8-story apt. complex in Southpark to be voted on Monday night

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tonight, the Charlotte City Council will vote on a plan to build an eigth-story apartment complex just outside of Southpark in the Barclay Down neighborhood. If approved, it will be built on the corner of Barclay Downs and Morrison Boulevard. Many residents there have been fighting against it for months.

"The traffic is really going to be coming onto Barclay Downs Drive and funneling right through our neighborhoods," said Steve Demay.

The property is across the street from Symphony Park and just feet from single-family homes. Some residents petitioned for the 300-unit building on three acres to be rezoned, but that didn't happen. The project is estimated to generate $750,000 in tax revenue for the city.

The Barclay Downs homeowners association has sent letters to the mayor and city council members voicing its opposition to the project. A majority of the people who live in the area said they expected something to be built but were hoping that the developer would work with them on the scale of the project.

"It's too high, it's too big, it's too much on too little," said Demay.

Nearby restaurant Bricktop's is within walking distance of the proposed apartment complex. A manager there said they welcome it and the added business.

"I think that would be great, especially right around the corner. You could totally just walk here. The increase of business that it would bring would be incredible. The mall is right there, and we have little businesses all around here, and walking is a huge thing," said Jaime Stegall.

While the developer has made plan revisions to accommodate complaints, some residents still aren't happy. The City Council will make a final decision tonight on whether to OK the project.

WSOC