Dilworth neighbors wary after property vacant since 1990s now under contract

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Amid a growing city, more changes are coming to Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood.

A well-known lot sits at East Boulevard and Scott Avenue. Over the years, the vacant land has been used for a number of things ever since its owners demolished a restaurant on the site in the 1990s.

However, something much more permanent could be coming now that the land is under contract to Selwyn Property Group -- and the area’s growth has some neighbors concerned.

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“We scouted for three years finding exactly where we wanted to live in Charlotte,” said homeowner Leslie Pemberton. “Uptown, Myers Park, Plaza Midwood. This is where we picked. It’s like a small town inside of a big city and that’s what we love.”

The land is worth more than $1.2 million, according to the county’s property tax evaluation. While the developer hasn’t said how much they paid for the property or what they plan to use it for, neighbors said they know exactly what they don’t want to see.

“Not another office building,” said Pemberton.

The developer said the changes in the neighborhood are what make it an attractive investment. But it’s just one of many changes, with Atrium Health looking to expand its 70-acre main campus.

A medical office developer out of Winston-Salem already purchased the Starbucks across the street, and neighbors are taking notice.

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“It is changing a lot, there’s a lot of construction, obviously,” said homeowner Kevin Patrick. “I’ve only been here 12 months and there are brand new apartment complexes everywhere.”

Neighbors are adamant about keeping Dilworth small and quaint.

“We want to see little restaurants and little stores, and keep it a small neighborhood,” said Pemberton.