FLORENCE — The City of Florence Design Review Board has bid farewell to the former downtown Chinese restaurant House of Louie and welcomed the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center to the heart of Florence.
Several board members, apparently eager to remove the dilapidated former restaurant, jokingly made motions Tuesday to approve the demolition before they had even received a staff report on the issue.
The building sits at the northwest corner of South Irby and West Palmetto streets.
A backhoe was parked behind the former restaurant in preparation for the demolition even before the board had met.
Meanwhile, the status of a Walgreens planned for the southwest corner of Irby and Palmetto streets is unclear. Florence Urban Planning and Development Director Phillip Lookadoo said he doesn’t officially know whether the plans for the store remain in place.
Lookadoo also said the owner of the Heritage Place hotel, at the possible Walgreens site, is close to submitting a demolition request.
The board also voted Tuesday to approve the construction of the performing arts center, at 227 S. Dargan St., as well as a rezoning that will allow more green space by requiring no off-street parking at the facility.
Board members praised the university for its efforts amid downtown revitalization.
“It’s just a wonderful catalyst for what we’re trying to do in downtown Florence,” board chairman Cary Andrews said.
Dr. Fred Carter, the university’s president, said the center is important in “opening the door” to future collaboration with the city.
“Were it not for the partnership with the city, this project wouldn’t be where it is today,” he said.
Pathways through a grassy area will lead to the entrance to the center, which will sit 125 feet from South Dargan Street.
The south side of the center, next to Palmetto Street, will feature an amphitheater and courtyard. Southern magnolia trees will surround the amphitheater for shade and noise dampening.
The plans also include a green-space plaza at the northeast corner of the block.
The overall idea is to make the center’s grounds inviting to customers and pedestrians, Carter said. The center also will be a major venue holding performances for K-12 students, who also could hold picnics in the green areas during their visits, he said.
The board on Tuesday also approved a request to add a master bedroom suite, a free-standing garage and an enclosed pool complex at 405 S. Coit St.
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