With the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 23 arson that scorched the Taproot Theatre Company and destroyed four other business approaching, Taproot's leadership, board and staff are renewing their commitment to Greenwood and commemorating those affected and devastated by the string of arsons in 2009.

“We planted our roots solidly in Greenwood when we bought the early-1900s theatre 22 years," Scott Nolte, Taproot artistic director, said in a Taproot press release. "We love the vibrancy and creativity that surround us everywhere. We want the neighborhood to know that we’re here to stay, that this is where we want to be.”

Production manager Mark Lund echoed Nolte’s sentiment.

“Taproot seems as much a part of Greenwood as Greenwood seems a part of Taproot,” he said in the press release. “I’ve spent the past 19 years of my career working at Taproot and can say with confidence that the positive changes I’ve witnessed here in Greenwood over the years are at least partly due to Taproot’s presence in the neighborhood.”

The string of arsons began in summer 2009 and damaged more than a dozen neighborhood business and homes.

Many people who lived and worked in the area went about their days in fear, not knowing if and when the arsonist would strike again and if they could be next, according to the Taproot press release. This fall, on any given day, Greenwood teems with commuters, shoppers, artists and business owners going about their daily routines with a sense of normalcy, according to the press release.

The arsons ended in November 2009 when police arrested a suspect. In May, Kevin Swalwell, who pleaded guilty to 11 counts of arson, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The Green Bean Coffeehouse—one of the four businesses housed in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building until the Oct. 23 fire—has relocated to its new permanent home in the former McDonald’s building within a block of its old site, and other businesses, including Rosewood Guitar, have reopened as well.

Some scars remain, reminding people of the attacks. Some businesses were devastated and never returned, including C.C. Teriyaki, Szechuan Bistro and Pho Tic Tac, the other three businesses housed in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building.

A mural still stands at the former building’s site, serving as a constant reminder of what happened but offering an image of hope for the neighborhood’s continued recovery and rebuilding, according to the press release. Taproot Theatre is working on a plan for the site.

In the press release, Taproot thanks the countless other artists, arts organizations, businesses, foundations, firefighters and friends that made it possible for the theater to persevere and reopen.

Taproot is celebrating the past year with Taproot Uncorked, a special fundraising event featuring a presentation on wines by Patrick Anderson, owner of Greenwood’s Vineyard Wine Shop. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at The Upper Crust’s Greenwood Square. Tickets are $45 and are available online at www.taprootuncorked.com. Advanced registration is required.