Protect Town Common: Keep Our Public Park Public — No Privatized Café/Restaurant
Petition Goal
We, the citizens of Greenville and surrounding communities, call on the City of Greenville to stop the privatization of public land at Town Common for a café/restaurant and to protect Town Common as a communal, accessible, and open public space for everyone.

 
Why This Petition Matters
Town Common belongs to the people — not private business interests
The City of Greenville is moving forward with plans to allow a privately operated café/restaurant on public parkland at Town Common. This would convert a portion of our shared community space into a commercial venture for private profit, limiting access and altering the character of the park.

Major land changes have already been made without public input
Thousands of pounds of sand have been brought in to raise the land, and electrical and plumbing infrastructure has reportedly been prepared — all without transparent public engagement.
Residents were told about bulkhead repairs and walkway improvements, but no clear notice was given about a commercial restaurant project.

The raised land already harms river views and park experience
The new elevation now blocks river views from large portions of Town Common, including the children’s playground. This impact occurred before any building exists, showing how much worse visibility and access will become if a permanent structure is added.

The community was not consulted — and deserves a voice
Town Common is a central gathering place for families, children, seniors, and visitors. Decisions about its future should be shaped by public input, not by private interests or behind‑the‑scenes planning.

 
Our Requests to the City of Greenville
1. Hold additional public input sessions
O

Evaluates non‑permanent activation strategies
Includes meaningful public engagement
3. Focus commercial development on the 1st Street corridor — not inside the park
We urge the City to explore redevelopment opportunities on the commercial parcels across 1st Street, which are already zoned for business use.
These properties could support:

Restaurants
Retail
Mixed‑use storefronts
A vibrant, walkable riverfront district
This approach would create a lively corridor that complements Town Common without privatizing it.

4. Pause all actions related to the café/restaurant proposal
We ask the City to pause all construction, grading, infrastructure installation, and planning related to the café/restaurant until:

Public input sessions are completed
A new 10‑year plan is developed
Alternatives are fully evaluated
Community priorities are documented
5. Consider non‑permanent, community‑centered alternatives
If the City’s goal is to increase attendance, there are better options that preserve public land, including:

Designated food‑truck parking
Rotating vendor markets
Seasonal pop‑ups
Community events
Flexible programming
These strategies activate the park without privatizing it.

 
What’s at Stake
Town Common is one of Greenville’s most beloved public spaces.
It should remain:

Open
Accessible
Communal
Riverfront‑focused
Family‑friendly
Free from permanent commercial structures
Privatizing this land sets a dangerous precedent for future development and undermines the community’s right to shape its shared spaces.

 
Sign the Petition
Help us protect Town Common and ensure that Greenville’s riverfront remains a place for everyone, not just those who can patronize a private restaurant.

Add your name to demand transparency, public input, and responsible development