Jim Fair
Alan Fore´ plans to enclose the parking lot surrounding his property at 117 Trade Street. The Greer Board of Architecture Review will hear the request at 10 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
Jim Fair
There is no easement to allow for routine deliveries at Wild Ace Pizza and Pub.
Jim Fair
A four-foot high aluminum fence, across the front entrance at the spa at 118/120 Victoria Street, is a second property Alan Fore plans to enclose.
Jim Fair
Alan Fore´ said, in his filing at City Hall, he is securing the parking lot behind the spa "To help my tenants to be able to use there (sic) parking lot."
Alan Fore´, owner of the property at 117 Trade Street and 118/120 Victoria Street, has requested the five-member BAR to accept his plans to secure his properties.
Fore´ states in his filing he plans to paint the brick and trim of the former Allen Tate Real Estate building at 117 Trade Street and surround the property with two different kinds of fencing. “This lot has been hard to secure for my tenants. (The) lot is also being destroyed by semis pulling in doing deliveries for the bars!”
By fencing in the properties, it will eliminate about 20 parking spaces that were used in the evening for visitors to downtown restaurants and merchants. That concerns the business owners and the message it sends to visitors and future investors in downtown Greer.
BIN112 fronts the 117 Trade Street property with the Chamber of Commerce adjacent to it and Wild Ace Pizza and Pub next door to the Chamber.
Allen Smith, President/CEO of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce, offered a statement Tuesday’s BAR meeting.
“While we realize this is a private property issue, we also realize that access to downtown Greer is critical. Many people, including private developers, have a financial stake in the future of downtown Greer. Future real estate and commercial success hinge on people’s ability to access the various amenities that Greer has to offer. Limiting access would not be a step in the right direction. We hope and will advocate for a solution that is good for private property owners and good for the overall economic vitality of downtown Greer,” Smith’s statement read.
While business owners and employees freely offered their opinions, none would speak on the record.
Several business owners said an easement is in place that would allow access to Wild Ace Pizza and Pub for deliveries. Glenn Pace, Planning and Zoning Coordinator, said there is no easement and Fore´ owns the property up to the sidewalks on all adjoining streets.
The BAR ruling is the law of the city. Appeals can only be made to the Circuit Court.
Fore´ did not comment for this story, saying he was celebrating his anniversary and will be back in town for Tuesday’s meeting.
Fore´s application for 117 Trade Street states he will paint the outside of the brick building Chelsea Gray. The metal awnings and downspouts would be painted Tricorn Black. The front window and door would be red or Tricorn Black. “The building is a centerpiece for downtown Greer and I want it to represent that,” Fore´wrote.
For the parking lot he stated: “I will have a decorative steel fence with a 12-foot opening (2 – six-foot gates). (The) fence will be powdered coated black to tie into the black trim on the building. Across the back will be 5-foot black rubber coated chain-link fence closing in the property.”
The 118/120 Victoria Street property, Fore´stated, will have a 4-foot high aluminum fence across the front entrance on Victoria Street and follow the same fence line as that at Victoria Arms next door to the spa. Fore´ said a small section will be added to the rear entrance to the property. Fore said he is securing the location to help spa tenants to be able to use their parking lot.
Allen Tate Real Estate moved to a larger and more accessible property on Wade Hampton Blvd. Parking was a weekday problem for its employees but the company’s move cited its need for additional space to accommodate hiring more agents, according to a company spokesperson.
All four corners at Trade and Victoria Street have empty businesses. ACME General Store closed earlier this spring. The former Bank of Greer is being remodeled into a residence in the rear and the former Vintage Jewelry Store was occupied for two months by a fitness company.
As owner of the properties, Fore´ is responsible for repairs and liability.