Plaza Rental Information
Downtown Florence is home to two distinct plaza spaces available for hourly rental for your next event—the James Allen Plaza in the 100 block of S. Dargan Street and the Roy Adams Breezeway in the 100 block of W. Evans Street.
The James Allen Plaza offers approximately 3700 sq. feet of event space and is a good choice for gatherings of 250 attendees or less. The Roy Adams Breezeway offers approximately 2800 sq. feet of event space and is a good choice for gatherings of 150 attendees or less (attendees calculated for standing room only).
Both plaza spaces are managed and booked through the City of Florence Downtown Development Office, located at 324 W. Evans Street in Suite 200. The Downtown Development Office issues permits for special events for each plaza space and maintains a calendar of availability. Either plaza space may be rented for general admission public events or private events.
Public Event Plaza Use Permits
Groups or individuals wishing to use a downtown plaza space for a scheduled event open to the general public must obtain a Plaza Use Permit from the City of Florence Downtown Development Office. Permits are required for events such as performances, vigils, ceremonies, remembrances, or other similar type events. A plaza permit application must be submitted at least seven (7) days in advance of the proposed event. Once the permit is approved by the City Manager and the City of Florence Police Department, the applicant will be notified and may pick up the approved permit from the Downtown Development Office.
A Plaza Use Permit does not grant exclusive use of the plaza space, and is not required for events that have secured or are required to secure a Public Space Lease Agreement. There is no cost for a Plaza Use Permit, but permit holders are required to obtain proof of liability insurance naming the City of Florence and Florence Downtown Development Corp. as additional insured and the insurance certificate must also list the location of the area covered by the policy. The certificate of insurance must be presented to the City of Florence Downtown Development Office prior to setting up for the public event.
Groups or individuals wishing to apply for a Plaza Use Permit should review the Public Event Permit Policy prior to inquiring about date availability and submitting an application.
Special Event Plaza Leases
A Special Event Plaza Lease grants the exclusive use of a designated plaza space for a special or private event such as a wedding, wedding reception, engagement party, private fundraiser, ticketed event, small festival, etc. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, no other public spaces including sidewalks, streets, or public parking lot may be used for private functions or events.
Special Event Plaza Lease Agreements must be submitted at least thirty (30) days in advance of the proposed event. Once the lease agreement is approved by the Downtown Development Office and City of Florence Police Department, the applicant will be notified and the lease will be executed. The cost to lease a plaza space is $25 per hour including set-up and breakdown. Lessees are also responsible for paying a refundable cleaning and security deposit of $100.
Please note: Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, alcohol may not be served in a public plaza space unless the plaza use is booked through a contiguous restaurant that holds a valid South Carolina alcohol license. South Carolina law restricts alcohol consumption on public property to beer and wine only. No hard liquor may be sold or consumed on public property.
Lessees are also responsible for obtaining liability insurance for their event. The insurance policy must name both the City of Florence and Florence Downtown Development Corp. as additional insured and must name the location of the event coverage.
Groups or individuals wishing to apply for a Special Event Plaza Lease should review Plaza Use Policy for Special Event Leases prior to submitting an application.
Interested in booking a space for your event? Contact us at 843-678-5912.