With Panthers in the past, Rock Hill residents mull future of practice facility site

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A community in South Carolina is waiting and wondering what the future will hold for the site abandoned earlier this year by the Carolina Panthers.

A new, state-of-the-art practice facility was supposed to be built in Rock Hill to house the NFL team, but those plans were scrapped after a dispute between team ownership and the city.

Channel 9′s South Carolina reporter Tina Terry heard from residents that the land is pivotal to the area. A local real estate agent said just the news of the Panthers’ practice facility build put the city on the map.

But with the Panthers out, the next company to own the land will be tasked with filling a void and driving the economy.

“I really believe this site is critical, not only to the city, but this part of town,” said Stephanie Burton, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty.

The idea of housing the Carolina’s flagship football team generated a lot of buzz.

“We obviously were very disappointed when this didn’t go as originally designed and anticipated, because it brought so much excitement and enthusiasm to our area,” Burton said.

Now, there’s new excitement as Colliers, an investment management company, works to market the 245-acre site to potential buyers.

Its been dubbed “The Rock Hill Overlook” by the company. Online sketches show it could be used for mixed-use development, including space for offices, a hotel, recreation, multifamily residences and townhomes.

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Ever since David Tepper’s real estate company GTRE halted construction and filed bankruptcy, neighbors of the site have been waiting to hear who they may be welcoming to the community.

“I would like to see everybody benefit, from what the Panthers, and locally, from the people here who put so much time and effort into the project to make it successful,” said Rod Lanning, a local resident.

Burton said she believes the site is bound to draw lots of potential offers.

“It is extremely unique, because in our market, to be honest, there is a real need for additional commercial space,” she said.

Channel 9 reached out to the company marketing the site for information on a price point and how many offers have been made. We are waiting to hear back.

Tepper Sports and Entertainment also had no comment, but weeks ago, GTRE filed a reorganization plan in bankruptcy court that is waiting on a decision from a judge.

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