A. Projects and Associated Public Action PROJECT #1: The Square on Church PROPERTY OWNER: VSR, LLC
TIMEFRAME: 2018-2020
The Square on Church is envisioned to be a mixed use destination with restaurants, retail, office and shared workspaces, spa and boutique hotel. The project is the vision of successful entrepreneurs Dustie Gregson and Jerry Neal who together comprise VSR, LLC. The Square on Church, aptly named for its location on South Church Street, will sit on approximately 1.3 acres. Upon completion, the development will present a total of 60,000 square feet of restored building area in three masonry buildings, the oldest of which was constructed in 1917. The site also contains an iconic 115’ smokestack that will be preserved and serve as a reminder of the property’s former association with the hosiery and furniture industries.
Figure 4 | Mill Conditions Prior to Recent Stabilization Efforts The stabilization and restoration of these structures is in the public’s interests for a number of reasons. Most importantly, the largest of the structures was almost lost to fire in 2012 and since that time major portions of the building have continued to deteriorate, threatening to endanger the public and damage adjacent buildings. Further, the project will provide the southern anchor of commercial activity within the Central Business District and includes two National Register buildings, one of which has already been successfully retrofitted into The Table Farmhouse Bakery restaurant. It is projected that up to 200 full and part-time jobs will be created by the $5-plus million development. 9
