ROCK HILL -- The former site of the largest textile printing and finishing mill in the world will be transformed into a mixed-use development targeted toward “active adults” who want to live near a nationally recognized university campus and near a downtown urban setting.

During a Rock Hill City Council meeting Monday, Lynn Stephenson, president of ELA Corp., outlined details of her plans for “The Bleachery” property. It would span about 24 acres along White Street between downtown Rock Hill and the campus of Winthrop University.

In recent months, ELA Winthrop, and the city of Rock Hill have been collaborating on development concepts that would capitalize on the proximity of the mill site to both the campus and the heart of the city.

Residential options will include mid-rise units, lofts, brownstones and live/work flats totaling 612 units, amidst a development that also will feature public greenways, courtyards, an outdoor performance park, restaurants, retail and offices.

“It’s a special circumstance to have the opportunity to develop a project that is in the right place at the right time for upscale baby boomers who want their post-55 lifestyle to be an active one—socially, intellectually and physically,” Stephenson said.

“Winthrop University offers a full array of those ‘college town’ opportunities, and Rock Hill is a locale where such residents can enjoy a four-season climate. It offers the appeal of small-town ambience, with all the metropolitan amenities of the Charlotte region as well. Our development also dovetails well with the economic development plans for downtown Rock Hill and with Winthrop’s expansion plans.”

Winthrop University will contribute expertise to the project by creating a “Lifelong Learning Institute” that will represent a value-added to attract buyers to the residential parts of the development, according to Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, Winthrop University president.

“All our research indicates today’s baby boomers who are planning their post-career lifestyles are intent on being actively engaged in numerous ways,” DiGiorgio said. “They want to learn new things, dive into long-time interests more deeply, keep fit, be near cultural and athletics events, travel, volunteer—and they want to live in places where all those opportunities and amenities are conveniently located.”

Stephenson detailed concepts that will take shape once the council has approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and ELA, outlining how utilities and other public infrastructure needs would be financed.

“Our goal is to convert the declining Bleachery site into a vibrant, university-related, active adult community,” Stephenson said. “We have developed strong relationships with the city of Rock Hill and Winthrop University. With these key relationships in place, we feel confident in the success of this project. With Winthrop’s instrumental collaboration, we have developed a state-of-the-art concept novel to the Southeast.”