What would have been the Panthers’ headquarters in Rock Hill now set for demolition
Demolition could start within days for the structure that was to become the Carolina Panthers’ headquarters in Rock Hill, S.C., according to Mayor John Gettys.
“The building should start coming down within a week,” Gettys told The Herald on Monday.
The building and 245-acre site can be seen from Interstate 77 and Mount Gallant Road in Rock Hill. The city now owns the site near the Exit 81 interchange, which is under construction, Gettys said. The interchange is expected to be finished this summer, weather permitting, Gettys said.
The structure was under construction when GT Real Estate, the company created by the Panthers to oversee the project, stopped construction in Spring 2022. GT declared bankruptcy in June 2022. The bankruptcy was confirmed in mid-December and the city took ownership of the property the next day as part of a settlement, Gettys said.
Rock Hill received title to the land, which Gettys said is worth more than $37 million.
Documents earlier in the bankruptcy agreement showed a value of at least $20 million.
The city has agreed to a $1 deal with a contractor to tear down the building, remove the steel, and crush the foundation concrete footings, Gettys said.
The city and contractor will split the proceeds for personal property on site such as air conditioners and other items, Gettys said.
To date, the city already has proceeds over $300,000 for that personal property, Gettys said.
Property remains for sale
GT Real Estate is the company created by Panthers owner David Tepper to oversee what would have been the Panthers’ headquarters and practice facility. The project failed in a dispute over money.
As part of the bankruptcy settlement, GT ended its legal disputes with the city of Rock Hill and York County.
The Panthers remain headquartered in Charlotte.
There have been inquiries into the site but the city council has not yet discussed the highest and best return on the city’s investment, Gettys said.
The property is still being marketed by Collier’s as the ‘Rock Hill Overlook’ a “development opportunity,” according to Collier’s Web site.
Public opinion
Rock Hill City Council met Monday night to, among other things, adopt a resolution that would allow the city to convey personal property, fixtures, materials and equipment at the site.
During a citizens hearing, two speakers made their own proposals for what should happen there. Albert Zouky said the city should reach out to mega convenience station brand Buc-ee’s.
“With the new interstate overpass that goes over, that is to me a fabulous place to attract a Buc-ee’s,” Zouky said.
Ideally, Zouky said, the city could work with the existing building that was there under construction.
“Maybe we can still salvage that building that would be a great asset for the community,” Zouky said.
Another speaker told council a group from Atlanta, which the speaker represented, researched the property and had a privately funded proposal that included a covered dome that could be used for basketball and football, along with retail or conference space.
Council passed the resolution on Monday night.
City attorney Paul Dillingham said acquiring personal property at the site was part of the deal to take ownership, and the city has taken great pains to try to recover and make best use of the site. Sales incentives involved with the property will help bring about demolition at little or no cost to the city, Dillingham said Monday night.
Councilwoman Kathy Pender, just before Monday night’s vote, said she’d heard erroneous estimates that it would cost the city considerable money to bring down the unfinished structure.
”Part of what we are doing here is lowering the cost of any work there,” Pender said.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 3:14 PM.
