{"id":381516,"date":"2026-06-08T22:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T02:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenvillejournal.com\/?p=381516"},"modified":"2026-06-08T22:42:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T02:42:25","slug":"greenville-city-manager-delivers-annual-state-of-the-city-address-city-council-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenvillejournal.com\/government\/greenville-city-manager-delivers-annual-state-of-the-city-address-city-council-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenville city manager highlights growth, major projects: City Council notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s a recap of the June 8 meeting of Greenville City Council.<\/span><\/p>\n

Presentation: State of the city\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Greenville City Manager Shannon Lavrin delivered the third annual \u201cstate of the city\u201d address, highlighting Greenville\u2019s continued growth. The presentation provided a recap of the work completed by the city in fiscal year 2025. Lavrin also highlighted key initiatives and projects that will be focused on during the upcoming fiscal year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The city has made significant progress on planning the multi-million-dollar renovation of Greenville City Hall. Lavrin said replacing the existing building would cost two to three times more than the planned renovation. Preliminary design plans for the project will go before the city\u2019s Design Review Board on June 18.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plans were also announced in March for creating a downtown conference center as part of the Falls Park Conference District. More than $500 million in public and private investment is planned to transform more than six acres east of Falls Park into a new mixed-use district. Lavrin said the project will require substantial investment of time throughout the next year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Greenville Police Department plans to launch a real-time crime center this year. This will provide a centralized, technology-driven hub for the department at the Public Safety Campus and Municipal Complex on Halton Road. Lavrin said the center will serve as mission control for public safety, providing officers with real-time data and support for more coordinated decision-making.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Creating more parking in Greenville\u2019s West End remains a priority for city leaders. In 2025, the city entered into a development agreement with RocaPoint Partners, the developer creating the $1 billion County Square project, for a new public parking garage on Howe Street. Lavrin said construction on the 400-space parking garage is slated to begin any day now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Progress has been made on designing the city\u2019s new wheelsports park next to the Greenville Downtown Airport. The new park will consist of a bicycle playground, a pump track and a skate park. The city plans to look for a construction manager for the project this summer. Lavrin said the goal is to finalize the project\u2019s design plans this year and start construction in early 2027.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Several projects relating to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail are also moving forward. Construction of the $4.7 million pedestrian bridge over Verdae Boulevard is expected to be completed by early fall. This project will allow for the trail to be extended to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. Lavrin said Greenville County has promised to have the trail paved upon completion of the bridge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope that we have the Swamp Rabbit Trail extension completed by the end of this year,\u201d Lavrin said. \u201cThe bridge is expected to be completed no later than October.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional trail projects that the city will focus on include:<\/span><\/p>\n