Greenwood Completes Acquisition of ‘Eyesore’

(Image courtesy of the city of Greenwood.)

The Greenwood Redevelopment Commission has closed on a $1.1 million acquisition of a former strip mall considered an "eyesore" near the Greenwood Park Mall. The city says the eight-acre property, formerly home to The Patriot’s Table restaurant, is expected to be demolished by early 2019.

Plans to acquire the property were first announced in July. The site is being considered for new park space and green infrastructure, though an exact plan is not yet in place. The city says it will seek community input before finalizing any plans.

"This is a very important acquisition for Greenwood," said Mayor Mark Myers. "Because the property is directly across from Greenwood Park Mall, a major destination for both residents and visitors, it is often one of the first impressions people see when they visit our city. Its redevelopment from blighted vacant buildings into a viable community asset will be huge positive for the city."

The city says the project, along with the city’s purchase earlier this year of the former Greenwood Middle School site, will create a "unique destination corridor" along Madison Avenue. Work is expected to begin in spring 2019 to improve streetscapes on Madison Avenue.

"The RDC is very excited to further Madison Avenue’s growing reputation as a destination corridor on the southside," said Michael Tapp, vice president of the Greenwood Redevelopment Commission. "In conjunction with our Madison Avenue streetscape improvement project, the acquisition of this property and the creation of a welcoming greenspace and gateway into the city is a big win for the community."