A $15 million expansion of Morgan Square in downtown Spartanburg, S.C. is set to enhance the area with a new event pavilion, performance stage, outdoor dining spaces, green areas, and more. The project aims to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and offer a venue for a variety of events. City officials hope to transform Morgan Square into one of the premier public gathering spots in the South.

The Spartanburg Design Review Board approved the expansion plans in early December, and city officials are optimistic that construction will begin in spring 2024, according to a Dec. 17 report by WYFF-TV.

City Manager Chris Story provided an update to the Spartanburg City Council on the project, which seeks to improve the area's appeal to pedestrians and accommodate a wider range of events.

"We're trying to get to the point where we have one of the best main streets in the South," Story explained. "We've got the ingredients coming together … and Morgan Square will be the hub of that."

The expansion will feature a new event pavilion, which will include a visitor kiosk, restrooms, and storage, all sheltered by an overhead canopy. Other key elements of the plan include:

• A revamped stage that can accommodate up to 800 spectators, continuing to host long-standing city events like Music on Main.
• An expanded performance lawn with more pedestrian areas and terraces at the eastern edge of the square.
• Designated outdoor dining areas.
• Increased green space.
• Improved pedestrian access on West Main and Dunbar streets.
• Creation of festival streets to enlarge Morgan Square and provide a unified feel throughout the area.

Story also mentioned a possible adjustment to the final design that could extend the project further west, adding costs but offering additional benefits.

"We think it makes sense to connect it a little bit further westward to incorporate the block immediately to the west of [the venue], and that'll add some cost," he said.

The pavilion will be located at the front of the square along North Church Street and Main Street. Morgan Square has been a key location in downtown Spartanburg since before the city's founding in 1831. After nearly three years of planning, local officials are eager to see construction begin.

"This design for the future of Morgan Square provides an opportunity to maximize the space's potential as Downtown Spartanburg's premier public gathering space," reads the city's online project page.

The Spartanburg City Council must approve the redesign and project budget before construction can start, with a vote expected in the coming months. If approved, work is anticipated to commence in late spring or early summer 2024.

Community Involvement Drives Project Forward

The expansion is the result of extensive public input and planning, led by a committee of local leaders, downtown stakeholders, and residents. The ad hoc committee was formed by the Spartanburg City Council in July 2022 to guide the design process based on community needs. After several months of engagement, the committee presented the initial design to the city council in August 2023, followed by a revised version in November.

"The design for the future of Morgan Square provides an opportunity to maximize the space's potential as Downtown Spartanburg's premier public gathering space," the final plan states. "The renewed Morgan Square will also feature a 70 percent increase in total green space."

Expanding Downtown's Appeal

The Morgan Square project is part of a larger effort to revitalize downtown Spartanburg. Nearby developments include Fifth Third Park, home of the Minor League Baseball Hub City Spartanburgers, and a new joint city-county complex and planetarium.

Morgan Square has undergone several changes over the years. Its current layout, which includes a street blocked off to vehicles, was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate outdoor dining. New resident Jarvis Steele shared his enthusiasm for the redevelopment, noting that the area’s community vibe was a key factor in his decision to move to Spartanburg.

"One of the reasons why we picked this area, me and my fiancé, is because of how much opportunity to get out and be in the community there was, so any more opportunity to do that, I'm super excited about," he told WYFF-TV.

Story emphasized that Morgan Square’s evolution reflects the city’s dynamic nature.

"It's just evolving to reflect the needs and character of downtown at the given moment," he said. "That's what it should do as a sort of living room area for the heart of the city."