More development planned for dramatically different Sterling neighborhood

CHARLOTTE — In just 14 months, the Sterling neighborhood looks dramatically different. Last May, an investment firm connected to Blu South purchased numerous homes in the longstanding neighborhood and forced residents out. Now, much larger, and more expensive rental homes take their place.

Rev. David Cunningham, of the 157-year-old China Grove AME Zion Church in Sterling, estimates that in just over a year, 90% of neighbors have had to move out.

“It was a very lively community and I miss that feeling around here,” he said. “People had lived in some of those homes for 30-plus years and most of those people had to find other places to live.”

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Blu South, the developer behind all of the new homes, wants to build 186 duplexes and townhomes on vacant land in the Sterling neighborhood. Charlotte City Council held a public hearing on the project Monday night.

Councilmember LaWana Slack-Mayfield said she worried about the impact.

“Full transparency. I’m concerned about the number of developments we have coming in and the impact of developments on the community and the fact that community is being completely changed, and we are not taking care of the residents,” she said.

Cunningham says he’s concerned about the lack of affordable housing. He also has a warning that other Charlotte neighborhoods could go through this next.

“For those who think this problem is just isolated to Sterling, it can happen anywhere,” he said.

The developer didn’t share the rent for the proposed homes with Charlotte City Council. Online listings show Blu South’s current homes in the neighborhood are renting from $2600-$3700 a month.

Charlotte City Council will hold a vote as soon as next month.

VIDEO: Remaining Sterling residents say they feel pressured after neighbors forced out

Remaining Sterling residents say they feel pressured after neighbors forced out

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