CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's been almost five years since the old coliseum on Tyvola Road was demolished in a dramatic implosion.
It was done by a developer who planned to build a massive complex of homes, offices and shops.
But not long after the building came crashing down, so did the economy. For five years, the only thing growing on the 170 acres has been weeds.
“They were planning this big deal. But, God almighty, that's been a long time,” Charlotte resident Calvin Hunter said.
But Eyewitness News learned City Park may not be dead after all.
An Atlanta developer is about to close on a section of the land with plans to build a 278-unit apartment complex. And the original developer has plans even beyond that.
Developer Pope and Land, which still owns the site, said its vision for City Park isn't quite as grand as it once was but still includes offices, retail and eventually a hotel.
For the state farmers market that sits just behind the old coliseum site, it's news Arlene Haigler thought might never come.
“Short of downhearted when it didn't go through,” Haigler said. “It's good to know the possibility it'll work through this time.”
While later than expected, it’s still enough to give Hunter hope.
“This might be a ‘best kept secret’ if they get it going,” he said.