CHARLOTTE — The Sterling neighborhood in south Charlotte looks very different from what it was earlier this year. Homes are being torn down left and right. Sounds of construction vibrate throughout the community.
Isaac Washington says he still isn’t used to them.
“It’s kind of hell,” he said. “I’m the closest one they dynamite to and you can just feel the house really shaking for 60 seconds or more.”
Washington said he has lived in his home off Aileen Circle for nearly 50 years. He said never expected what’s happened over the last few months. A developer is building luxury properties all around him and plots of freshly vacant land and brand new houses are already popping up.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Last residents of south Charlotte neighborhood move after being forced out ]
Last week was the deadline for dozens of neighbors to be out of their homes.
“This neighborhood ain’t no neighborhood anymore,” he said. “It belongs to the new developers.”
Washington said he is determined to stay, but it hasn’t always been easy. His phone is filled with calls and voicemails from people asking about his house. He said for years, the new developer has been trying to get access to an easement that runs along his property and in the past few months, he got an unsolicited offer of $180,000 for his home.
“Why I won’t sell,” he said. “Well, where can I find a house for $180,000?”
MORE PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Residents forced out of south Charlotte homes say pressure continues to move out now
- First of 2 deadlines pass for families being forced out of homes in south Charlotte
- Residents forced out of homes in south Charlotte hold yard sale ahead of move
- Nonprofits offer help for families in south Charlotte forced to leave homes
- Residents scramble to find new place to live after notice to vacate from new landlord
- Area surrounding Sterling neighborhood undergoes changes; residents forced out
An attorney for Legal Aid, a nonprofit law firm that has been helping Sterling residents, said Washington has rights.
“A private party cannot force another private party to sell,” Isaac Sturgill, an attorney for Legal Aid, said. “The government can take property through eminent domain and sometimes a private owner can lose their home to foreclosure (in which case there is a public auction). But generally, a private party cannot force a private owner to sell.”
While at times the pressure can feel intense, Washington said he isn’t selling unless he is fairly compensated.
“If you got a piece of land, it’s best to keep it,” he said. “I’m going to keep it.”
The project behind Washington’s home is the Blu South townhome project. Blu South is connected to River Investment Properties, which is the company that told dozens of residents they had to leave by the end of last month.
(WATCH BELOW: South Charlotte neighborhood where renters were forced out is now construction zone)
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