Auro Hotels gives $500,000 to Unity Park

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Auro Hotels has contributed $500,000 to help fund construction of the pedestrian bridge in Greenville’s Unity Park, the largest public contribution announced to date. The Auro Bridge will span the Reedy River in the center of the 60-acre park on the west side of Greenville, according to a news release.

“Auro Bridge will symbolize the bridge Greenville has extended to the minority communities,” said D.J. Rama, president and CEO of Auro Hotels. “It represents the reception my family has received from the Greenville community since making our home here in 1977.”

The contribution from Auro Hotels is among nearly $3.5 million in sponsorships and $1.5 million in in-kind donations to date. Fundraising for the park began in April 2018 and has involved more than 70 meetings involving more than 130 guests representing 43 corporations, boards, commissions, foundations and private individuals, the release said.

Groundbreaking for the park is scheduled for the spring with river restoration expected to begin in the fourth quarter. Portions of Unity Park are expected to open in 2021.