ROCK HILL, S.C. — It’s a go! The Carolina Panthers are coming to Rock Hill.
During a virtual York County Council meeting Monday night, Project Avalanche passed a final reading in a 4-3 vote.
Council members Blackwell, Roddey, Hamilton and Love voted in favor of the ordinance, while Chairman Johnson, Cox and Wrinkler voted against it.
More than 20 people called in to the meeting who were against the project. Some are long-time farm owners of the property, others believe they have not been given enough information and projects as big as this one, should be done in a person-to-person meeting, not over Zoom during a pandemic.
Supporters of Project Avalanche say the Panthers headquarters will add to the local economy, create jobs and put Rock Hill on the map as a tourist destination.
Chairman Johnson says government doesn’t always know what’s best and there could have been a public hearing at a later date.
Councilman Winkler says he’s not supporting the project as he says he doesn’t like the 800 plus acres.
At the end of last month, the team closed on the original 240-acre property that sold for 16-million dollars.
Council members plan to clarify some of the misinformation on annexation and rights of property owners.
