From industrial roots to taxpayer-funded community treasure: The story of POPS
Forest City officials agreed to fund $141k to support the amphitheater next year, but they don't appear to be asking the community about the type of events people want.
The Pavilion on Park Square (POPS) has emerged as a beacon of community revitalization, transforming a former industrial site into a vibrant public space. This project is a testament to the town’s innovative spirit and collaborative efforts, supported by the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Brownfields Program and the Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act (DSCA) Program, according to a 2022 news release.
Completed in 2019, POPS boasts a 2,000-seat amphitheater, a covered stage, two splash pads, and a plaza. Located adjacent to historic downtown Main Street and the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, POPS has quickly become a hub for community activities and events. Notably, it has gates, which allow officials to enact stricter security measures.
Rutherford County Commissioner-elect Donnie Haulk, who owns the event space At138, located across from POPS, reported property damage in 2021, according to police records. He detailed how he helped revitalize his building and discussed the area in a series of videos before the March primary election.
Earlier this month a few notable events were held including the Cherry Bounce Festival, a showing of the movie Barbie, and a Juneteenth celebration. POPS will be included in the town’s Burnt Chimney Social District, scheduled to launch on July 1.
At Monday’s town council meeting, Forest City officials voted to pass the $45.5M 2024-25 budget, which includes $141,278 for POPS, according to the budget ordinance. That is less than other parks and recreation expenditures. The golf course, parks and playgrounds, the Callison recreation center and the library will get more funds than POPS. (Read the full budget on the town’s website.)
How did POPS come to be what it is today?
Forest City acquired the property and partnered with DEQ’s Brownfields Program to safely redevelop the area in 2004. The Brownfields Agreement, finalized in 2006, set the groundwork for the site's transformation with specific land-use restrictions. Although the original plan for commercial and residential development was reconsidered after the 2008 economic downturn, a $200,000 cleanup grant from the EPA in late 2008 allowed for necessary soil treatment and removal, enabling future redevelopment.
“The Town of Forest City had the foresight in 2004 to engage with the Brownfields Program, leading to a remarkable transformation of a blighted central area,” said Tracy Wahl, NC Brownfields Program Western District Supervisor. “The collaborative efforts among the town, Division of Waste Management programs, the EPA, and numerous consultants and contractors are now visible in the beautiful results.”
A key player in this transformation was the DSCA Program. Established to address contamination from dry-cleaning solvents, the DSCA Program assists in assessing and cleaning up contaminated sites across North Carolina. The Forest Dale Cleaners site, certified into DSCA in 2015, benefited from the program’s comprehensive assessment and remediation efforts. DSCA staff collaborated closely with town representatives and developers to ensure safe redevelopment, including the incorporation of vapor mitigation measures.
Once the bustling Florence Mill, built in the 1800s and employing over 300 people, the POPS site spanned seven acres. It included various facilities like the Forest Dale Dry Cleaners, Blanton Hotel, and Forest Dale Laundry. However, the mill’s closure in 2001 left a significant void in the community. “Two warehouses and the Blanton Hotel were demolished in 2016 to make room for the new park,” according to the town’s website.
For taxpayers, the DSCA Program offers significant benefits, state officials said. Funded by taxes on dry-cleaning solvent purchases and fees from dry-cleaning businesses, the program minimizes direct costs to taxpayers while ensuring environmental safety and property revitalization. This proactive approach protects public health and stimulates economic development by making previously unusable sites available for new uses.
Odom Engineering, PLLC, Smith Construction Corporation and the Town of Forest City constructed the park, according to the town’s website.
To stay relevant and engaging for the community, POPS offers several attractions and initiatives:
Live Music Events: The amphitheater hosts a variety of concerts featuring local and regional bands, ensuring a diverse range of musical styles to appeal to all ages.
Outdoor Movie Nights: Regular movie screenings provide family-friendly entertainment, turning the park into an open-air cinema.
Splash Pads: The splash pads are a popular feature, especially during the summer months, offering a fun and safe way to cool off.
Special Events: Seasonal festivals, farmers' markets, and holiday celebrations keep the community engaged and draw visitors from surrounding areas.
Public Safety Measures: POPS prioritizes safety with well-lit areas, regular security patrols and surveillance cameras, according to their rules.
“This amphitheater symbolizes the finest in collaborative efforts,” said Mike Cunningham, DSCA Program project manager in 2022. “The dedication to managing potential risks and ensuring safety reflects the commitment of all involved parties to the well-being of Forest City’s residents.” POPS’ popularity has grown to include visitors from other areas of Rutherford County, western NC, nearby SC, and beyond.
According to the Town of Forest City Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan, last updated in March 2021, “Forest City’s Town Council decided to pay for the park using capital funds rather than financing it. The groundbreaking for the new park was held on August 23, 2017, and POPS opened to the public in April 2019…Town-sponsored events have more than tripled since the opening of POPS…The facility is owned by the Town of Forest City and is maintained and operated by the Forest City Recreation Department.”
Cops & Congress commentary on POPS: Community revitalization, economic boosts, and diverse events
Revitalization of Industrial Sites: POPS exemplifies the potential for transforming industrial sites into valuable community assets through vision, collaboration, and careful environmental stewardship.
Economic Boost through Tax-Supported Events: Tax-funded recreational activities and events can significantly stimulate the local economy by attracting visitors who are likely to spend money on local vendors and businesses.
Community Engagement and Polling: There is a noticeable lack of polling data from the town regarding community interest in POPS. Regular accessible polling could provide valuable insights into what types of events and activities residents would prefer. (Although they are the only known area town using TikTok, but the videos are not captioned for deaf people like me.)
Community-Centric Approach: By actively seeking community input, the town can better align POPS programming with residents' interests, potentially increasing attendance and local economic benefits.
Environmental Management: The successful transformation of POPS highlights the importance of diligent environmental management in repurposing industrial sites for public use.
Vision and Collaboration: The rebirth of POPS underscores the importance of vision and collaboration among stakeholders to achieve sustainable community development.
Potential for Increased Participation: Enhanced communication and polling efforts could lead to increased community participation in POPS events, further boosting local commerce and community spirit.
Sustainable Development: POPS serves as a model for sustainable development, demonstrating how former industrial areas can be revitalized to serve the public and support economic growth.
Event Diversity: With better community feedback, POPS could diversify its events to cater to a wider range of interests, ensuring broader community engagement.
Public-Private Partnerships: The transformation of POPS illustrates the benefits of public-private partnerships in creating spaces that serve the community and drive economic growth.
Diverse Music Events: Offering a variety of music events that appeal to different tastes can attract a wider audience and enrich the cultural life of the community.
Adult-Centered Night Events: Introducing adult-centered night events can provide entertainment options for different demographics, increasing the appeal of POPS as a versatile venue.
Enhanced Security Measures: Ensuring robust security at events will make attendees feel safe and encourage more people to participate, contributing to the overall success of POPS.
Four virtual methods town leaders (in Forest City and elsewhere) could use to poll the community about their preferences
Online Surveys:
Utilize platforms like SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or dedicated municipal websites to create accessible online surveys.
Promote the surveys via social media, the town’s website, and local news outlets (email me) to reach a broad audience.
Virtual Town Hall Meetings:
Host regular virtual town hall meetings using platforms like Zoom, Facebook, and/or YouTube, where community members can voice their opinions and preferences. Be sure to turn on closed captioning and archive the meetings for those who want to watch them later. A YouTube account is easy and free.
Use these meetings to conduct live polls and gather instant feedback on proposed events and initiatives.
Email Campaigns:
Send out email questionnaires to residents with links to online surveys.
Include a clear call-to-action and a brief description of the survey's purpose to encourage participation.
Social Media Polls:
Leverage social media platforms that people are using frequently, like Facebook and Nextdoor, to conduct quick and informal polls.
Use these polls to gauge interest in specific events or initiatives and to reach underserved demographics.
Put it in writing - email me (CopsandCongress@gmail.com.) Tell me what is happening (at least two weeks in advance). Provide quotes and data. I don’t have the time or resources to sort through video content. I’m mostly deaf. Put it in an email. Keep it simple.
This article is free to read due to generous support from founding member subscribers. Thank you. Please support my future work. (ICYMI: Six reasons to support my independent journalism)
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Learn more about this newsletter and my background. Follow me on X (Twitter), Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Send tips and public documents for future stories: CopsandCongress@gmail.com.
(Free subscribers: Upgrade to paid to leave a comment below and don’t miss out on exclusive content.)