontinued, both the County and City recycling programs now collect cardboard cartons, such as those for milk and juice, which previously were not accepted. Today on the podcast, we're taking a deeper look at why these new recycling changes are being made with Spartanburg County Recycling Coordinator, Jes Sdao Swanson and Shelley Robbins, Sustainable Communities Project Manager with Upstate Forever.

Here at the City, we're always on the lookout for new ways to engage with Spartanburg's residents and fans. This week, two things in that vein made it into our podcast. First, in a test run of what we hope will be many future uses to come, the recording of this podcast was , a video streaming app that allows users to watch events in real time. . We're planning to use this new tool to add some great new content to our social media landscape. The other bit of new social media engagement has to do with photos. You all take a lot of really great photos of our beautiful city. We routinely see shots on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter taken by our residents that would shame many taken by professional photographers, so we started to ask ourselves how best to encourage this amazing trend of great local photos, and how to share some of these outstanding shots with a wider audience. Enter, the #SpartanSnaps social media cover photo extravaganza! The rules couldn't possibly be any simpler. Take a beautiful photo showing

There's no doubt about it. For Downtown Spartanburg, 2015 was one seriously great year. In the course of those 12 months, the good news just kept right on rolling in, whether it was the announcement of a new 10-story downtown AC Hotel by Marriot, new streetscaping projects that changed the look and feel of some crucially important downtown areas, a , or a  for the Northside Initiative. It's safe to say that 2016 has a lot to live up to, and the prediciton business is a tough one. But we're not ones to shy away from a challenge. Today on the podcast, we're giving some of our thoughts on what we believe might be some of the biggest local storylines to emerge in the coming year.

It's New Year's Eve, a time to look back and reflect on the year that has been as it slips away forever into the past before thoughts turn to the year ahead. What better way to spend part of the last day of 2015 than to catch up on some of this year's highlights in Spartanburg. With announcements like a new 10-story downtown Marriott AC hotel and streetscaping projects that have increased vibrancy in two important downtown areas, 2015 was a big year for Downtown Spartanburg. 2015 also saw the completion of a  that, in addition to upgrading park equipment in neighborhood parks throughout the city, also included the City's first neighborhood park on the westside and included the new Thornton Activity Center at Stewart Park. It was also an important year for the Northside Initiative, with the first full year for Harvest Park, a , and the city taking possession of Oakview Apartments earlier this month, laying the groundwork for the future T.K. Gregg Recreation Center planned for the site. In fact, so much happene

Thanksgiving week is here and the holiday decorations are up in Downtown Spartanburg, and that means it's time for two local yuletide favorites to make their annual return. returns to Morgan Square on Wednesday, November 25, with scheduled to take over downtown on Tuesday, December 1, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Today on the podcast, we're talking with City Special Events Manager, Mandy Merck about what visitors can expect this year.

The good news just keeps coming for Spartanburg. Yesterday, the the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health, . Spartanburg County is being recognized for leveraging its unique strengths and rallying community partners around a shared vision of health. Efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in teen pregnancy rates in the county, a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization that is increasing affordable housing, education opportunities, and access to wellness services and healthy foods, increased access to healthcare and social services for low-income, uninsured residents in the county, and creative strategies to integrate behavioral health services into the community. To become a RWJF Culture of Health Prize winner, Spartanburg County had to demonstrate how it excelled in the following six criteria: Defining health in the broadest possible terms. Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions. Cultivating a shared

A lot has changed since  moved their brewery to its then-new location inside the old Salvation Army building on the corner of W Main Street and Daniel Morgan Avenue in 2009. Not that long ago, watery macrobrews filled seemingly every tap in Downtown Spartanburg, but today the options for those thirsting for something a bit more flavorful have never been more abundant, and with our city's long-overdue second craft brewer, Hub City Tap House opening their doors last month, options for beer brewed right here in Downtown Spartanburg are growing too. Any way you choose to look at it, the local craft beer scene is definitely on the rise, and this Saturday, 1-5 p.m., another first will be added to the mix as  brings 25 brewers from all over the Carolinas to Downtown Spartanburg's first craft beer festival. In addition to all those tasty beverage options, the festival features a great local live music lineup and food from great local restaurants like Willy Taco and Venus Pie. Today on the podcast, we're talking with

In a move nearly as brilliant as when that Reese guy decided to put chocolate and peanut butter together, Greenville restaurant group Table 301 has partnered with downtown craft beer hotspot Growler Haus to bring their  concept to Spartanburg. Located upstairs at Growler Haus' location at , the new eatery features authentic tacos and nachos, as well as chips served with queso, guacamole, or a variety of delicious salsas. Today on the podcast, we're talking with  owner Craig Kinley and  owner Carl Sobocinski about the new addtion.

It is perhaps the most iconic park in Spartanburg, a once vibrant public space where generations of our community's parents have brought children to play and enjoy one of the city's most picturesque scenes. For many, Cleveland Park is a place awash in happy memories of sunshine-filled childhood days. Punctuated by the charming pond spilling itself gently into a stream that burbles through the large open space where the old playground once buzzed with youthful laughter, Cleveland Park long ago earned its place as a defining part of the Spartanburg community. Now, four years after a tragic  cast a shadow over this once joyous space, the  has plans to build a new 12,000 sq ft. playground for Cleveland Park, hoping to bring the community together, both to shape the park's future and to help heal the still-fresh wounds from its recent past. For six days, October 20-25, teams of volunteers (of every skill level) working four hour shifts will build the new playground. In all 2,650 volunteer shifts will be needed to

From craft beer to acupuncture and smoothie stores to Russian groceries, the newly released Volume 2 of “The Underground Guide to Spartanburg” has the lowdown on plenty of unexpected treasures and trips inside Spartanburg County. There are more than 60 new entries in this 112-page guidebook, published this week by Spartanburg’s . If you’re looking for late-night music, anti-gravity yoga, oddball yard art, LGBT-friendly clubs, bike trails or Patagonia gear, this guidebook is for you. Hub City Bookshop  during the 5th anniversary of the businesses in the Masonic Temple.  Today on the podcast, we're talking with the Underground Guide's editor, Joe Mullinax about the book, and some of the surprises locals and visitors can find inside. Visit Hub City Bookshop () to get a copy or  to purchase online. 

They've been building affordable homes for local families in need for decades, and now,  is building three new homes on the Northside. The homes, which will be completed in the fall, are an "early-in" project on the Northside, built near Harvest Park, home of Hub City Farmers' Market and the Butterfly Foundation's Monarch Cafe, the Cleveland Academy of Leadership, and the future site of the planned T.K. Gregg center. Wofford College and Spartanburg Medical Center are both within a mile as well.   Today on the podcast, we're talking with Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg Executive Director Lee Close and Director of Development and Marketing Lynne Shackleford about the homes, and the work the organization is doing on the Northside and throughout our community.

Part of the Solarize South Carolina initiative, Solarize Spartanburg is a new initiative aimed at encouraging more local homeowners to install solar systems by taking advantage of recently approved statewide policy changes that will make the . Through a coordinated partnership with the City of Spartanburg and Upstate Forever, the city will earn a free solar system for one of its municipal buildings for every 60 households who go solar before December 15, 2015. The group has scheduled an information session on August 27 at 6 p.m. at Upstate Forever's downtown office, . . Today on the pocast we're talking with Solarize South Carolina Community Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Edwards and Shelley Robbins, Sustainable Communities & Clear Air Associate with Upstate Forever to learn more about this exciting new initiative.

Downtown Spartanburg's second craft brewery is set to open later this month as renovation work nears completion on Hub City Tap House's space on St John Street. Most recently the home of Spartan Photo, the building beside Papa's Breakfast Nook has undergone a transformation to become what's sure to be one of the coolest places in town to grab a tasty brew.  Hub City Tap House plans to feature 30 taps, with 15 of their own cider and beer sharing wall space with other craft beers from around the region. The brewing pair, Michael Willcox and Kolby Garrison plan to feature some craft beer classics as well as some one-of-a-kind creations like a Russian imperial stout cider when their brewery opens later this month. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Wilcox and Garrison to get the skinny on what you can expect when Hub City Tap House opens its doors.

It's been quite a season for  so far during their first full season at Harvest Park. With continued growth and innovative new programs such as a new permaculture teaching farm highlighting an already exciting year, what's next for one of Spartanburg's most dynamic local nonprofit organizations? How about debuting a new local food truck at the market on Saturday, August 8?  Today on the podcast we're talking with HCFM Executive Director Brendan Buttimer about that, and much more, including , an eight-session workshop entrepreneurs looking to increase access to healthy foods in underserved areas that caps off with participants pitching their ideas to judges for a chance to receive $6,000 in startup funding. Listen below to learn more!

For the 21st consecutive year, the Carolina Panthers are set to bring their . Starting July 31 with the Lowe's Kickoff Party getting things started at 4:30 p.m. Events include the Mayor's Ball Run, on-field performances by the TopCats, Sir Purr, PurrCussion and Black & Blue Crew, face painting, food, and interactive games. As always, admission to the kickoff party and all 14 Panther practices is free. Follow .  Today on the podcast, we're talking with Riley Fields, Director of Community Relations for the team to learn more about this year's camp.

Last week we launched our latest web tool, , a new way to literally map the progress that continues in downtown Spartanburg. On the site, users are presented with a map showing downtown and a timeline. As users move through the timeline, pins appear in the map, highlighting parcels that have received significant investment each year. Click on one of those pins and information the property appears including capital investment, a short description, and whether the project was a renovation or new construction. Along with serving as a primer for those who may not be familiar with developments in our recent past (and as a reminder for longtime residents who might've forgotten how far we've come) SeeSpartanburgRise.com is a way to visually compile investments made in our downtown, providing an idea about where downtown is headed that's based on the reality of where it is today. Today on the podcast, we're talking about some of the thinking behind this latest tool we've added to the box. Why is it important? What ca

"When will we hear more details about the new hotel?" That's been one of the most frequently asked questions around town since  in Downtown Spartanburg. Yesterday, Spartanburg-based OTO Development , and wowed a standing-room-only crowd at Indigo Hall in the process. Details about the planned AC Hotel by Marriott show a project that is as impressive as it is ambitious. Investing more than $20 million in the project, OTO revealed that the hotel will tower 10 stories over downtown's western end, and will feature 110-120 guest rooms, a rooftop bar with an outdoor terrace, a signature restaurant, around 2000 sq.ft. of meeting space and an outdoor pool. The hotel will also feature an elegant "grand hotel" design that emulates the existing character of downtown. Today on the podcast, we're talking about the new hotel project, taking a look at the larger implications for the area around its future location and what the estimated 30,000 annual visitors it attacts will mean for downtown as a whole.

 Another business is set to open its doors in downtown Spartanburg as H & K Gallery is putting the finishing touches on its space at  in Downtown Spartanburg for a grand opening on Thursday, May 21. The beautifully renovated space will feature one of the largest selections of Southern fine art pieces you're likely to find anywhere, and figures to be a prominent stop on Downtown Spartanburg's monthly art walk. Today on the podcast, we're talking with H & K Gallery owner, Susan Kunkler about her business, and what she hopes it will add to the growing vibrancy of Downtown Spartanburg.   

May is , celebrated in cities around the country including right here in Spartanburg. Events like "" on Friday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m., with valet parking and giveaways for cyclists who ride to the event, and a "," a family friendly ride promoting bicycle safety on Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. Today on the podcast we're talking with Ned Barrett of Partners for Active Living about some of these great events. Along the way, we get an update on PAL's work to both establish new trails in Spartanburg as well as connect those trails to existing ones in our community.