As you walk through Unity Park, you may notice a new tower in the center of the park. No, it’s not the Honor Tower quite yet, but it will give you some details about what’s to come.
Featuring the latest renderings, the new display gives Greenvillians a glimpse of the tower’s design in its location for the first time.
The Thomas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower was designed by architect Paul Endres of California-based endrestudio. He says he hopes the design “unifies the city and helps bring people together.”
The full funding for the $11 million tower was secured in December 2022:
- $5.5 million came from private donations
$3.5 million came from the local accommodations tax
The City collects a local 3% tax on hotel and motel charges within Greenville’s city limits, and state law says a portion of that revenue must be spent on tourism-related items.
$1 million came from the hospitality tax
The City collects a 2% tax on food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) sold in the city limits and the funds must be used for tourism-related activities and improvements.
- $1 million came from Unity Park construction savings
The City will break ground on the tower this year, just south of the Reedy River between what used to be two segregated parks — Mayberry and Meadowbrook.