Borrowing elements from the classic gardens of Charleston and Savannah, Ga., Rock Hill will develop an urban park with a unique main attraction.
Unique, as in the world's largest bowl fountain.
The city and Comporium Communications are partnering to transform a city-owned downtown parking lot into a "green oasis" with a lawn, walking paths, gardens and a gazebo.
At the center: a tiered fountain with jets of water spraying from the edges. One scenario calls for sprays to crescendo on the hour, said Richard Petersheim of LandDesign, an urban planning and civil engineering firm hired to design the park.
"The clock strikes 12, and you pique this thing up at 70 feet," Petersheim said.
"For Rock Hill, this would be such an attraction."
The 1.6-acre park would sit at Main and Saluda streets among shops, residences and offices called Downtown East - a multiblock development overseen by Comporium.
The fountain bowl will span up to 100 feet in width, with a 30-foot-tall structure in the middle, according to a concept described Thursday.
Johnny Barnes, Comporium's vice president, said he assigned an intern to research the world's largest bowl fountains - and none equal the size of what's planned in Rock Hill.
"The intent was to have something we could market - and make it a destination," Barnes told City Council members.
The fountain could have light displays and interactive touch sensors, but it won't be a splash pool, Petersheim said: "It's not meant to throw your bathing suit on and go play in it."
Longer-term plans call for a 100-room hotel and performing arts center as part of Downtown East, a project crafted in closed-door talks between Comporium and the city.
As a first step, Comporium plans to demolish the former King Funeral Home and Hiers-Clarkson office building before the Come-See-Me festival April 7-16.
Ideas for park elements
The park should offer a mix of themes and amenities but not so many that it becomes cluttered, said Councilwoman Kathy Pender.
"It's nice to think you can do everything with that park," Pender said.
"I don't think you can. We need to focus on what works for that space and that area of downtown."
The design should incorporate elements of local history, said Councilman John Black, noting panel images on the refurbished Black Street parking deck. The images depict buggies and vehicles from the Anderson Motor Co.
Petersheim showed photos of fountains in Charleston's Waterfront Park and Logan Park in Philadelphia, Pa. All paths and views should lead toward the fountain, he said, similar to garden squares in Savannah.
The $2 million to $3 million price tag would draw from a special downtown tax district, not the general fund, city officials said. Comporium would help pay for the water element, though specifics were not disclosed.
Tax revenues generated by the private development would go toward repaying public costs, city manager David Vehaun said.
Members of First Presbyterian Church have shared concerns about losing the 207-space municipal parking lot, a popular option on Sunday mornings. Plans call for adding 106 on-street parking spaces around the park.
Barnes stood up near the end of the workshop to share thoughts from a yellow notepad sheet. It was a rare public appearance for the Comporium executive, who generally lets his spokesmen handle speaking duties.
Barnes said the park fits into a larger vision for enlivening the east side of downtown. With a fountain as the major draw, Barnes said the park can lure East Coast travelers off the interstate and become a new source of commerce for Rock Hill.
Share your ideas
What features should Rock Hill put in a downtown park? How about a mural or fish pond? Or maybe miniature Vernon Grant characters?
Can you suggest any historic elements that would teach visitors about the city's heritage?
Share your ideas with Herald reporter Matt Garfield. E-mail him at mgarfield@heraldonline.com. We might print selected entries.
