Next Leg Of I-485 Could Steer Future Of Northlake Mall Area

Police and developers around Charlotte's Northlake Mall said Thursday they're gearing up for big changes once the next leg of Interstate 485 opens.

The contractor working on the section of 485 that will tie Highway 16 into Interstate 77 told Eyewitness News his crews are working overtime to finish the job by the end of the month.

The Oct. 31 completion date is a year and a half later than the company had originally promised, but developers said it's sure to bring more investment into the Northlake area.

"As the amenities get here, rooftops will come, and when rooftops come, offices will be here," said Charles Jonas, a developer with Trinity Partners.

Jonas said exits off 485 onto Harris Boulevard and I-77 will bring people from other counties to the Northlake area.

Police are also looking forward to the new highway, which will make it easier for them to get from one side of their district to the other a lot more quickly.

Capt. Andy Leonard, who supervises the North Division of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, said the outer belt will also bring more people, and possibly more crime, but they're confident that strategies they've used to cut crime in parking lots will work when the new highway is open.

"A lot of it has to do with the work we've done with hotels and restaurants, and working with mall security," Leonard said.