HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — In the early 20th century, the Anchor Mill site in Huntersville was booming. Dress ginghams were manufactured there, and it was the centerpiece of town.
Soon, the mill will once again be the heart of Huntersville.
"This will be the catalyst we have been needing and looking for to change downtown," Commissioner Rob Kidwell said.
Huntersville leaders approved a $1.3 million sale to a developer who plans to put luxury apartments, retail stores and restaurants on the 30 acres of property.
Kidwell said the project will fundamentally change the area.
In October, Channel 9 reported how the traffic flow changes are coming to downtown Huntersville to prepare for the revitalization.
Kidwell thinks this project is only the beginning.
"It will create a more walkable downtown, and hopefully more businesses will say, ‘They are building that downtown? Let's go there and do that, too,'" he said.
For many residents, the project is welcome, and they are hoping that with new properties comes more attention to the Lake Norman town.
"It's a good place to be away from Charlotte," resident Brandi Davis said. "It can be like a party but also suburb."
Huntersville leaders say as part of the deal, 3 acres of green space will be added to downtown as well. The goal is for part of construction to be complete by 2018.
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