Charlotte Observer: $200M Multi-Use Project Planned for South Charlotte

Deon Roberts
Charlotte Observer
Ninety acres of former farmland in south Charlotte would become a $200 million multiuse project featuring homes, medical facilities, office buildings and retail space under a plan announced Wednesday.
Charlotte-based developers Crosland Southeast and Childress Klein Properties are behind the project, slated for a large, wooded area across Providence Road from Rea Village Shopping Center and Providence Country Club. To the north of the site is Interstate 485, about half a mile away.
In a news release, the developers called the tract “one of the most desirable, undeveloped tracts in the affluent south Charlotte corridor.
“Both companies have been watching this land for years and were among a number of local and national developers who sought out the opportunity to develop it.”
As many as 180 single-family homes and town houses and 375 upscale apartments are expected.
An upscale grocery store would anchor as much as 250,000 square feet of retail space. Another 90,000 square feet is planned as restaurant and shop space.
Two office buildings, as tall as six stories each, are planned, as are two medical office buildings totaling 60,000 square feet. Parking decks are planned, as well.
No potential tenants have been announced, but developers said a pediatric clinic might be among them.
The property, at the intersection of Providence and Ardrey Kell roads, is referred to by the developers as “Matthews Family Farm” and has various family member owners. It is outside the city’s limits, falling into what’s known as its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The project is not a done deal: The developers needed to file a rezoning request and have already submitted it. A hearing is set for October. A final City Council vote isn’t likely until next year, the developers said.
Chris Thomas, a partner with Childress Klein, said Wednesday that a portion of the Matthews family will retain ownership of the property but will enter into the project through a business arrangement.
“They’ll joint-venture this project with us,” he said, adding that contracts are in place to eventually purchase the interests of other Matthews family members.
Crosland Southeast’s and Childress Klein’s names are attached to mixed-use projects in the Charlotte region, including Birkdale Village and Blakeney. Their newest project doesn’t have a name yet, though.
Plans call for the developers to extend Ardrey Kell Road into the project. Other changes are expected for the road, including putting in parallel parking, medians and a traffic circle. Developers also said they will add a traffic signal at Golf Links Drive and Providence Road.
The developers have pledged to pay for the infrastructure changes, which they said will make the area friendlier for pedestrians.
Zoning officials with the city could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Thomas on Wednesday said there hasn’t been opposition to the project.
“Between now and October we will continue …. to meet with neighbors and other stakeholders to review our plans with them and receive input from them,” he said. “The folks we’ve met with have been very supportive. I think they’re appreciative of the fact that most of the commercial development in our project has been oriented to the northern end of the property, which is away from the intersection of Providence Country Club Drive” and Providence Road.
Frank Matthews, one of the landowners, could not be reached for comment. But in a press release he’s quoted as saying Crosland Southeast and Childress Klein “will be invested with us in the long-term value of the property.”
Crosland Southeast and Childress Klein will build the commercial spaces. They have yet to announce who will build the residential units but said they are in negotiations with single- and multifamily developers.