Rally Held Opposing New School on Former Eastland Mall Property

CHARLOTTE, NC – Opponents of plans to build a school at the old Eastland Mall site are urging city leaders not to sell to CMS.

“It’s just, you know, it’s not the right fit,” says East Charlotte resident Ed Garber.

Dozens rallied Saturday, hoping City Council will reconsider the latest plan to re-develop the property.

“We need to think big. And the City Council has told us in the past that they’re gonna think big. And this is not thinking big,” Garber says.

Council is set to vote later this month on the plan which would sell 11 acres to CMS for $650,000 to build a magnet school.

Eastland Mall closed nearly six years ago. The city brought the property and it has remained empty, despite several ambitious plans, including one that would have put a movie studio there.

“Especially in this corridor, we need an economic engine,” says East Charlotte resident Darrell Bonapart.

He and others say they’re worried the school will keep other development away.

“We have been expecting something that will bring the economic vitality that is needed out here,” Bonapart explains.

But some City Council members say the school and other businesses can co-exist.

James Mitchell, chair of the Economic Development committee told WCCB, “The school will not hurt future economic development in this site. We can divide the 80 acres into several districts… I think the success of this magnet school can help develop a mixed use community on other vacant parcels.”

But opponents like Garber say they’re worried the city is making the wrong move.

“Some of the elected officials have said, ‘Well, people said you know we haven’t done anything so we’re going to do something,’ it’s like ‘something’ isn’t necessarily the right thing,” Garber says.