A Controversial High Rise Could Be Coming To The Midtown Area

CHARLOTTE, NC.–  A controversial high rise could be coming to the midtown area. The proposed rezoning would allow a 20 story building at Third and Fourth Streets and Baldwin and Lillington Avenues.

The high rise is raising concerns about safety in the area. Some residents want to save the tall buildings for Uptown and keep the neighborhood feel. Others are welcoming new development.

Arthur Cohen works out right around the corner from his house at Crown Town Athletics at Fourth and Baldwin–for now.

“To see something replace this and having to go to wherever this facility moves to will be very difficult,” says Cohen.

Cohen’s gym might have to find a new home. It’s part of where NAI Southern Real Estate proposed a rezoning for this almost three and a half acre plot. Putting a 530,000-square-foot, 20 story high rise. Plus a hotel with 240 rooms.

“It’s just kind of sad to me. it seems like we already have districts with those kinds of high rises. It seems like we’re forcing all of the small businesses out,” says Myers Park resident Robert Sherrill.

The Board of Directors of the Myers Park Homeowners Association Pamela May tells WCCB the high rise will look out of place and will create too much traffic. Some other Myers Park residents agree.

Charlotte City Councilman Larken  Egleston says they’re working with NAI Southern Real Estate to set aside money to help with traffic patterns in that area.

“To make sure there aren’t people cutting through the neighborhood, speeding through the neighborhood or making it dangerous for folks to walk around in Cherry,” says Egleston.

Stephanie Titus lives in the Cherry neighborhood and says she’s for it.

“I think it’ll be great for our neighborhood and the community. I love that Midtown is being focused on for office development and retail. I think it’s wonderful,” says Titus.

Charlotte City Council will vote on the proposed rezoning on Monday.