NEW WEST GREENVILLE

Arrest Of Drug Ring Could Speed Change.

Things are much different in the West Greenville community than they were
in the late-1980s. Then, shootings were common and crack-cocaine was king.
Turf battles between drug dealers raged.

Today, the community is much more quiet. By all accounts, it's safe. Yet
the drug trade has continued to weigh down the aspirations of long-time
residents who have worked hard for this change. Though the violence has
waned, the scars of a long battle with street-level drug dealing remain.
People who recall this community's inglorious past have been reluctant to
move there.

The recent arrests that broke up a reported $2.7 million cocaine ring that
operated in West Greenville could be a turning point for that community.
There's the chance that more drug dealers will fill the void. But there
might be a better chance the ongoing efforts by the City of Greenville and
churches in that community to improve the housing stock and increase the
rate of homeownership will make it less susceptible to this sort of
menacing street crime.

The city is orchestrating revitalization projects in West Greenville that
will bring about 80 new homes over the next few years. Plans are on tap for
new apartment units at the old Gower Elementary site. The community could
see about $8.5 million in investment and 527 new homes over the next decade.

So this latest story is about more than the arrest of some people accused
of breaking the law. It's about a neighborhood tarnished by the drug trade
gaining an opportunity to keep it out for good.