The redevelopment of downtown Florence should be a city and county priority for the betterment of the entire county, according to a draft of the updated county comprehensive plan.

The city of Florence and the Florence Downtown Development Corp. on Friday will treat residents to lunch with the first “Picnic in the Plaza.”

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.