Council Approves Contract for Oakview Apartments Demolition

Redevelopment efforts on the Northside recently took another step forward as City Council voted unanimously to approve a contract to demolish the dilapidated Oakview Apartments.

The demolish will make way for the future T.K. Gregg Community Center planned for the location in the Northside Master Plan. Webb-Harrell Construction was the low bidder for the job 452,461. Work will consist of asbestos and lead paint abatement, demolition of the structures, preparing the site, and planting of grass. Demolition of Oakview will be done in phases over the next several months as Oakview’s remaining tenants are relocated.

The demolition comes after Council approved the purchase of the property for $1.9 million in July, after a long struggle to acquire the property from its owner, Related Companies, a New York-based real estate firm owned by multibillionaire and Miami Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross. The city condemned Oakview after attempts to purchase the property failed, and took possession in December, utilizing eminent domain, and has been working closely with Spartanburg Housing Authority to relocate residents from the substandard units.

Also at the meeting, Council approved a second reading of a development agreement for the Montgomery Building with developer James Bakker, a crucial procedural step that will allow Bakker to move forward with his plans to renovate the building to include 9,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground floor, 9,000 square feet of office space on the second floor, and 72 residential units on floors three through 10.

The agreement includes several development incentives, including free parking in the St. John Street Garage adjacent to the Montgomery Building (140 spaces for 10 years), $750,000 in public monies to be used to develop a pedestrian plaza that will connect the Montgomery Building and the parking garage, development rights on a small adjacent city-owned parcel, and property tax abatement.