Council approves conveyance ordinance for Project Keystone, with due‑diligence and parking concerns noted

The Greer City Council voted to move forward with an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of city property tied to Project Keystone, with the sale structured so the city's approval of a negotiated development agreement remains a required step.

City administrator Mister Merriman told council the conveyance and the purchase‑sale agreement assume "the successful negotiation of the development agreement," and staff said they expect up to 120 days for negotiation with the developer, with potential extensions. Several councilmembers said they were concerned about how the project will affect downtown parking and asked for a clearer communications plan for merchants during the due‑diligence period. "We will be as intentional with communications, with alternative parking options," Merriman said, promising staff would work with merchants and the developer to mitigate construction impacts.

Council members also questioned incentives and the rationale for the deal terms. Staff said the property was purchased for about $3.8 million and the proposed sale price is $3.5 million, which staff described as an opportunity cost the city is willing to accept to accelerate development. Council discussion ranged from the length of the due‑diligence window to whether incentives should exclude hospitality uses; one member suggested restricting incentives for certain hospitality anchors. Staff repeatedly emphasized that the development agreement will memorialize conditions council wants to see and that if council later denies that agreement "then this goes away." The ordinance was moved and seconded and the council recorded its affirmative vote.