Charlotte leaders to discuss $70 million communications center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council will vote Monday on the next steps for a new Joint Communications Center in north Charlotte.

Eyewitness News anchor Scott Wickersham went through the latest plans to uncover the cost and how many jobs it will bring into north Charlotte.

Eventually, 460 jobs will be moving to the new 911 communications center.

City leaders said the center has already sparked interest from private developers who might want to build nearby.

The old warehouse at Statesville Road and Graham Street is now empty.

The new fire headquarters, which just opened next to that lot, will be a topic of discussion for rezoning at Monday's meeting.

The project would be the communications' nerve center for police and fire dispatch , emergency operations, 311, the Department of Transportation and the Sheriff's Office.

Residents in the area said that part of Charlotte hasn't experienced the growth of areas like South End.

 "It needs a boost," Cynthia Osborne said. "A big boost with shopping."

 "I think it will bring more apartments, better housing," Ruth Wilson said.

But it comes at a hefty price tag for taxpayers of an estimated $70 million, and it won't be easy to build.

Plans said the building needs to withstand "natural hazards" and "chemical, biological and radiological attacks."

The secure facility will have checkpoints and barriers and must be self-sustainable with fuel, water and generators.

It will also have supplies and sleeping areas to support personnel for extended periods.

Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes thinks it will help lift up a part of Charlotte now showing early signs of new life.

"You can look to Brightwalk, a residential development taking place there, and there are some other parcels (that) I think are ripe for development as retail or office uses ," Barnes said.

Almost $8 million of the cost will be for demolition and renovation of existing buildings on the site and another $2.3 million for additional land purchases.

The new center could be open in 2018.

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