City Center Master Plan

In 2003, Greenwood embarked on a downtown redevelopment planning process.  The “need for a clearly defined city center and outdoor gathering space” and the fact that downtown Greenwood was “highly over saturated” with professional office space were concerns expressed by local citizens.  Additionally, some of the key downtown cultural assets, such as the Community Theatre and Museum, were in severe decline.  The final redevelopment report, entitled The Greenwood City Center Master Plan, identified the need to establish a cultural center as an economic catalyst for new investment.

The Emerald Triangle (Greenwood being the “Emerald City”) is a nine-acre triangular shaped area in the heart of downtown.  In three short years since the master plan’s adoption, over $8 million dollars has been invested or committed to public projects within The Emerald Triangle.  In April 2006, the restored Greenwood Federal Building opened as the Arts Center, a 25,000 square foot facility that includes an art gallery and reception hall. In February 2007, the renovated Greenwood Community Theatre opened, a 300-seat performance venue.  Further downtown renovations in 2007 include the Museum, streetscape improvements, and the restoration of the facades for 26 buildings within The Emerald Triangle.  Also in 2007, the first private investments are being made in downtown, demonstrating that an entrepreneurial spirit is developing in downtown Greenwood. All of this hard work and planning has taught Greenwood that great downtowns do not just happen--they must be orchestrated and every community partner must be involved!

 February 2007 - The Greenwood Community Theatre reopens with the showing of "Anything Goes"

July 2007 - The first renovated building along Maxwell Avenue opens.  Photographer Jon Holloway opened his new studio at 146 Maxwell Avenue.  Holloway intends to start a new music series in 2008 - Music on Maxwell.

December 2007 - Oregon Avenue reopens with new decorative brick trim sidewalks, landscaping, and new luminaries to encourage a pedestrian friendly atmosphere within the Emerald Triangle.