Big Ballantyne development approved
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Huge ‘Ballantyne Reimagined’ project gets City Council OK on 10-1 vote; 2,000 apartments and retail on the way
by Tony Mecia
Developer Northwood Office received the go-ahead on Monday night to proceed with plans designed to inject new life into the center of Ballantyne by building a mix of restaurants, retail and apartments near the Ballantyne hotel.
On a 10-1 vote, the Charlotte City Council approved a rezoning request for 454 acres that encompasses parts of the Ballantyne Corporate Park and the nearby golf course. The plan, called “Ballantyne Reimagined,” calls for 2,000 apartments, 300 townhouses, 300,000 s.f. of retail and 400,000 s.f. of new office space in two phases. It is unclear when construction might start.
Northwood has described the development as transformational for the Ballantyne area, with a modern layout and amenities and enhancing recreational and entertainment possibilities for nearby residents:
For the last year, the city has worked closely with Northwood to address a variety of concerns about the project, including worries about increased traffic and a desire by some council members to include additional affordable housing. The project will include 260 affordable-housing units, aimed at tenants making between 50% and 80% of the region’s median income.
The lone “no” vote on Monday, council member Renee Johnson of the University City area, said she wanted affordable housing that was available to tenants at 30% of the area’s median income. She had not voiced that concern in several earlier meetings on the plans but said that because of recent protests, the need for affordable housing seems especially current.
Mayor Vi Lyles replied: “We are actually getting affordable housing in a place that was never considered before. … This is the first tool that we have to put housing for anybody that’s under wealthy or working wealthy in south Charlotte. I hope we will continue to have this model available for us.”
Some Ballantyne residents were also concerned about the effect on school crowding. Northwood has said that the development will add to the tax base and create more money for schools and other government priorities.
The rezoning affects large swaths of land on each side of Johnston Road, but most of the initial work will be on the east side, by the Ballantyne hotel:
At a series of public meetings and hearings, there did not seem to be the widespread opposition that can doom such projects. Many Ballantyne residents seem to think that although the development will generate additional traffic, it might also be neat to have additional entertainment options.
Plans call for an amphitheater, restaurants and lots of green space and walking trails, and an eventual connection to a light rail line. It will have more than 100 acres of open space, 3.4 miles of walking trails, four parks and more than 6 miles of bike lanes.
A 46-year-old Ballantyne resident told The Ledger in January: “The part I like is more restaurants and things to do and the live music venue. I can see that being a family thing, to go hang out and stroll the park and listen to music on the weekend. But the problem is we don’t need more people out here.”
The Charlotte Ledger is an e-newsletter and web site publishing timely, informative, and interesting local business news and analysis Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, except holidays and as noted. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire; Reporting intern: David Griffith
I ask because I live Uptown and the Parks Department has sold Marshall Park and the city a park between 7th St. and Parkside Terrace and said the reason was that the city needs affordable housing where people can walk to work. There is NO neighborhood in Charlotte that needs parks more than Uptown. It is SO mean and infuriating. Last I heard they are using affordable housing as an excuse to tear down an art deco building that is listed on N. Tryon and 8th St. I am not at all against more affordable housing Uptown, we have many empty lots, but our parks!!!! This Ballantyne project better being making a significant contribution to our friends who need affordable housing.
How many affordable housing units? This sounds like a perfect opportunity for walk to work and good schools.