Jim Fair
Recognizable landmarks that are a part of Greer are painted on this boxcar produced by the Greer High School art department at the Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Fair
This boxcar, in front of Video Image on E. Poinsett, has children's names on it.
Jim Fair
Greer Middle College Charter High School is represented on the boxcar in front Citizens Building & Loan on Trade Street.
The City of Greer’s commitment to enhance downtown Greer and build on its art culture is ongoing.
“This is a continuation of the public art part of our city,” Steve Owens, spokesperson for the city said. "The new public arts building, trees in the cement planters, streets and sidewalk repairs are all part of the whole package in downtown Greer.”
Boxcars are located in front of Citizens Building & Loan at 229 Trade Street, the Chamber of Commerce at 111 Trade Street and Video Image at 110 E. Poinsett Street.
High school art departments are designing train cars. Greer High School designed the train car in front of the Chamber of Commerce and Greer Middle College Charter High School has painted the one at CBL.
The boxcars are secured in the cement planters for one year and will be auctioned as an original piece of Greer art.
“There are a lot of partners involved in the enhancement of downtown,” Owens said.
Partnership for Tomorrow just concluded a 2030 plan that features designs of bike and walking trails and the development of an art district.
The City Auditorium is being transformed into a concept that includes artists in residence studios, dance and performing arts and a stage for practice and performances.
The train theme was part of the downtown landscape in 2012 with the theme Tankers on Trade. An auction raised $850 for the Heritage Museum. Cabooses were the theme the following year.
The train theme comes from Greer being founded by James Manning Greer at what is now The Depot at Randall and Trade Street.
City Council budgeted $500,000 over five years with annual increases to Greer Station Association beginning in the 2014-2015 fiscal year. This is year two with $100,000 designated for GSA. The next three years will see $125,000 going to GSA / downtown enhancements each year.