Rock Hill paves way for sale of old Coca-Cola building on Cherry Road

A new business could be coming to Cherry Road after a vote by the Rock Hill City Council this week.

The council approved a new “limited commercial” zoning for the old Coca-Cola Bottling Co. building at the corner of College Avenue Extension, paving the way for the building’s current owner, Winthrop University, to sell it for new commercial development.

Winthrop bought the property in 2003 for $950,000, according to York County tax records, and primarily uses the building for storage and office space for the school of visual and performing arts.

The building’s previous zoning allowed only residential and office uses. The new zoning allows the university to market it for sale for a wider variety of retail and commercial uses. “Limited commercial” zoning covers gas stations, liquor stores, restaurants, laundromats, private clubs, banks and business offices.

Neighboring properties include a Citgo gas station and rental properties for college students.

Winthrop currently doesn’t have a buyer in line for the property, city officials said, but other commercial development is already sprouting near the campus in what university and city planners have dubbed the “College Town” corridor.

Another commercial building that once housed a cosmetology school and smaller lot nearby on Cherry Road, across the street from the university, is already for sale with a $515,000 asking price. Plans are also in store to fill the corner of Cherry Road and Charlotte Avenue with new businesses in a plan for “College Corners.”

That plan would replace a BP gas station, the Pub House and Universal Financial Services with a multi-tenant development, including a drive-through Starbucks, a national Mexican restaurant chain and retail shops.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 7:38 PM with the headline "Rock Hill paves way for sale of old Coca-Cola building on Cherry Road."