250 new apartments to be built near busy Park Road Shopping Center area

City leaders voted on a handful of projects that will have a big impact south of uptown.

A battle over apartments and townhomes in South Park that has lasted over two years came to an end Monday night.

All around Melrose Place, the city of Charlotte keeps growing.

But that progress has now hit too close to home for the folks who live there.

"I love it here, but unfortunately, I understand that the place is old," one resident of the apartment complex told us.

Melrose Place is set to be replaced with a new 250-unit apartment and townhome complex.

Every resident Channel 9 spoke with said they don't know where they're going to go.

"My wife she is sick, she has a lot of doctors around here, and we don't know what to do," resident Rashad Abid told us.

And every day, Abid and his wife Jenny, like so many of their neighbors, walk to nearby stores.

"I don't drive," Jenny told us. "It's very convenient, so it's going to be quite a lifestyle change."

"I don't know where I'm going to go, to be honest," another said. "I'm going to look in Rock Hill because I can’t afford Charlotte."

One resident said they pay $700 a month for a large one-bedroom at Melrose Place.

A recent report from "Real Data" found the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte is now $1,115.

"It's not good for our middle-income, working people, like me," one woman told us. "I make a fairly good living but I can't afford $800-900 a month."

The developer released the following statement:

“We look forward to producing a product to better meets the higher density needs of our growing and evolving city of Charlotte.

The current residents of Melrose Place Apartments will NOT be required to vacate until mid-2018.

Once a final occupancy date is established, we will provide current residents with sufficient advanced notice for the required move.

We are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for current residents of Melrose Place Apartments.

Residents have the option to stay until the final occupancy date at their current rent rate. Resident security deposits will be refunded. Residents who stay throughout the full duration up to the final occupancy date will receive the last month rent free. We will compile a list of comparable area properties, along with contact information, to assist current residents in relocating to other suitable housing.”

Council votes on changes for South End neighborhood

Council members also approved changes to the old Phat Burrito site on Monday.

[ [PREVIOUS SOUTH END COVERAGE: City council approves new office building in South End] ]

A developer wants to put a new restaurant or entertainment facility on the property.

The remodeling would include a larger outdoor area for seating. Some of the older buildings next to the old Phat Burrito site would be demolished to help make that possible.

Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera said it is important that the area doesn't lose its character.

“It's a balance and it requires an art to make sure it is the right balance,” Ajmera said.

A tenant has not been named for the old Phat Burrito site.

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