Charlotte apartment complex demolition to force hundreds of residents out

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some neighbors at a southeast Charlotte apartment complex just found out they only have a few weeks to find another place to live.

They live at the Silver Oaks Apartments on Monroe Road near Independence Boulevard.

Residents will learn about the project Tuesday night that is forcing them to move.

The owner will speak about his plan to demolish the complex and build something new.

The apartments are home to about 280 families, but soon it will be demolished to make room for brand new apartments, retail and office space.

"I found out (by) word of mouth at the bus stop," said resident Ariana Cancel.

Rose Doherty said she heard the news from neighbors last week and on Monday she went to the office to confirm.

"She confirmed it's closing down and between December and Jan. 3 we would be asked to vacate," Doherty said.

The owner of the complex didn't want to talk on camera, but over the phone he told Channel 9 that every lease will be honored until it expires. Once that happens, residents will be given 30 days to vacate.

But Tuesday families said many of them had no idea about this and feel they should have been given more time to prepare.

"It's Christmas time, no one has money. They are spending money on Thanksgiving dinners and children's gifts. There are a lot of families with children that are going to be homeless," Cancel said.

Cancel was homeless before she moved to the apartments. She uses Rapid Rehousing dollars to help pay her rent and with a baby coming next month she said she doesn't know if she'll have the money to move.  

"The shelter is not something I have to go back to," Cancel said.

The owner of the property said redevelopment of the apartments has been news in the neighborhood for years now.

He said he first received approval to rezone and redevelop the property in 2011.

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