Rock Hill officials vote to demolish fire-damaged Bleachery complex
In a 6-to-1 vote Thursday morning at City Hall, Rock Hill leaders agreed to commit $5 million in public money to demolish most of the Bleachery complex. The city also declared an intent to buy the property once it has been cleaned up.
The demolition, which is expected to start this summer and last for six months, will be handled by Will Simmons, owner of Action Demolition in Clover. Simmons was a partner at the site with Rock Hill developer Lynn Stephenson, who died last fall.
“With the passing of Lynn Stephenson, our vision was lost — and our force,” Simmons said. “I’m a demolition expert and a scrap metal trader. I am not a builder.”
The public health hazards posed by the Bleachery were put on display last summer when a pair of intentionally set fires sent smoke billowing into area neighborhoods. City leaders said they were left with few choices.
City officials have held a series of closed-door sessions to hammer out a demolition, abatement and purchase agreement with lead Bleachery Simmons.
The agreement culminates years of negotiations over when and how Rock Hill would commit public money toward cleaning up the property. Demolition is expected to cost between $6 million and $8 million.
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