Greenlink’s $4 Million BUILD Grant Positioned as Catalyst for Economic Growth

The Greenlink Transit Authority (GTA), Greenville, SC, has received a $4 million federal BUILD grant from USDOT to begin planning the modernization of its downtown bus transit center into a safer, more accessible, and more efficient multimodal mobility hub.

The redevelopment is positioned as a catalyst for economic growth, private investment, and job creation. The project has received broad community backing, including 31 letters of support from local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations.

The grant marks a key step toward transforming the facility, built in 1989, to better serve riders, employees, and downtown visitors. Planning activities will include conceptual and preliminary design, structural assessments, environmental review, safety planning, stakeholder engagement, and other preconstruction work.

The project will focus on improving safety and operations by redesigning circulation patterns, separating pedestrian and bus traffic, enhancing lighting and visibility, and creating ADA-compliant boarding areas and pathways. Modernization is also expected to support bike and scooter access, energy-efficient systems, stormwater management, green landscaping, real-time passenger information, and smart infrastructure.

Greenlink Director James Keel said the redevelopment will provide agency staff with “a safer, smarter, and more modern workspace that matches the high standard of service they deliver to our community.”

During the planning phase, the agency will explore the feasibility of a 12- to 20-story mixed-use structure above the transit center, potentially adding retail, office, and residential space, as well as parking for downtown visitors. Keel said the agency wants to “find the right development partner and grow our footprint to better serve both riders and downtown visitors.”