Allegations of ‘neglect and exploitation’ at assisted living facility (free version)
Plus: Former Myers Park High student seeks new trial; Commercial real estate 'Whispers'; Toppman reviews 'Hadestown'; Carolina Theatre to reopen in 2025; Widow of U.S. marshal remembers husband
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, May 8, 2024. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Editor’s note: This is a shorter, free version of The Charlotte Ledger sent to people on our free sign-up list. The complete version for paying members went out 20 minutes ago. It included:
The results of a Ledger investigation into an assisted living facility in Steele Creek that state regulators are seeking to shut down after finding repeated problems. A 117-page report we obtained alleges “serious neglect and exploitation.” The company is appealing the findings. The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling has the scoop.
The latest on the lawsuit by a former Myers Park High student who said she was sexually assaulted in the woods off campus in 2015 — a case that led to heightened attention on how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools handles sexual assault reports. Lawyers made arguments Tuesday to an appeals court in Richmond, Va. We listened in and tell you what went down.
Our popular “Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers” column. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Charlotte’s newest upscale office tower, 110 East, and what its fate might say about the Charlotte office market. We also report on a crane-related lawsuit in South End, reaction to proposed changes to Charlotte’s development rules and sizzling-hot land deals.
A look inside uptown’s Carolina Theatre, which is under renovation. Leaders of Foundation for the Carolinas, which is spearheading the project, gave reporters a tour of the progress on Tuesday — and our Lindsey Banks was there and has all the details.
Paying members also received Tuesday’s Ways of Life obituaries newsletter. This week, writer Ken Garfield explored the lives of Charlie and Penny Mills, who died nine days apart at ages 101 and 99.
The Ledger aims to tell you things you don’t know and make you smarter about our city. We don’t regurgitate press releases or rewrite day-old news. We’re finding new topics and expanding the base of knowledge, for the benefit of Charlotte. We can do that only with the help of readers like you who value an independent source of information.
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A Steele Creek assisted living facility can’t accept new residents and is at risk of losing its license
Wickshire Steele Creek is one of eight facilities operated by Tennesee-based Wickshire Senior Living, two of which are in North Carolina, the company’s website shows.
by Cristina Bolling
State regulators have barred a Steele Creek assisted living facility from accepting new residents and are pushing to revoke its license, after investigators found a string of deficiencies last fall that they said endangered residents, including improper supervision and inadequate training, state documents show.
And a more recent review, from February, concluded that two residents at the facility were sexually abused by a former maintenance director and that residents were sometimes not given their medications, and in one case given the wrong medication, according to reports from the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation, which is a division of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The 90-bed Wickshire Steele Creek community on South Tryon Street has been barred from accepting new residents since last September as a result of earlier alleged violations, according to state documents obtained by The Ledger under state public records laws. Wickshire is appealing a January decision by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to revoke its license to operate, documents show.
It remains open and licensed as it awaits an appeal hearing, which a state administrative hearings official told The Ledger is tentatively scheduled for late July.
A corporate spokeswoman for Tennessee-based Wickshire Senior Living, the parent company of Wickshire Steele Creek, did not respond to multiple phone calls or emails from The Ledger. An employee who answered the phone at the Steele Creek facility referred calls to the company’s corporate office, telling The Ledger “we have no comment here.”
In replies to state regulators, the company has asked that the findings be reversed and said the incidents were less serious than regulators believe. The company also said it has complied with state regulations and that it can fix deficiencies within a reasonable time period.
State regulators have not publicly called attention to the findings. Some of the information is available on the state’s website.
Wickshire Steele Creek describes itself on its website as providing “a relationship-centered senior living community that empowers our residents, families, associates and community members to live their best lives.”
It advertises that it provides assisted living and memory care services, and state records show that it contains 42 assisted living beds and 48 special care unit beds. As of Jan. 30, 58 residents were living at the facility, state records show.
It has held a zero stars rating from the state since August 2023, and had a score of -109 for citations and noncompliance with state rules.
A 117-page statement of deficiencies filed by the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation dated February 2024 included details of what state health department officials uncovered while investigating the facility. Inspectors said that they concluded:
➡️ Want to see what N.C. assisted living facilities have faced penalties by state regulators? The N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation’s Adult Care Licensure Section keeps a list online of adult care homes that have faced or are facing penalties, organized by county. Check out the list here.
Cristina Bolling is managing editor of the Ledger: cristina@cltledger.com
Former Myers Park student asks appeals court for a new trial in sexual assault lawsuit; Jury had sided with CMS and CMPD
A former Myers Park High student who said she was sexually assaulted off-campus in 2015 asked an appeals court in Richmond on Tuesday to grant her a new trial, after a federal jury last year sided with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police in her lawsuit.
In a 45-minute hearing, lawyer Laura Dunn said the former student, identified in court proceedings as Jane Doe, deserves to have the jury’s verdict overturned because, she said, District Court Judge Robert Conrad improperly limited evidence that the jury could hear and released from the case the school resource officer who took the initial report.
Dunn accused
Related Ledger articles:
“What happened in the woods?” (Sept. 1, 2021)
“Myers Park High sex assault trial: Lawyers offer 2 contrasting views” (🔒, Jan. 18, 2023)
“Jury sides with CMS on Myers Park case” (Jan. 21, 2023)
Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers 🤫: ‘Flight to quality’ theory gets tested; South End crane controversy; UDO modification panned
Welcome to another tantalizing installment of Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers, our occasional column that unveils the sultry secrets of building sales, rezonings and irresistible real estate intrigue just for you. Prepare to be seduced by the hottest insights, as the most forbidden secrets pique your professional curiosity.
In today’s installment of Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers:
The real estate industry's “flight to quality” theory, which suggests that new Charlotte office buildings are faring well while older ones struggle, is facing a crucial test as the new 110 East is open for business. The newly finished South End tower has yet to announce any tenants.
The owner of a South End retail building is suing Portman Holdings and J.E. Dunn Construction, alleging that cranes from the adjacent Linea luxury apartment construction have repeatedly dropped debris, causing damage and raising safety concerns.
A Charlotte advisory zoning committee has largely opposed a city planning staff proposal to mandate more green space on large lots, arguing it could hinder housing construction by reducing the number of allowable units.
🎭 Review: ‘Hadestown’ is a cool night in hell
Ledger arts critic Lawrence Toppman got a first look Tuesday night at the touring production of “Hadestown,” which is at the Belk Theater through Sunday.
In his review for The Ledger, Toppman writes:
Hadestown may be the last stop of an infernal railroad before hell itself, but its denizens percolate with life. Hell, staffed by workers in voluntary thrall to King Hades, is a grinding swirl of grimy activity. Only the central couple stop to write a song, look into each other’s eyes, contemplate their fates.
Check out Toppman’s full review, with information if you want to go:
Restored historic Carolina Theatre to open to the public in 2025; construction slated to be finished by Thanksgiving
Nearly six years after renovations began on the historic Carolina Theatre in uptown on Tryon Street, the theater is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving and will open for shows and events in 2025.
The restored Carolina Theatre will be used for film screenings, smaller plays and dances, lectures, town hall gatherings and other civic meetings and events. A hotel is also being built over the theater.
The renovation team preserved as much of the old theater as possible to reconstruct the design of the original space. The ceiling, murals and molding were reconstructed from remnants of the crumbling theater as well as photos from Charlotte Observer archives, said project manager Sean Seifert.
Seifert and Foundation for the Carolinas CEO Cathy Bessant gave reporters a look inside the theater Tuesday.
What’s new:
Related Ledger article:
“Carolina Theatre is on track for fall completion” (March 11)
Quotable: A law enforcement widow’s plea
Kelly Weeks — the widow of U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks, one of four law enforcement officers killed in an east Charlotte shootout last week — speaking Monday at her husband’s memorial service at Bojangles Coliseum:
I woke up every single day to a man telling me he loved me: “You’re the most beautiful woman.” “How lucky I am to have you.” What he didn’t realize is I was truly the lucky one. I had my protector always watching out. …
I received love and affection. All the time, he never let me be more than an arms-length away so that he could hold my hand or rub my back. …
I’ve been asked, “What can we do? How can we help? What do you need?” Tommy’s mission in life was to make the world safer and fight for justice.
So what do I need? I need this country to come together to support our law enforcement officers so they can continue to fight for justice like my husband did. Thank an officer, every single day. Encourage our children to show police officers the proper respect.
This tragedy was a result of someone who did not have any regard for human life. My sincere hope is that people remember Thomas Michael Weeks Jr. for years and years to come and that memory will make them want to lift up his fellow brothers and sisters in any law enforcement capacity. …
My husband’s tragedy cannot be just another death. It has to be for something bigger, and the only way I can do that is with a group of people here to help me spread this message as far as I can get it, and I can be very loud. So I will close with: To my husband, I will love you forever, my very sweet man.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
THURSDAY: Charlotte Gem Preservation Awards, 6-8:30 p.m., The Revelry North End. The Charlotte Gem Preservation Awards celebrate Charlotte’s unique history and culture and honor projects that represent the best of historic preservation in the region. $175.
THURSDAY: SouthPark After 5, 5-9 p.m., Symphony Park. Experience live music, food trucks, and craft drinks at SouthPark After 5 at Symphony Park. On May 9, expect a ticketed Wells Fargo Golf Championship concert with live music from The Breakfast Club and Yacht Rock Schooner. Tickets start at $25.
MAY 22: An Evening with Dacher Keltner, 7-8:30 p.m., Sandra Levine Theatre. Hear from Dacher Keltner, author of “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life,” in a special presentation and moderated Q&A session followed by a short book signing. The event will take place at the Sandra Levine Theatre located within the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement at Queens University of Charlotte. Free.
◼️ Check out the full Ledger events board.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
In brief
New golf tournament name: Truist is expected to take over the title sponsorship of the Wells Fargo Championship, unnamed sources told the Sports Business Journal. The golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club is in its final year with Wells Fargo as the lead sponsor. (Biz Journal, subscriber-only)
UNC Charlotte clears protestor camp: UNC Charlotte on Tuesday cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment and detained one protestor. Chancellor Sharon Gaber said the encampment violated university policies: “These actions are not free speech. They disrupt campus operations and pose a threat to campus safety.” (WFAE)
City budget: City Manager Marcus Jones is recommending a 2024-25 city budget that raises property taxes by 1.5 cents per $100 of valuation, or $53 a year for the owner of a $359,000 home (the city median). The budget increases spending on affordable housing, transportation and employee pay. (Axios Charlotte)
SouthPark fire lawsuit: The families of two construction workers killed in the May 2023 fire in SouthPark are suing the site’s developer and contractors, alleging that they violated legal requirements that contributed to the spread of the deadly fire. (Observer)
Likely cause revealed in WBTV helicopter crash: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that inadequate inspections led to the helicopter crash that killed WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag. Loose parts crucial to the main rotor were discovered, which should have been inspected before the flight. The crash occurred during a training flight over I-77, with the helicopter losing control during the third orbit and crashing. (Observer)
Frontier has most delayed flights at CLT: Last year, about one-third of Frontier Airlines flights from Charlotte’s airport were delayed by at least 15 minutes, with 13% delayed by an hour or more and 3% canceled. Frontier attributes some delays to its network redesign but acknowledges issues with weather, air traffic control and internal operations. (Observer)
Northside Christian to close: Northside Christian Academy, a K-12 private school in north Charlotte, announced via email to parents that the school is closing its doors. The school, which is known for its boys’ basketball team, cited low re-enrollment and concerns about the viability and sustainability of the ministry. (Observer)
Earthquake detected near airport: A small earthquake, measuring 2.2 magnitude, occurred around 2:40 a.m. Monday near Charlotte’s airport. No damage was reported, and only one person reported feeling the earthquake as of 4 p.m. Monday. (WSOC)
Plaza Midwood Pizza Peel to close: The Pizza Peel said it is closing its Plaza Midwood restaurant this Saturday after 10 years and will replace it with barbecue restaurant The Improper Pig. The Cotswold Pizza Peel will remain open. (Pizza Peel on Instagram)
Randy Travis sings again, with AI: Country singer Randy Travis, who had a stroke in 2013 that stopped him from singing, is using AI technology to get his voice back. The native of Marshville, 40 minutes east of Charlotte, had his music label recreate his voice using AI by blending his original vocals with those of another singer. The result, while not perfect, captures the essence of Travis' country soul. (CBS News)
Golf tournament guide: Axios Charlotte has a guide to this week’s Wells Fargo Championship, with info on tickets, parking, related events and local vendors.
Ric Flair booted from Florida restaurant: Charlotte pro wrestling legend Ric Flair blasted a Gainesville, Fla., pizza restaurant on social media after he was asked to leave “because of an issue I had with the kitchen manager taking too long in the bathroom,” he said. Flair wrote: “I would highly recommend that anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxing time in Gainesville at a nice restaurant to never visit this place! WOOOOO!” (WSOC)
Programming note: Ledger editor Tony Mecia appears as a guest on 90.7 WFAE at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on Thursdays for a discussion of the week’s local business news in the station’s “BizWorthy” segment. Audio and transcripts are also available online.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman