In 2025, Spartanburg Mayor Chris Story announced a wave of transformative infrastructure projects aimed at revitalizing the city’s downtown core, expanding transportation capacity, and modernizing public spaces to meet the city’s rapid growth and development pace.
Major Downtown Redevelopment Projects
The mayor confirmed the launch of several large-scale downtown ventures, including the Morgan Square Redevelopment, the 111 East Main Street mixed-use project, and the construction of a new City-County Government Complex. The Morgan Square plan, scheduled for renewed consideration in late 2025, will include pedestrian plazas, a performance lawn, and expanded outdoor dining areas to spur retail and hospitality traffic downtown.
The $18 million redevelopment of the former Montgomery Ward building at 111 E. Main Street will create over 7,000 square feet of new retail space and up to 26 residential units, breathing life into one of downtown’s historic districts. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 after updated interest rate projections and utility improvements are completed.
Housing and Community Expansion
Spartanburg City Council approved a $22 million townhome project along Drayton Road and Skylyn Drive, expanding housing options on the city’s Eastside — an area that has seen extensive redevelopment near Drayton Mills. The project aims to fill the gap between apartment complexes and single-family homes, catering to new professionals and young families drawn to Spartanburg’s growing job base.
Transportation and Infrastructure Upgrades
Spartanburg County committed a record $688.9 million under its 2025–2029 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) — a 228% increase over the previous cycle. The funding prioritizes road infrastructure, including:
Countywide Asphalt Pavement Improvement Program ($224.8 million)
SCDOT Partnership for Pavement Upgrades ($130.5 million)
Intersection Improvement Program ($59.1 million)
These efforts are projected to significantly reduce travel delays, improve safety, and support industrial development along major corridors like Highway 29 and I-85.
Greenspace and Streetscape Enhancements
Upcoming phases of the West Main Street Corridor Project and nearby streetscaping initiatives will redesign high-traffic zones for better pedestrian flow, modernized lighting, and bicycle lanes. Additionally, plans include relocating the downtown clock tower to integrate it into the forthcoming city complex as a historic exhibit celebrating Spartanburg’s architectural legacy.
Economic and Social Impact
Collectively, these projects align with the city’s OneSpartanburg Vision Plan — a strategy focused on merging livability improvements with downtown economic growth. Mayor Story emphasized that these infrastructure upgrades would not only “shape the visual and cultural identity of Spartanburg’s next decade” but also enhance accessibility, sustainability, and civic pride.
Together, the city’s investments reflect one of Spartanburg’s most ambitious modernization phases in years — a commitment to pairing economic vitality with urban design, housing diversity, and long-term infrastructure resilience.
SOURCES
[1](https://blog.firmographs.com/blog/spartanburg-county-south-carolina-capital-budget-increased-by-228)
[2](https://www.cityofspartanburg.org/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=91)
[3](https://www.montgomerydevelopmentgroup.com/news/news/spartanburg-city-council-approves-22m-townhome-project-plan)
[4](https://www.cityofspartanburg.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=93)
[5](https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/2024/12/30/spartanburgs-2025-projects-include-fifth-third-park-planetarium/76205649007/)
