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'A year of transformation': University City officials expect major developments in 2019

By Elsa Gillis
By Elsa Gillis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Next year is expected to be a big year of planning and building for the Charlotte community in University City.

Major development and redevelopment plans are looking to transform the area into a more walkable, livable community.

[ALSO READ: University City could see impacts of $118M bond for transportation projects vote]

"2019 is going to be a year of transformation for us," Darlene Heater with University City Partners said.

Spring 2019 will mark a year since the Blue Line Expansion and coming behind it are some major changes to the area.

Heater said the rezoning plan is to knock down much of what is on the west side of the lake at the Shoppes at University Place and create a community where people can live, work, and play.

"So the first phase of the re-development of this new center hopefully will include a library, some new neighborhood retail, and a number of residential units," Heater said. "We have a new streetscape that'll kick off end of 2019/2020, that's gonna give us an entire new front door along JW Clay Boulevard."

This plan includes bike lanes and sidewalks.

[ALSO READ: UNCC students finally move into apartment complex after months of construction delays]

The Barton Creek Greenway is also already under construction, connecting the current Mallard Creek Greenway with more of University City.

"It's wonderful when all those things start to happen all at one time," Heater said.

Some UNC Charlotte graduates told Channel 9 it would be great to not have to go to uptown for fun.

"I mean it's been really dead around here so picking it up, making it more lively, that'd be nice," resident Mike said.

Heater said they are hopeful construction for the 25-acre redevelopment of the Shoppes at University Place will start late 2019 to early 2020.

Some of the big box retailers are slated to be relocated with discussion about other impacted retailers still in the works.

[ALSO READ: Hundreds of residential units, commercial space planned at University City redevelopment]

Another huge project in the area is UNC Charlotte's campus hotel and conference center.

Heater said she expects construction will begin in 2019.

Plus, developers are still planning for a new Top Golf off University City Boulevard, which Heater said ideally will anchor a new entertainment district.

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