CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County commissioners agreed to join the city of Charlotte in providing millions of dollars in tax breaks for the Eastland redevelopment project.
The currently vacant 78 acres which was once home to Eastland Mall will be prepped for redevelopment soon. Once a thriving catalyst for east Charlotte, Eastland will once again be a destination in the coming years.
“As someone who remembers a thriving Eastland and the surrounding area, I am ready to fill the void,” Commissioner Mark Jerrell said.
Eastland will be home to office space, retail and restaurants along with 485 residential units. According to the county, 85 of the units will be affordable housing for seniors. The remaining units will be for sale or rental. The price for the remaining 400 units will be market rate.
Eastland will also be home to Charlotte FC’s academy with opportunities for public use in addition to professional soccer practices and events.
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“We have been talking about that land on that side of town forever,” Commissioner Vilma Leake said. “There were many recommendations on that side of town that fell apart.”
The city of Charlotte has committed to reimburse 45% of new city property taxes generated by the redevelopment of Eastland to the developer for a period of 20 years. The city asked the county to contribute the same. For the city, it’s a cost of nearly $4 million. For the county, it’s a cost of nearly $7 million.
That money will be used for infrastructure improvements like new roads, water and sewer lines. It will also go to a new parking deck with 300 spots.
Appearing virtually, Commissioner Pat Cotham urged colleagues to pass the deal with no conditions.
“I do not want to derail all of the work that has been done,” she said. “I don’t want Mr. Tepper to get mad and leave.”
Several county commissioners expressed concern about being left out of the conversation and wished the city and developer approached them sooner. Cotham voted against the measure over language included in the resolution.
There will be 13 soccer fields at Eastland and all of them but two will be slated for public use. Charlotte FC will hold at least 100 days of events at its academy each year.
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