Greer Council approves Park Avenue closure after developer and resident debate

Greer City Council approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 30-2025 on Dec. 9, 2025, authorizing the closure of a portion of Park Avenue and allowing for a gated delineation of the closed segment and terms for purchase of the property by the adjacent developer.

Council discussion centered on whether closing a city street to resolve developer utility and cost issues set an inappropriate precedent. Councilman Jay Arrowood questioned the equity of using city-owned right-of-way to resolve a private developer’s challenges, saying he did not think the council “ought to be closing [a] road because all we’re going to do is… traffic’s gonna shoot out somewhere else.” Mike McCarthy, representing developer TMG, said the developer would not pursue the project if it harmed neighbors and reported that nearby townhome residents had come to favor the gate as a traffic-control measure.

City staff said approved plans call for resurfacing Park Avenue with a new 2-inch surface from Moore to Daniel and sidewalk connections on both sides tying into Moore Street, while gate details and dimensions remain conceptual. Staff also said the amended ordinance clearly specifies the addition of the gate and provides terms for purchase of the closed piece of property from the city.

On the motion to adopt Ordinance 30-2025, the council held a roll call vote and approved the ordinance (see “Votes at a glance” for the tally and mover/second references). The ordinance will allow the city and property owner to finalize gate location, sidewalk connections and purchase terms as follow-up items.