Charlotte One Step Closer To Decision On Eastland Mall

CHARLOTTE, NC — The City of Charlotte is one step closer to deciding what will replace the old Eastland Mall site.

Developers gave city council members four options Monday, and East Charlotte residents showed up to hear the plans.

City Council could vote on what will go there as early as April or May.

For nearly eight years, it’s been a desolate spot.

“It was very sad when it started to decline,” said East Charlotte resident Carolyn Millen.

CEO of Greater Charlotte Multiplex wants to create a family-oriented spot with a child development center, activities like laser tag and golf, rooftop restaurants and an amphitheater.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Reed. “If you noticed what took place when Eastland Mall went down, so did a lot of business in the area. This will redevelop that.”

Click here to view the multiplex documents and photos.

Second, Eastland Community Development, Inc. and The Fallon Company are planning a mixed-use development with a sports complex, hotel, and apartments.

Click here to view documents and photos from their presentation.

“The goal would be to deliver the entire site within five years,” said Brad Bartholomew with the Odell design team.

A third option presented by Crosland Southeast, Jim Gross Company, and Bailey Patrick/MPV Properties. It could include housing, green space, with restaurants and shops. Think Blankeney.

“Unless you get people to live in the area, full time, in the right type of housing, no matter what you put there is not going to work,” said one team member.

Click here to view documents and photos from that presentation.

The fourth option came from Legacy Group.

It would include housing, senior housing, retail, and employment training.

“It’s all about impact, social impact,” said Legacy Group’s Kimberly Edmonds.

To review Legacy Group’s plan, click here.

When the mall opened in 1975, it was thriving as the largest shopping mall in the state. The city tore it down after it closed in 2010. Now, the only evidence it ever existed is a huge empty parking lot left behind.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bought part of the land and is building a school there.

Council Member Matt Newton called for Monday’s meeting so residents could hear the options.

The design can change based on community input.

“I still have my hopes that it can still become something even greater than it was when I was growing up,” said Carolyn Millen.

Developers now determine how much money they will need from the city to build and determine how much money the site will bring to the community.

Expect more decisions to come down in April. Staff will choose a plan and recommend that to City Council’s Community Development Committee.
The committee will then hand a full recommendation down to the council. Then, there will be a vote.