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Airport expansion threatens neighborhood

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 100 families in the Steeleberry Acres neighborhood close to West Boulevard and near Charlotte Douglas International Airport are worried about the future of their homes, concerned they could be destroyed.

The airport wants to build a runway, add a new parking garage and expand two concourses but it doesn't have any more room to do that on its current property, so the expansion plans are expected to take over a nearby neighborhood.

West Boulevard would also be relocated a mile south.

The three new road options would shift it close to Douglas Drive, which runs through Steeleberry Acres.

"You don't buy a property and assume someone, someday is going to knock on it, put their price tag on it and walk away from your home. It's disheartening and disgusting," resident Louis Lasne said.

"We're not living very expensive lives, and this is a gift to us to be in such a wonderful neighborhood," resident Crystal Raush said.

The airport could apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for grant money to buy out the residents.

Residents said they still haven't been told whether the airport or commercial and industrial buildings will buy them up.

"Is the airport going to (give) us (a) fair value of our property and house? That's our main concern," resident Keith Cain said.

"This was supposed to be our forever home for my family and my grandkids, but now, that opportunity is being threatened," realtor Desiree Helm said.

She said new families keep moving into the doomed neighborhood because no one warns them what's happening.

"There's nothing in any of the county, city zoning limits that would indicate that this property was potentially being rezoned," Helm said.

The FAA is now studying the impact the airport's plans would have on neighbors. If the expansion continues to move forward, the project is expected to be finished within 10 years.

The airport's plans include a new 12,000-foot runway.

The concourse improvements would also create at least 20 additional gates for flights.

The plans are expected to reduce delays and help the airport offer more flights.

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