City staff: former Pepsi site sold, Norris Ridge redevelopment and FEMA reimbursement discussions ongoing

City staff updated the City of Spartanburg City Council on several development and recovery matters during the June 9, 2025 meeting: the former Pepsi facility on South Church Street has been sold and the previously negotiated development agreement with the former owner is not advancing; the Norris Ridge site remains privately owned but city staff said they are pursuing redevelopment; and city staff reported continued coordination with FEMA on reimbursement for qualifying costs.

Chris Storey (city staff) told council that a three-year-old development agreement with the then-owner of the former Pepsi facility — which had contemplated demolition and construction of a light-manufacturing operation — is not moving forward because the property has been sold. “There is a new owner of that property,” Storey said, and any future project would require a new conversation and compliance with land-use regulations and building codes. He added that rights and privileges tied to the prior development agreement do not transfer automatically to a new owner.

On the Norris Ridge site, Storey said the city is pursuing a redevelopment strategy and hopes to see vacant structures demolished and the site redeveloped with residential uses that align with future proposals; he described the outlook as more optimistic than in recent months but gave no timetable or specific project proposal.

Storey also addressed questions about FEMA reimbursement for disaster-related costs, saying the city has worked with state and county partners and with outside professionals to package claims. He reported regular interaction with FEMA staff and said “all signs point to all qualifying costs being reimbursed,” and that a face-to-face meeting with FEMA was planned. Councilmember Ray asked about timing and noted national issues with FEMA eligibility decisions; Storey said the city has provided rigorous documentation and has seen no red flags so far.

Council members asked whether development conversations would involve new partners; Storey said new partners are likely in discussions about downtown concepts formerly tied to the previous owner.

Ending: Staff indicated redevelopment conversations will continue and that any new proposals for the former Pepsi site or downtown properties will require fresh review by the city and council; FEMA reimbursement discussions are ongoing with no payment date specified in the meeting record.