CONSTRUCTION THREAD: Kroc Center

[adrockc2]

Kroc Center nears goal

Construction could begin next spring.

14.4 of 15 million needed raised. I'm very surprised that Greenville leads the nation in Kroc Foundation fund-raising. Larger cities which are also raising money for centers include Detroit: $9 million; and San Francisco: about $7 million.

[gs3]

^ Doesn't surprise me. There was a post somewhere on here about the nations most "giving" cities. Greenville was in the top 25 ahead of many major cities. Great to see this kind of goodwill.

[gs3]

Has anyone heard an update on when Kroc Center should start construction? I noticed this weekend that port-o-johns have been moved to the site.

[Danmire]

They have also been demolishing an old concrete building pad over near South Hudson St. Maybe this is about to take off.

[gs3]

Kroc Center just had the official ground breaking. Tents are up at the site and several hundred people are on site. A couple of news stations are there, so look for details on the evening news. (WYFF).

[RestedTraveler]

YES!!!!

Of course, we've had "official" ground breakings before...let's hope this doesn't experience any actual construction delays.

[gs3]

^

We're good on this one. Kroc Foundation presented the 50 million check. It is a done deal!

And with that said, I really like the way Kroc goes about this. They pick cities and then give the cities the chance to earn the donation. It isn't an automatic handout. From my understanding, Greenville earned it's portion fairly quickly. Some cities picked haven't faired so well from what I hear. Go Greenville.

[distortedlogic]

Guys I think this will prove to be a HUGE peice of the puzzle in years and decades to come. It is not too often a community gets 50mm to build a "playground" for its citizens and their children. But even more, this will be an asset that few places across the nation will share, and will greatly enhance that QOL we always talk about. It will also make great use of currently undeveloped (and wasted) space, and greatly expand DT. And if you think the ball park did a lot to revitalize it's area, wait until this baby is up and running!

The Gville news article was very brief, anyone hear of a time frame for construction?

[gs3]

Here is an expanded article on the Kroc Center. The article talks mostly about how Greenville landed a Kroc Center and the history of the fund raising for the project. Good read. No mention of construction start date, but from what I hear, it will be after the holidays, in Jan.

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs....INESS/711070386

[adrockc2]

g-man posted these on another site.

[breed]

Does anyone know if there are any other Kroc Centers that will have an elementary school like Whittenberg incorporated into it?

[whitehourseview]

It's a great thing for the community.

Many downtown revitalizations can cut out the lower end of the socio-economic end of society, and be for older age groups. This is defintely providing a new gateway into downtown towards a poorer end of the community.

It's faith based, so activity there will be holistic, rather than narrowly focused on one part of life.

And for children, it will be a great place to get started in making and achieving goals, which can lead to greater success for themselves and the community at large.

It's a great investment.

[Greenville]

So if I am reading the article correctly, our Kroc Center will be almost twice as large as ones in Atlanta and Chicago. Plus, we raised our money fairly quickly, especially given the fact that we are not a major city with 5 million plus residents. Great job, Greenville!

[gs3]

There were two or three trucks on the Kroc Center site yesterday and some sort of activity going on. Isn't this suppose to start construction in March/April? Getting close.

[RestedTraveler]

There were two or three trucks on the Kroc Center site yesterday and some sort of activity going on. Isn't this suppose to start construction in March/April? Getting close.

This one is going to be fun to watch!

[swu_BA_student]

I live two blocks from this project and have yet to see any signs of work starting. I can't wait though, if it is done in time I will in all likelihood send my son to the new school. It is a much better prospect than sending him to Cherrydale.

[swu_BA_student]

Has anyone else noticed that in the site plan the croc center faces away from 123. For an area that really needs a face lift due to being a downtown "gateway area" it seems like a real missed opportunity not having such a beautiful building face out.

[B&R]

Has anyone else noticed that in the site plan the croc center faces away from 123. For an area that really needs a face lift due to being a downtown "gateway area" it seems like a real missed opportunity not having such a beautiful building face out.

It looks like it is facing inward and towards the green area. That is probably best to keep the kids from running out towards the street. If they landscape the Academy Street side nicely it ought to work out fine.

Will the swimming pool be visible from the road, it looks close on the drawing.

[RestedTraveler]

Has anyone else noticed that in the site plan the croc center faces away from 123. For an area that really needs a face lift due to being a downtown "gateway area" it seems like a real missed opportunity not having such a beautiful building face out.

You're just looking at one side of the place with that rendring, though. I think if you saw the rendering from another perspective, you'd see that it fronts Academy quite nicely and will definitely provide a pleasant "gateway" entrance into downtown.

I'm looking forward to that tennis center materializing, myself. Anybody else jazzed about that possibility?

[RestedTraveler]

Architectural Renderings of the A.J. Whitenberg Elementary School adjacent to the Kroc Center can be found on WYFF's web site at: http://www.wyff4.com/slideshow/15597752/detail.html?taf=gs

[distortedlogic]

Anyone hearing anything on this one? I think it's been about six months since "groundbreaking".

[erm1981]

Hopefully they will take advantage of the nice spring weather we are about to have and start construction on this thing.

[jfl25]

I have heard this project will not begin construction until spring 2009.

[Greenville]

I have heard this project will not begin construction until spring 2009.

Then why did they have a groundbreaking six months ago?!? I thought the financing was in place and ready to go.

[jfl25]

I think it has to do with having the construction plans and documents complete.I spoke to the contractor that has supposedly recieved the job, or at least was one of the finalists.