The Winthrop University Board of Trustees voted earlier this year to spend $7.2 million
on the abatement and demolition of the two aging halls.
Workers are expected to begin tearing down the two buildings this summer to make room
for other buildings yet to be determined.
Wofford Residence Hall
Richardson Residence Hall
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ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – With abatement on the Wofford and Richardson residence halls now completed, Winthrop University will soon consider bids on the demolition of the
two high-rise buildings that face Cherry Road.
The Winthrop University Board of Trustees voted earlier this year to spend $7.2 million on the abatement and demolition of
the two aging halls. At the quarterly meeting held on April 24-25, members learned
that bids on the demolition were supposed to open April 23 but that the opening date
is in flux due to additional information needed by potential bidders, according to
James Grigg, associate vice president for facilities management.
The state of South Carolina has committed $6 million for the project, while Winthrop
will use $1.2 million from its auxiliary net position.
Workers are expected to begin tearing down the two buildings this summer to make room
for other buildings yet to be determined. Winthrop also is in the process of studying
the realignment of Alumni Drive to intersect Cherry Road at the existing Camden Avenue
traffic light, to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety in the area. This project
would mean closing the current Alumni Drive entry, and possibly the Ebenezer Avenue
entry, to direct traffic to the Camden intersection.
In other news from the two days of meetings, board members:
Adopted a strategic plan centered on five pillars to give direction to the university.
Set housing rates for the 2024-25 academic year. With an increase in students living
on campus anticipated for the fall, Winthrop will contract to provide a mix of two-
and four-bedroom units.
Established a scholarship program aimed at schools in the Charlotte partnership area
with which Winthrop has articulation agreements in order to offer their students in-state
tuition.
Created or modified 12 academic programs in education, accounting, music, fine arts,
theatre, professional studies, business and pre-law.
Heard that the likely new cafeteria site will be the gravel lot at the corner of Founders
Lane and Alumni Drive, near the amphitheatre and Little Chapel. The $2.5 million cafeteria
building will be Winthrop’s newest building in 14 years.
Agreed to use leftover funds from the Lee Wicker residence hall roof project to go
towards the Phelps residence hall roof replacement, which will be completed by next
summer.
Voted to work with the Rock Hill school district on a pilot initiative to provide
Winthrop professional development credits to teachers in the elementary, middle and
high schools.
Approved increasing the health services fee for students by $10.
Heard that more than 1,000 donors gave to the Day of Giving on April 16-17, including
117 students. The most popular areas for donations were the Winthrop Fund and the
Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
