community take advantage of all that will be available in the surrounding area and throughout Rock Hill,” he said.


MIRACLE PARK


RENDERING OF UNIVERSITY CENTER


will include an indoor sports arena, office space, retail space, restaurants, breweries and, eventually, housing.


Rock Hill staple Te White Horse restaurant already relocated from its Camden Ave. location to the University Center space. Te Rock Hill Sports & Event Center is slated to open later this year, which will give Winthrop students opportunities for hands-on experience. It’s expected to attract at least 172,000 tourists and generate an estimated $10 million direct economic impact on the community annually.


Winthrop also will expand its exercise science laboratory space into University Center. Private student housing is also planned on the University Center site, bordering Stewart Avenue.


Wes Tuttle, vice president of development and broker for Te Tuttle Company, the commercial real estate firm developing the property, told “Winthrop Close-Up,” the student produced video news magazine, that University Center will “breathe some fresh air into Rock Hill.”


“It’s a brand-new tax base for the city,” 4


said Tuttle. “It’s right in the backyard. You can walk there from campus. It’s the connecting piece from Winthrop to downtown Rock Hill.”


Te $200 million project is expected to bring 1,000 new jobs to the site, and will be complete in about five to six years.


MY RIDE BUS SYSTEM


In March the city, in partnership with


Winthrop, Piedmont Medical Center and Family Trust Federal Credit Union, unveiled My Ride, a free, fixed- route bus system. Te all-electric buses have four routes, two of which travel through campus, and connect historic and growing areas around Knowledge Park, Cherry Road and Dave Lyle Boulevard.


As a partner, Winthrop agreed to put in $1 million over the course of five years. Tirty percent of advertising space on the buses, bus shelters, mobile apps


and in-bus screens will highlight the university.


“When I arrived in 2015 and we talked with students about transportation needs, the thing that came up over and over was the need for a bus system,” Mahony told the crowd at the March 26 bus unveiling. “It was clear after a while that it was also important to faculty, staff and the community.”


Mahony added that the bus system will open up the city to the campus community and will also bring visitors to campus.


Both Mahony and Gettys feel that of all the projects, the bus system may be the most significant.


“Tis free bus system will bring opportunities to many more people for whom transportation has been a barrier,” Gettys said. “Winthrop's involvement and partnership in this endeavor made the ability to launch and operate this public service possible.”


Mahony added that University Center will also benefit the community in conjunction with the bus system.


“Te area development will make Winthrop more appealing for faculty, staff and students, and the transit system will help the campus


5


Miracle Park organizers approached the city and Winthrop about partnering on Miracle Park, a new


world-class sports park for children and adults with disabilities. Located at Winthrop Park (between Cherry Road and Eden Terrace), the site will include two baseball fields, a multi-purpose field and an inclusive playground. Ideally, Miracle Park also will one day include retail space, such as a coffee shop that will employ and mostly be run by those with disabilities, and host the Special Olympics.


Students pursuing degrees related to disabilities and athletic programs will be able to use the park for educational purposes.


Work is still in the planning stages on Miracle Park, but full completion is expected within three to four years.


‘UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH’


As Rock Hill and the university prepare for “unprecedented growth,” Mahony made sure to thank the city for its leadership.


“Without leadership, we clearly wouldn’t be here today,” Mahony said.


Gettys pointed to how much Rock Hill, particularly downtown, has dramatically changed throughout the last five years: apartments, breweries, Fountain Park and other restaurants. He looks forward to the next “four impressive years.”


“Winthrop students are enjoying the benefits of this development presently and, hopefully, will stay in Rock Hill after graduation to launch businesses, assist with the creation of more amenities and develop a night life that will establish the sense of place we are striving for in downtown,” Gettys said. “Te opportunities are here and are increasing, and Winthrop students have a head start on finding success due to their familiarity with the community and the education provided.


“In short, it's no secret that Winthrop puts the ‘Knowledge’ in Knowledge Park. My hope is its students and graduates take advantage of the opportunity.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14