GSP Website
GSP commissioners were given an overview of GSP 360 – Beyond The Runway, a website that is being used for marketing and development for 2,500 acres on nine tracts of land being offered for mixed-use development.
Jim Fair
Chain-link fencing, left green background, is seen along the curb as the GSP Terminal Improvement Project is in full progress. The scaffolding to the far left, background, is the expansion of the North baggage claim area and the buildout for vendors.
Commissioners for Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport viewed a presentation, “GSP 360 – Beyond the Runway” on Monday that is being used for collateral marketing materials and development purposes. The study identified tracts of land that could be used for economic development such as light industrial to larger warehouse and distributors and manufacturers.
Tracts were also identified best use possibilities for subdivisions to independent commercial, mixed-use retail and office space.
“B and F are the hottest tracts,” said Kevin Howell, GSP Vice President/COO. “We are now working with economic development in those areas.”
Tracts ranged from 746 acres available through increments step-laddered down to 69.
GSP leased 45 acres to third party CenterPoint to BMW Manufacturing in Greer for a $14 million, 420,000-square-foot assembly warehouse that will begin operations in January 2014. It is adjacent to the South Carolina Inland Port that is expected to begin shipping cargo along Norfolk Southern rail next month.
Tract B is a 315-acre tract on the eastern edge of the city of Greer that offers direct access to the port via J. Verne Smith Parkway and features rail access. The website suggests a mix of smaller service users and larger footprint warehousing, distribution and manufacturing to the rear of the tract.
Tract F, 82 acres, sits along the east side of the GSP runway between the General Aviation Facilities and the North Cargo Apron. It’s best use is described as well suited for future aviation expansion, including air cargo facilities.
GSP’s $115 million Terminal Improvement Project is still over two years (2016) from being completed. The expansion is geared to accommodate up to 2 million passengers per year and potentially 4 million passengers per year. Latest GSP passenger traffic for July was down 1.5 percent or 2,500 passengers compared to July 2012. The calendar year to date traffic was reported at 1.039 million, down 1.1 percent compared to the same reporting period in 2012.
David Edwards, GSP President/CEO, told commissioners more sidewalk was fenced than anticipated. The movement of traffic with construction ongoing is progressing smoothly, according to Edwards.
“The police officers are moving (waiting traffic) to the cell phone lot for parking,” Edwards said. Chief (Bobby) Welborn has done a great job handling the peak periods.
“We will be putting in two temporary vestibules with a little closer opening for passengers to get across the street. We plan to get canopies up for temporary cover.”
GSP police and personnel have also been handling out cards to passengers with a map of parking places and an explanation of what is going on with construction.” It tells you what is going on and where it is going on and it’s the size of a business card, said Rosylin Weston, Director of Communication.