Monday, May 20, 2013
News
Rock Hill Redevelopment Efforts at Old Celanese Plant
by Marvin Beach
Bio | Email | Follow: @MBeach14
ROCK HILL, SC – Bikes speed around a 250-meter race track at a 43 degree banking.
“It is unique. It is different, especially for the City of Rock Hill,” says Mark Sexton, with the City of Rock Hill.
It’s the third week of racing at the new Giordana Velodrome in Rock Hill.
“Part of the process is to get comfortable riding a bike that has no brakes, no coasting,” says Rick Anderson, with the Rock Hill Bicycle Club.
It’s one of only a few Velodromes on the east coast, in a city, and in a place you might not expect.
All of this is happening at the site of the old Celanese plant - over a thousand acres which have remained empty since 2005.
Eventually, what might have stayed empty will include a mix of retail, housing, and outdoor recreation.
“These venues were very purposeful in their time. Then as they closed down, what do you do with this land?” asks Sexton.
The Assured Group purchased the old Celanese land and donated 250 acres to the City of Rock Hill for an outdoor center.
Everything from sports fields, to BMX, even a YMCA.
The public element is being paid for by sponsorships and hospitality taxes.
“It’s a great use of something that used to be an eyesore and turning it into something that can be so beautiful,” Sexton says.
