Hi, Greenville. Mary here. 👋 I normally work behind-the-scenes with GVLtoday, but I’m fresh off a weekend trip to Portland, Oregon + I wanted to share what I learned about how their downtown was shaped decades ago and how it compares to Greenville’s current downtown initiatives.

In May 2019, the City of Greenville presented the Greenville Downtown Master Plan (which is different than the GVL2040 Comprehensive Plan) to the public. The goal? “Advance the economic and physical success of downtown Greenville in the next 5 to 10 years.”

Forty-seven years ago, Portland did the same thing for the first time. In 1972, they launched ‘The Downtown Plan’, which “set the policy direction for Portland’s emergence as one of the world’s most livable cities.”

The Plan had four core key features which provided the basis for today’s downtown Portland, and continues to shape regulation for the city.

Rail lines in downtown Portland. | @6AMcity

1. The Transit Mall as the spine of downtown. Since beginning service in 2001, Portland Streetcar has grown into the largest modern streetcar system in the US. The public transit corridor travels north-south, running through the Transit Mall. The original 2.4-mile route ran from Portland State University to downtown; it has had five extensions since then.

The walkable Pearl District, the main shopping district in Portland. | @6AMcity

2. East-west retail core. The streetcar provides access to the shopping area which runs from the business district to the river. By 2035, the city hopes to have the retail core extended north + down to the riverfront.

3. Replacing a freeway with a park. Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park (30 acres) was created after tearing up a major road in 1974. Sound familiar? The same thing happened to create Liberty Bridge + Falls Park.

Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. | @6AMcity

4. Preserving special places. There are now 20 historic districts designated by the city. Another special place project was Pioneer Courthouse Square, which is the size of a whole city block. It opened in 1984.

Inspired to visit Portland? If you do, stop by Cheryl’s on 12th for fresh beignet + one of the best eggs benedicts I’ve ever had. Plus, the Portland Art Museum is worth every cent.

The Greenville downtown master plan highlights several key elements, much like the Portland one. Which local initiative from the 2030 plan are you most excited about? ⬇️

Poll

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