Downtown demolition would mean more parking

Gaffney City Council will consider today spending some of its hospitality tax to create more downtown parking and a visitors center.

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly said the city has an opportunity to purchase the Young’s Fashions building on Limestone Street. The building would be razed and the property used for a parking lot, he said.

Jolly declined to speculate what the city is willing to pay, but he added the property is appraised for $126,500.

Parking became more of an issue following a downtown revitalization project that reduced the number of curbside parking spaces on Limestone Street.

Jolly said council will also consider buying The Chronicle Place, which is appraised at $173,000. The building would be used as an artists gallery and visitors center. The city’s current visitors center is located in a small building adjacent to The Capri Theater.

“If we are successful, we would move the current visitors center to that corner (Frederick and Limestone) and establish a presence there as a welcome center as well as an artists and craftsmen gallery,” Jolly said.