'A momentous occasion:' City breaks ground on municipal complex

City of Simpsonville, Edifice host groundbreaking ceremony for new municipal complex

(Released: Feb. 23, 2023)

Simpsonville, S.C. — The City of Simpsonville broke ground on Thursday on its new municipal complex in a ceremony onsite.

Hosted by the City and Edifice General Contractors, the ceremony in City Park featured the groundbreaking and remarks by Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Edifice Executive Vice President Mike Carlisto and Greenville County Councilman Butch Kirven.

Mayor Shewmaker said the day was an "historic day" in the Simpsonville community.

"We're here to break ground on a new municipal complex, which makes this a momentous occasion," Mayor Shewmaker said. "This ceremony represents a significant step forward for our city, and it's a symbol of our progress and the vitality that you find here."

Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Simpsonville municipal complex on Feb. 23, 2023 | City of Simpsonville

The municipal complex — dubbed the 'crown jewel' of Simpsonville by Mayor Shewmaker — will house a 27,142 sq. ft. City Hall and police department alongside a joint municipal and summary court and a nearly 20,000 sq. ft. fire department headquarters. Surrounding the municipal complex and facilities will be a re-imagined City Park.

Mayor Shewmaker said the City has "come a long way" since its founding and even within only the last decade. The municipal complex accommodates that growth.

"We continue to grow and expand," Mayor Shewmaker said, adding the City needs a new city hall, police department, fire headquarters and court building.

"Now these buildings are going to be state-of-the-art," Mayor Shewmaker added in his remarks. "These designs have been carefully crafted to ensure they are functional and perfectly suited to their purpose, but we’re also putting shovels in the ground today to start buildings that will be aesthetically wonderful. They will be reflective of our City’s unique character and charm."

Housed with the new police department in a two-story 27,142 sq. ft. building, the new Simpsonville City Hall will include all administrative function areas for the City of Simpsonville, including Council Chambers (a.k.a. The Ellipse), offices, customer service space, conference space and training areas.

The new Simpsonville Police Department will consist of all police-related operations, including space for investigations, holding cells, booking, offices, conference rooms, training areas, fitness space, duty area, 911 dispatch and additional police functions. At 19,145 sq. ft., the new Simpsonville Fire Department station will house headquarters and a training area. Providing full operational and administrative space for all Fire Department operations, the new station will house offices, living quarters, kitchen, gear lockers, fitness and training areas, dayroom and duty room.

Surrounding the municipal complex will be the re-imagined City Park that will feature a newly revamped and enhanced City Park with tennis and basketball courts, two football fields, refurbished dog park, new playground, restroom building, walking paths, disc golf course, grand lawn event area, fountain and other exciting site amenities.

"These new buildings will serve our community for decades if not centuries to come," Mayor Shewmaker said. "They’ll not only provide essential services and resources for our community, but they will also become a center of civic pride for us. With the simultaneous renovation of Simpsonville City Park, this place will be the crown jewel of Simpsonville."

Mayor Shewmaker closed his remarks by saying the new municipal complex will be a testament to what can be achieved when working together toward a common goal.

"I want to thank each of you for being here today to celebrate this wonderful occasion," Mayor Shewmaker said to the groundbreaking attendees. "We can look forward together to a future that is simply brighter, simply better, simply home." 

Expected completion of the project is fall 2024.

City of Simpsonville and Greenville County dignitaries and officials participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Simpsonville municipal complex | City of Simsponville

From left, Simpsonville City councilmen Aaron Rupe and Ken Cummings, Fire Chief Wesley Williams, City Administrator Dianna Gracely, Police Chief Mike Hanshaw, Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Councilwoman Sherry Roche, Councilman Lou Hutchings and Greenville County Administrator Joseph Kernell and Councilman Butch Kirven

Greenville County Councilman Butch Kirven, whose District 27 includes Simpsonville, speaks at the municipal complex groundbreaking | City of Simpsonville

Executive Vice President of Edifice Mike Carlisto speaks at the City of Simpsonville municipal complex groundbreaking | City of Simpsonville