MINT HILL, N.C. — For years now 215 acres of land in Mint Hill have been left abandoned at Interstate 485 and Lawyers Road with 6-foot-tall grass and empty homes.
The plans were for an 800,000 square-foot mall proposed in 2003 with retail stores, a theater and a hotel.
Initial work started in 2008 and while the developer hasn't been talking to the town about the delay lately, Friday a spokesperson spoke to Channel 9.
“I’m happy to report we are working to move ahead now, building infrastructure for the project,” Christopher Thomas, of Childress-Klein Developers, said.
Thomas said Childress-Klein's partner went bankrupt in 2008 and then the recession hit.
But now they are getting permits for improvements like road improvements, and water and sewer which they say could lead to other new development at the intersection, something residents would love to see.
“A choice of restaurants would be a nice addition,” Chris Marshall said.
“We just have a grocery. If we have more we won’t have to travel back and forth to Matthews or Charlotte,” Wanda Cain said.
But developers still said they don't know when construction of the mall will start.
They need retailers on board and said they've only had strong interest.
“As soon as we have the infrastructure and certain commitments we will be back in touch with the community,” Thomas said.
WSOC
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