News Summary
The Spartanburg City Council has voted 4-2 to dismantle the downtown clock tower on West Main Street, despite significant community backlash. While the clock and bell will be displayed at a new joint government building, concerns regarding the removal persist. This decision is part of ‘Project Core,’ which aims to revitalize the area, leading to heated debates among residents, some likening the clock tower to a historical landmark like Big Ben. Alternative proposals to relocate the tower were discussed but not favored by the majority.
Spartanburg City Council Votes to Dismantle Downtown Clock Tower Amid Community Backlash
The Spartanburg City Council has voted 4-2 to dismantle the downtown clock tower located on West Main Street, igniting significant community backlash. The decision means that the clock tower will not be relocated in its current form to a different location in or near downtown Spartanburg.
Despite the removal, historic elements such as the clock, the bell, and the names of children who donated for its construction in the 1970s will be displayed at the new city-county joint government building. Those in favor of the dismantling included Mayor Jerome Rice and council members Janie Salley, Ruth Littlejohn, and Meghan Smith. Opposing the move were council members Jamie Fulmer and Erica Brown, both of whom expressed concerns about the clock tower’s removal.
The council’s decision was primarily influenced by plans for Project Core, a major investment initiative led by The Johnson Development Group that aims to revitalize West Main Street. This project includes the construction of Fifth Third Park baseball stadium, new apartments, office space, and a hotel on the site where the Herald-Journal building once stood. The redesign of the roadway necessitates the removal of the clock tower, a move that has sparked debate within the community.
Community Concerns and Alternative Proposals
During the heated council meeting, several community members expressed strong opposition to the decision to dismantle the clock tower. Opinions likened the landmark to London’s Big Ben, questioning if such a significant historical marker should be removed from the city. One resident emphasized the clock tower’s deep-rooted connection with Spartanburg’s identity and the need to honor local history.
While some council members supported relocating the clock tower rather than dismantling it entirely, concerns were raised about the accessibility of a potential museum-style display for the clock and bell at the new government building, which may only be accessible during business hours. Erica Brown highlighted the risk that the display could become less visible to the public as it could be placed in a less accessible area.
City officials have committed to exploring options for an outdoor plaza display area situated between the new building and an adjacent parking deck, which could provide a more visible location for the clock and bell. Construction on the new local government center is set to begin in October, with the promise that the new facility will become the state’s first joint city-county complex under one roof, funded by a voter-approved sales tax increase in 2017.
Planning and Development Goals
The planned enhancements to West Main Street, including improved streetscaping, aim to create a better Main Street experience for future generations while driving economic growth in the area. This development project encompasses several local streets, including South Church, Kennedy, West Broad, and South Spring Streets.
Although the clock tower will unfortunately be removed, city manager Chris Story has indicated that the design of the new local government center will feature a clock tower motif reminiscent of the first local government building from the 19th century. There were significant efforts from the community to prevent the removal of the clock tower, including a petition that gathered thousands of signatures and attempts to invoke the South Carolina Heritage Act for its protection. It’s worth noting that the clock has been relocated three times prior, making this the fourth move in its history.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- WSPA News
- Google Search: Spartanburg clock tower
- GoUpstate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Fox Carolina
- Google News: Spartanburg clock tower vote
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