Winthrop University spends millions for new operation center in Rock Hill

Another step forward was taken in terms of the sale of property by the City of Rock Hill to Winthrop University for $2.670.000.

Rock Hill Mayor: Doug Echols

The governing body of the City of Rock Hill approved the ordinance during the council meeting on Sept. 13. Over $3.000.000, Cherry Road Park property and the Rock Hill operation center are involved in the deal between the City of Rock Hill and Winthrop University

The mayor of Rock Hill, Doug Echols, and council members Susie Hilton, John Black, Kathy Pender, James Reno and Osbey Roddey met at City Hall of Rock Hill at 6 p.m. this evening. Carey Smith, city manager, presented the main facts about the sale of property.

For more than seven years, Winthrop University has developed a master plan that included properties that the city of Rock Hill and Winthrop agreed to collaborate on for purchase and sale. Smith said the city agreed with Winthrop that now would be a good time to consider the sale of the operation center on Columbia Avenue in Rock Hill as well as the purchase of 8.27 acres of Cherry Park Property.

“This is an excellent follow through and I think there are some real benefits that we gain here,” Smith said. He explained that the whole project is about a purchase, a sale and a leaseback agreement. The City sells 12.38 acres located at 349 Columbia Avenue in Rock Hill known as the operation center for $2,670,000 to Winthrop University.

However, the City can continue to use the operation property until it is possible to occupy the new operation center on Anderson Road which is at the moment under construction. The lease for each year would be $1 and ends on Dec. 31, 2011.

In addition, Winthrop sells 8.27 acres of Cherry Road Park Property for $500,000 to the City of Rock Hill. Smith said, “It does provide an ownership for the city, for firefighters, the park there and so forth.”

At the moment, however, Winthrop does not have the approval from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board. This being said, Hilton wanted to know if any issues are anticipated. Smith said, “You never know but we certainly do not anticipate any issues”

After a few changes of the sale of property ordinance, that needed “a little bit more clarity” according to Reno, the mayor and the council members approved the ordinance.

When the sale will be completed between is unclear at the moment. The next meeting between the City of Rock Hill and Winthrop University will be in December. Winthrop University expects to receive the approval by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board before the meeting.

“All the pieces begin to connect, and while we have to deal with all of them separately it is nice to see when the dots begin to connect and we begin to see the picture of ongoing improvement. I think that is what we are doing today,” said Echols.

Rock Hill - City Council Agenda:

http://www.cityofrockhill.com/_fileUploads/agendas/10age0913.pdf

City of Rock Hill – Contact Info:

http://www.cityofrockhill.com/contactUs.aspx

Operation Center Open House Info:

http://www.ci.rock-hill.sc.us/dynSubPage.aspx?deptID=19&pLinkID=68

In times when almost every department at Winthrop University faces budget cuts, do you think Winthrop University should spend millions on purchasing the new operation center? Please leave your feedback.