Charlotte area "ring cities"

[Nick2]

19 minutes ago, tarhoosier said:

I have driven around Kannapolis a few times in the past two to three years and the downtown"revitalization" is lacking the vital element. My experience mirrors the photos above. Vistas with grand new buildings and renovations of the classic downtown streets and not a human in sight.

There was (is?) an interesting museum of the Cannon Village and Textile history in a former movie theatre (not the GEM). Still, the lack of pedestrians and activity was jarring with the imposing buildings in the area.

Maybe they're hoping for a "build it and they will come" situation to happen.

[CLT2014]

27 minutes ago, tarhoosier said:

I have driven around Kannapolis a few times in the past two to three years and the downtown"revitalization" is lacking the vital element. My experience mirrors the photos above. Vistas with grand new buildings and renovations of the classic downtown streets and not a human in sight.

There was (is?) an interesting museum of the Cannon Village and Textile history in a former movie theatre (not the GEM). Still, the lack of pedestrians and activity was jarring with the imposing buildings in the area.

The most pedestrians you will spot in Kannapolis are walking from their car to here: https://goo.gl/maps/7rLrjWzb7z1ULhDJ6 or to here: https://goo.gl/maps/bQRZ7PLfqdiT1H3S8

Edited October 28, 2019 by CLT2014

[KJHburg]

286 apartments are under construction now in downtown Kannapolis.  here is a story about the VIDA project

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/03/27/remake-of-downtown-kannapolis-continues-as-61m.html

downtown has most of streets closed until recently and the offices and research labs are more spread out.  You have to remember this was once the site of a huge textile mill that was demolished and that is why there is so much acreage downtown available.  These apartments will do a lot and all those retail spaces are owned by the city and they slowing releasing them for lease.   Come back in 1 year and tell me if you see the same thing.  You won't. 

[JacksonH]

6 hours ago, tarhoosier said:

I have driven around Kannapolis a few times in the past two to three years and the downtown"revitalization" is lacking the vital element. My experience mirrors the photos above. Vistas with grand new buildings and renovations of the classic downtown streets and not a human in sight.

There was (is?) an interesting museum of the Cannon Village and Textile history in a former movie theatre (not the GEM). Still, the lack of pedestrians and activity was jarring with the imposing buildings in the area.

I agree with KJ about this: the best days for Kannapolis are perhaps to come and it's way to early to be making judgments.  What's happening in Kannapolis are just the early stages of a very ambitious plan to transform the downtown.  It's important to understand the unusual nature of Kannapolis in that it was only came into existence in the early 1900s as a mill village owned by Cannon Mills, and became the largest mill town in the country.  It was never actually incorporated as a town or city until the early 1980s.  The way it was built and designed -- as a mill village with a Williamsburg-inspired (architecturally) downtown -- was completely contrived and probably did not reflect the normal organic growth patterns a town would generally experience.  What resulted is not a place that's conducive to walkability:  lots of small, modest wood-frame houses spread out on large lots.  And then the city has suffered greatly since the demise of Cannon Mills.  But city leaders clearly recognize they have an opportunity to turn things around.

Consider this:  In 1980, Concord had a population of less than 17,000, while neighboring Kannapolis was the big town with a population of around 28,000.  Today, the population of Concord is close to 100,000 while Kannapolis is only about 50,000.  So Concord has taken the crown away from Kannapolis in a huge way.  While both cities have grown, it's clear that Concord is way out ahead in the growth game:  Over the past four decades, Kannapolis has grown about 78% while Concord (once the little town next door) has grown by a whopping 488% (now it's Kannapolis that's the little town).  Now is the time for Kannapolis to catch some of that fire that Concord has been benefiting from.  Kannapolis, if they play their cards right, can be the next frontier in the Charlotte metro.  And perhaps they're looking to downtown Charlotte for guidance and inspiration on how to make it happen -- first with the NC Research Campus to bring some jobs into the center of their city, and next the new ballpark under construction and the big downtown apartments KJ mentioned.  Once you have people working AND living AND playing in downtown, there will be walkability and vibrance.  And when that happens there may be a domino effect with more development and more affluence in an area where that has largely never existed. 

The plans in Kannapolis are long term.  What you're seeing there now is just an early phase.  The apartments and the ballpark, which are a part of this, are only now being built.  I have to give the city leaders there credit for trying to do something.  Gastonia is on a similar path, but even if there may be a larger spark currently igniting in downtown Gastonia, I would give Kannapolis the edge on the ambitiousness of its plan.

[videtur quam contuor]

No judging. My datapoint only.

[KJHburg]

Just saw this on Twitter about downtown Kannapolis and its progress.  When the main Cannon Mills plant was wiped away it was like a blank slate the likes of which has not been seen in this area before.

https://cabarrusedc.com/news/2019/10/22/economic-development/downtown-kannapolis-revitalization-updates/

 

[KJHburg]

more K town news and what an ideal Christmas gift 

[Scribe]

Driving through Pineville (southbound 51).

There is a lot being cleared across from the Police Station with a sign for town homes.

Also noticed there are several lots for sale/under contract on the southern stretch past the railroad tracks.

[KJHburg]

from the west 240 new apartments in restored textile mill in downtown Belmont.

https://www.gastongazette.com/news/20191106/belmont-gives-go-ahead-to-chronicle-mills-redevelopment

[KJHburg]

from Huntersville Birkdale Landing project fully underway in front of Birkdale and across from Birkdale Village.

http://www.birkdalelanding.com/

Today. 

 

[KJHburg]

Kannapolis downtown news city council will vote to sell part of the block where Gem Theater is on to a developer for more retail.  These are some the now vacant retail one story buildings old part of Cannon Village. 

http://www.kannapolisnc.gov/Community/News/ID/1625/Kannapolis-Will-Consider-Sale-of-Downtown-Block-One-Properties

and a separate vote on 128 townhome project also downtown.  I told you this was the downtown ring city to watch.

http://www.kannapolisnc.gov/Community/News/ID/1624/Kannapolis-Downtown-Townhome-Project-Under-Consideration

[rancenc]

Large residential community planned on the Lincoln County/Gaston County line

https://www.lakenormanpublications.com/articles/developer-plans-662-acre-mixed-use-project/

[KJHburg]

Went up to Thanksgiving dinner in Kannapolis today after dinner walked around a bit downtown as I was feeling a little bloated LOL.

Their new downtown is really rising.  The new 5 story apartment complex, the new streetscape along West Ave, the new baseball stadium, the renovations of the old Cannon Village shops.  Very rarely in this country does  a city get to redevelop its entire downtown at once.  That is what is happening in Kannapolis the city owns most of these commercial structures and is selling them off to renovate, rehab etc   They took a 4 lane divided highway  with large oaks down the middle and converted it to a 2 lane street with parking but a horizontal park right through downtown.     Most the city owned retail buildings are vacant but they are slowly selling it for redevelop and they did this this past week around the Gem Theater which will remain as will most of the other buildings. 

1.2 first 2 photos where the 128 townhomes by Orange County CA based TriPointe Homes will go.    

3.4 Nice to see a crane in downtown Kannapolis at the apartments site. 

one of those last photos of the green grass is actually Astroturf! 

[KJHburg]

few more photos of the NC Research Campus and Kannapolis City Hall.  Plus they already have a downtown Amtrak station.  Today.  and a few more of the Baseball stadium under construction. 

[NCMike1990]

Kannapolis is such an interesting town. All the vacant land where Cannon Mills used to be offers so much potential more so than most other downtown areas.

KJ's pics show very little pedestrian activity but it should increase in the future with all the development. It will take time but it's headed in the right direction.

[KJHburg]

1 hour ago, NCMike1990 said:

Kannapolis is such an interesting town. All the vacant land where Cannon Mills used to be offers so much potential more so than most other downtown areas.

KJ's pics show very little pedestrian activity but it should increase in the future with all the development. It will take time but it's headed in the right direction.

It has great  potential and of course today was Thanksgiving yet people were walking around as it really is the biggest open space in Kannapolis.  I am telling this is the downtown to watch. 

[KJHburg]

Here is a brochure I found on the new retail space and other space available around that new apartment complex in downtown Kannapolis.

http://www.ltpcommercial.com/pilotFiles/propertyMgmt/files/Kannapolis-Development-Brochure-NC-OCT-2019.pdf

[TheOneRJ]

What is being built beside of Walmart in Huntersville at 115 and Eastfield Road? Lots of land clearing. 

[rancenc]

Two faces of growth in Gaston County from the Wilmington Star-News

https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20191212/gaston-county-shows-two-faces-of-ncs-rapid-growth

 

[QCxpat]

From today's CBJ, "Think a smaller Ayrsley: How this $130 M mixed-use development could create gateway in Gastonia" by Ken Elkins  (Subscriber paywall) 

Excerpt:  

Kent Olson believes his planned $130 million Northglenn project will serve as the northern gateway to the redevelopment of downtown Gastonia.   Olson, a principal at Development Solutions Group (DSG) of Charlotte, says the two-part project, which covers 58 acres north of the U.S. Highway 321 interchange with Interstate 85, will also help revive the Highland area of Gaston County.  ...  “It will be a beachhead on the northern end (of Gastonia)."  Olson believes Northglenn will become an oasis at the county’s busiest interchanges that handle up to 110,000 vehicles a day.   “People being able to live in the residences and walk to shopping and dinner and walk their dogs on the greenway and not have to get in their car,” he says of Northglenn's advantages.   A greenway will link the community to nearby Rankin Lake Park and Simms Park.  The entire development will be located on the Carolina Thread Mill Trail, a greenway being built to weave through the Charlotte region.   Olson is working on creating a walkable link to Gastonia’s FUSE district in downtown."  Northglenn will be divided into two sections: a $30 million, 26-acre area that includes 225 single-family attached townhomes and a $100 million, 32-acre commercial section that could house corporate offices, a hotel, a grocery store, restaurants and retail.   The commercial portion would have up to 250,000 square feet of space with 100 apartments above retail.  Olson is talking to the Gaston County Economic Development board to see if that site could serve as a home to corporate offices for a company recruited to the county.   “Think a smaller Ayrsley,” says Olson, describing the plan for the commercial part of Northglenn.  Construction should start there in early 2021.  The residential side of the project should break ground during the third or fourth quarter of 2020, Olson says."

 

Link:  https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/12/13/think-a-smaller-ayrsley-how-this-130m-mixed-use.html?  (Subscriber paywall)

https://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/  (The Carolina Thread Mill Trail)

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by QCxpat

[urbanlover568]

Kannapolis quickly becoming the next southpark!! Maybe even surpass southpark! 

[JRNYP2C]

17 hours ago, QCxpat said:

From today's CBJ, "Think a smaller Ayrsley: How this $130 M mixed-use development could create gateway in Gastonia" by Ken Elkins  (Subscriber paywall) 

Excerpt:  

Kent Olson believes his planned $130 million Northglenn project will serve as the northern gateway to the redevelopment of downtown Gastonia.   Olson, a principal at Development Solutions Group (DSG) of Charlotte, says the two-part project, which covers 58 acres north of the U.S. Highway 321 interchange with Interstate 85, will also help revive the Highland area of Gaston County.  ...  “It will be a beachhead on the northern end (of Gastonia)."  Olson believes Northglenn will become an oasis at the county’s busiest interchanges that handle up to 110,000 vehicles a day.   “People being able to live in the residences and walk to shopping and dinner and walk their dogs on the greenway and not have to get in their car,” he says of Northglenn's advantages.   A greenway will link the community to nearby Rankin Lake Park and Simms Park.  The entire development will be located on the Carolina Thread Mill Trail, a greenway being built to weave through the Charlotte region.   Olson is working on creating a walkable link to Gastonia’s FUSE district in downtown."  Northglenn will be divided into two sections: a $30 million, 26-acre area that includes 225 single-family attached townhomes and a $100 million, 32-acre commercial section that could house corporate offices, a hotel, a grocery store, restaurants and retail.   The commercial portion would have up to 250,000 square feet of space with 100 apartments above retail.  Olson is talking to the Gaston County Economic Development board to see if that site could serve as a home to corporate offices for a company recruited to the county.   “Think a smaller Ayrsley,” says Olson, describing the plan for the commercial part of Northglenn.  Construction should start there in early 2021.  The residential side of the project should break ground during the third or fourth quarter of 2020, Olson says."

 

Link:  https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/12/13/think-a-smaller-ayrsley-how-this-130m-mixed-use.html?  (Subscriber paywall)

https://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/  (The Carolina Thread Mill Trail)

 

I find this interesting as Gaston County and City of Gastonia still have an image and reputation in the area as, well let's say somewhat backwards and stuck in the past.  As a resident of "The County," I hope this is one of the catalysts that helps dispel and rid that old school mindset.  There are those of us that want to see smart growth in Gaston County, as it is inevitable.  But we are struggling to maintain what quietness and rural-ness that we still have in some parts.

[KJHburg]

I always tell people you put Gastonia and Gaston county elsewhere in NC away from Charlotte or a Raleigh it would be considered a boom town doing great.   It is next door to shiny always social climbing Charlotte that builds bigger and newer all the time.   I think Gaston County's time has come Mt Holly and Belmont are as desirable as any small ring towns.   Downtown Gastonia is beginning to change with a new hotel in a renovated building.  New ball park. Huge old buildings to renovate and have been renovated like Loray Mill.  It is cheaper than Charlotte housing and more and more growth will coming that way.   People said the same thing about Kannapolis and it is being reborn.  People who make money in real estate can envision the future.  I remember when "Southend" was an INDUSTRIAL DUMP full of old warehouses and crime.  Fourth Ward haven for prostitutes!   Things are changing and I think Gaston County's future is brighter now than anytime in the past.   They have a Krispy Kreme and a Tony's Ice Cream what more could you want.    Eastridge redevelopment proposals are in the works.   

[videtur quam contuor]

The biggest problem is trying to travel west on 74 or 85 at 4-6 pm.  I tried it again this week and rued my decision.

[JRNYP2C]

17 hours ago, tarhoosier said:

The biggest problem is trying to travel west on 74 or 85 at 4-6 pm.  I tried it again this week and rued my decision.

Yes - that is the bane of our existence.  And getting to 85 from anywhere south/west of Belmont is a mess in the morning too.  The updated Wilkinson Blvd. bridge cannot happen soon enough.  Hopefully, the additional road to Riverbend will happen too.  Not enough current gateways to support the current growth and future development.