New Greenville County government offices open. How to navigate buildings, where to park.

The new Greenville County office building will opens its doors to the public beginning at 8:30 a.m., Monday, July 17.

More than two years after breaking ground, the end is in sight for the first phase of the $1 billion University Ridge, County Square redevelopment.

Inside the building on Thursday, employees arranged their desks and connected their computers. Sweets already sit on a breakroom table inside one of the many offices.

“It was designed to not only be of service to the citizens, but also to be the catalyst for growth for the county square development,” said Greenville County spokesperson Bob Mihalic. “This whole development will be reflective of the professionalism of this building.”

The 250,000 square foot development, including the north and south buildings, infrastructure, and new parking desk cost $120 million.

Funding for the new county building is separate from the recent budget passed last June. In Feb. 2020, council passed an ordinance for a $120 million financing plan using an Installment Purchase Revenue bond. Once the property of the old council building is sold to build the second-half of the project, it will generate the funds for the bond.

Here’s what to know about the new Greenville County office building:

New parking deck for visitors, Greenville County employees

Along with a new building, comes the new parking deck with 1,050 parking spots, including 40 designated EV spots. The parking deck sits closest to the north building where county council chambers reside, which allows for easier access for public meeting attendees.

Levels 1-4 will be used for visitors with the top floors designated for employees.

Visitors can access entrances off Church Street, along with the original entrance off University Ridge. The buildings also feature access to sidewalks connected to downtown and the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.

The old parking lots located near the original building will no longer be accessible.

Navigating the new Greenville County office buildings

Sharing the same address of 301 University Ridge, and connected through the terrace beneath the first level, the five-story north and south buildings are divided between their different functions.

Taxpayers can visit the West Greenville Summary Court, tax collector and planning and zoning via an elevator ride in the south building.

The joint terrace level features:

• Magistrate Court/West Greenville Summary Court

• Probate Court

• Veterans Affairs

• Greenville Federal Credit Union branch

The south building holds the following departments:

First floor:

• Reception/Main Entrance

• Tax Collector

• Real Property Services

Second floor:

• Register of Deeds

• Passport Office

• Auditors Office

Third floor:

• Planning & Zoning

• Building Permits & Codes

• Land Development & Subdivision Administration

• Engineering & Maintenance

Fourth floor:

• Greenville County Redevelopment Authority

• Human Relations

• Soil & Water

• USDA

The north building will include the following departments:

First floor:

• Council Chambers

• Council Committee Meeting Room

• Clerk to Council

• Voter Registration & Collections

Second floor:

• Finance & Procurement

• Human Resources

• Wellness Clinic

• Treasurer’s Office

• Legislative Delegation

Third floor:

• Information Systems

• Geographic Information Systems

Fourth floor:

• County Administration

• County Attorney

• Executive Conference

• Greenville Area Development Corporation

Digital directories can be found throughout the building, along with local art, combining the creative aspects of the building with the functionality and convenience.

On the first floor in the south building, there are tax kiosks to submit payments independently.

“We want to have public space, we want to be open, and we want to be beautiful…and convenient. And I think we accomplished all those things,” Mihalic said.

New Greenville County Council chambers

Located on the first floor of the north building, new county council chambers include upgrades to make visiting council meetings more convenient.

For example, a large screen within the chambers broadcasts to attendees how each member voted on a resolution or ordinance.

Per code, the new county council chambers can hold 199 people.

If the chamber is at capacity, visitors can convene just outside and watch the meeting via a live feed, which is also available to watch at home.

What’s next

Mihalic said the new County Square will generate a $1 billion economic impact in 7-9 years, once the total, 40-acre project is completed within 5-8 years.

Earlier this year, Whole Foods was announced as the retail anchor tenant for the County Square redevelopment.

The Perch Kitchen & Tap, a Chicago-based wood-fired restaurant and brewery, is also planned for County Square.

Lima One Capital also announced it will be expanding its U.S. headquarters to reside in the development, as well, creating approximately 300 new jobs according to a press release.

Roca Point Partners, the developer, has also secured more on-site projects to be announced later, according to Mihalic.

Currently, EMS workers still reside in the old building. Once they are able to move to their new building in McAlister Square, demolition can start and development of the restaurant, retail and office space can begin.

“This is the first step. And it went well. So hopefully the rest of the next five to eight years will go just as smooth,” said Mihalic.

Savannah Moss covers Greenville County government and growth & development. Reach her via email at smoss@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: New Greenville County government office buildings open. What to know.