Three ordinances that will help implement the $282 million Bon Secours Wellness Arena master plan were presented to the Greenville County Council at its Jan. 20 meeting.
Bon Secours Healthy Arena General Manager Beth Paul presented plans for a major investment in the arena to the Greenville County Council Committee of the Whole. The plan includes major site upgrades such as a new building exterior, adding a second level to the lobby and a new amphitheater.
Paul said the master plan has been in the works for 18 months and the Greenville Arena District’s goal is to bring the arena up to modern standards.
“Now is the perfect time to position the arena for the next 25 years,” Paul said, noting that the investment will help create new jobs and new revenue for the city and county.
The upgraded concourse is part of the Greenville Arena District’s master plan to upgrade and expand Bon Secours Health Arena.
Council members reviewed three regulations related to the execution of the arena investment plan. The first ordinance would authorize the Arena District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $40 million. It also ordered a public hearing to be held in the Assembly Chamber on February 17 at 6 p.m.
The second ordinance would amend the intergovernmental agreement between the stadium district, city and county to help support stadium operations. The final ordinance would secure a $100 million hospitality tax bond from the county and establish a repayment plan for the arena district over 30 years.
Paul said a timetable for the venue’s construction has yet to be determined, with planning details still to be worked out. Our vision was to create a venue that would make Greenville a destination that established artists would want to visit.
More: Bon Secours Arena officials ask council to fund $282 million upgrades
“We want to provide a first-class experience not only for the artists, student-athletes or organizations that use the facility, but also for the fans,” Paul said.
The committee heard the first reading of the three decrees. Each ordinance must go through three readings, with the next two readings being voted on and, if approved, enacted.
Greenville County Council Vice Chairman Rick Bradley said he doesn’t expect the ordinance to face any challenges on future votes. He said the venue’s master plan would help increase revenue and compete with neighboring cities to attract entertainers.
“It’s almost a given,” Bradley said.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina Legislature, state and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
This article originally appeared in The Greenville News: Greenville Council to hear ordinance regarding Bon Secour Wellness Arena plan
