An Atlanta developer plans an upscale apartment complex in the dynamic Greer market at the corner of South Suber and Chick Springs Roads.  The plans call for 240 units in ten, three-story buildings that would rent between $750 and $1200.  Amenities include pool, clubhouse with exercise room, cyber café, coffee bar, big screen TVs, courtyard and group garages.

According to a regional report by The Market Edge, Greenville county's home building permit decreased 13.6% in the second quarter of 2007 compared to 2006, going from 2,302 permits to 1,988 this year.  The number of permits issued has been increasing steadily over the past few years and the decrease probably indicates a natural ebb in the supply and demand for residential lots.  A major downturn would generally be a drop of 25-30%.

The renovation of Eastside High School is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for the upcoming school year.  A new structure with 215,000 square feet will accommodate 1,400 students which is an increase of 200 from the previous capacity.  There will be a new library, administration area, 420-space student parking area, and 65 new classrooms.  Workers will begin to demolish the old building, excluding the old auditorium and gymnasium to make room for a faculty parking lot.

A senior living development is being considered on Greenville's eastside at Batesville and Dry Pocket Roads.  If Greenville County approves a zoning request, the 300 unit complex will include mix of apartment and condos for adults 55 years and older.  The preliminary site plan includes common areas with woodland and wetland preserve, meadow with garden and pavilion, a pedestrian street, and clubhouse.

The proposed retail development across from the Cherrydale Mall has been rejected by Greenville County Council, stating that current zoning does not allow for retail on the site.  Property owners at Piney Mountain have voiced concerns about commercial encroachment onto their residential properties, among other considerations.

Clemson University researchers have been awarded a $1.6 million grant to continue their efforts to develop an implantable biochip that would relay vital health information from wounded soldiers.  The chip could give medical teams information on lactate and glucose levels very quickly.  Other potential uses for this technology include monitoring astronauts and blood-sugar levels for diabetics.

In addition to great hiking at Paris Mountain, the Upstate also offers an abundance of hiking trails within 90 minutes of Greenville.  Even in the cooler winter months, you'll still find that many of the trails will offer a pleasant experience.  Several hiking clubs exist in the are and include: Furman University's Learning in Retirement (FULIR), Carolina Mountain Club, Foothills Trail Conference, Upstate Backpacking Club; Nature Conservancy

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/southcarolina/travel/

Palmetto Conservation Foundation
www.palmettoconservation.org
Sierra Club
www.southcarolina.sierraclub.org/foothills
SC state Parks
www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/events.aspx
Senior Action Happy Trails Hiking Group
864-467-3660
Greenville Natural History Association
mailto:ajheman1@yahoo.com

It's getting harder for teens to hang out in the shopping malls of the Upstate these days.  In an attempt to reduce loitering and rowdy behavior, several local malls have implemented a "no tolerance" policy for "hanging out".   The Hayward Mall in Greenville has hired more security personnel as well as off duty Greenville County deputies to moonlight the common areas.  At Westgate Mall in Spartanburg, South Carolina, security has also been stepped up as a result of a 100 person brawl a few weeks ago.

Sources: GSA Business, Greenville Journal