The Greenville-Butler County Public Library is about to expand. Just not in the traditional sense.

Development plans for a 2,000 square-foot pavilion, to be located directly behind the city’s library, received approval from the Greenville Planning Commission on Monday.

The structure will be freestanding from the actual library, said city librarian Burke McFerrin.

“We envision this as being a place where both city events and private parties – such as a wedding reception, kindergarten graduations – can be held,” said McFerrin.

The pavilion will include required bathrooms, a kitchen area for caterers, electricity, and a stage.

McFerrin said she would like to see the new building utilized by the city for cultural events like “Art in the Park,” or spring concerts.

At least 26 new parking places will be added to existing parking, according to design plans.

The plans also take advantage of the land’s natural amphitheatre-like qualities on the hillside near Fort Dale Rd.

A chain-link fence will run the length of the railroad track near the building to accommodate safety concerns.

McFerrin said the pavilion would be funded through grants.

In other business:

n City Inspector Eddie Anderson reported the Holiday Inn Express as completed and open to the public. The hotel will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting on March 19.

The Quality Inn renovations are 70 percent complete, said Anderson, and hotel owners expect it to be open in April.

The hotel’s anchored restaurant, Old Mexico, is reporting 60 percent complete and should be open within six or seven weeks, said Anderson.

n The planning commission approved plans by the Butler County Bank to build an addition onto the company’s existing structure on the Greenville Bypass.

BCB President William Johnson said the addition would house three new offices, a conference room, kitchen area and another restroom.