Council approves development agreement, accepts land gift, trail donation and right-of-way dedication

Greenville City Council on unanimous votes approved a development agreement with the Sphinx Company for improvements at 659 South Main Street and appropriated $250,000 in additional funding, accepted a 9.219-acre parcel donated by Home Depot USA Inc adjacent to the Wynwood Soccer Complex, accepted a $100,000 private donation toward a Swamp Rabbit Trail pedestrian bridge over Day Boulevard, and accepted the dedication of 43,480 square feet of public right-of-way from Woodland Park at Cleveland Forest Homeowners Association and the addition of Garden View Avenue to the city street system.

Development agreement (Item 15b): The council approved an ordinance to enter into a development agreement with the Sphinx Company and to appropriate $250,000 in additional funding from the economic development project and capital projects fund for design and construction at 659 South Main Street. Representatives of Sphinx attended the meeting and staff expressed support for the project; one speaker said, "We think it's a great project." The motion carried by roll call.

Home Depot parcel (Item 16a): Staff said the 9.219-acre parcel was part of mitigation for a Woodruff Road store, with roughly half under a conservation easement and therefore not developable; the parcel adjoins city property at the back of the Wynwood Soccer Complex. Council members responded positively and noted the city will send a thank-you. The resolution to accept the donation passed by voice vote.

Swamp Rabbit Trail bridge donation (Item 16b): The council accepted a private gift of $100,000 toward construction of a pedestrian bridge for the Swamp Rabbit Trail. City staff estimated the total project cost at around $4,500,000 and said they are "close to bidding" the project, but identified two easements and a Duke Energy transmission permit required to proceed. A council member said the city is "looking to bid it here in the next couple of months." The resolution to accept the gift passed by voice vote.

Right-of-way dedication and street acceptance (Item 16c): The council accepted the dedication of 43,480 square feet of public right-of-way from Woodland Park at Cleveland Forest Homeowners Association Inc. and accepted Garden View Avenue into the city street system. The resolution passed by voice vote.

All four items were approved without amendments at the meeting; no construction contracts were awarded on the bridge or development agreement during the session.