Independence Corridor

[UPNoDa]

Thanks everyone for the input. Will take these recommendations into consideration. You guys are great!

[Scribe]

MoRA Point construction has begun...

Quote

Selwyn Property Group and SunCap Property Group, both Charlotte real estate firms, are developing a 13.6-acre site into a 60,000-square-foot commercial center. The site is bounded by Monroe and Idlewild roads, Independence Boulevard and Long Avenue.

The center has been named MoRA Point, paying homage to the nearby branded neighborhood along Monroe Road.

It will be anchored by a 22,000-square-foot grocery store, expected to be Aldi.

paywalled article: https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/05/01/charlotte-firms-break-ground-on-redevelopment.html

Map:

[SgtCampsalot]

Do we have site plans?

[Third Strike]

3 minutes ago, SgtCampsalot said:

Do we have site plans?

https://research.catylist.com/api/images/data/og/media/user_uploads/5adfa01da2b7b4000146d82f_Flyer.pdf

I think Lidl is the grocery anchor, but I’m not 100% sure.

Edited May 1, 2018 by Third Strike

[Scribe]

8 minutes ago, Third Strike said:

I think Lidl is the grocery anchor, but I’m not 100% sure.

The article from today says Aldi.

12 minutes ago, SgtCampsalot said:

Do we have site plans?

Approved site plan is here: http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Rezoning/2017/001-016/2017-016 approved site plan.pdf

Note: the site plan was supposed to account (or take into consideration) for the Silver Line...

[SgtCampsalot]

26 minutes ago, Third Strike said:

https://research.catylist.com/api/images/data/og/media/user_uploads/5adfa01da2b7b4000146d82f_Flyer.pdf

I think Lidl is the grocery anchor, but I’m not 100% sure.

 

16 minutes ago, Scribe said:

The article from today says Aldi.

Approved site plan is here: http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Rezoning/2017/001-016/2017-016 approved site plan.pdf

Note: the site plan was supposed to account (or take into consideration) for the Silver Line...

Yeesh. Well, it'll be nice to have nice shiny new development. Too bad this little wedge (including M Station/Hawthornes) couldn't be an itty-bitty-urban oasis that kisses the Silver Line.

[Scribe]

1 hour ago, SgtCampsalot said:

Well, it'll be nice to have nice shiny new development. Too bad this little wedge (including M Station/Hawthornes) couldn't be an itty-bitty-urban oasis that kisses the Silver Line.

Both this and M Station still have the potential, since both are phased projects, but it would depend on getting a more concrete timeline on the Silver Line.... The zoning on this one is mostly MUDD-O, should be flexible enough....

[NCMike1990]

MoRA Point has a construction progress gallery at Clear Sky Images. 

http://photos.clearskyimages.com/p854021014

At least we'll be able to watch it progress from the air.

[UPNoDa]

Drove by this site today and there is indeed a sign fronting Indy indicating an Aldi.

[KJHburg]

This is more east Charlotte but urban farm at the Aldersgate  off Shamrock and Eastway to provide fresh food in food desert area.  While uptown is not quite a food desert I have proposed this on the vacant land that Levine has and I think people thought I was joking (I was not)  https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/05/03/new-urban-farm-targets-food-desert-in-charlotte-s.html?ana=TRUEANTHEMTWT_CH&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5aeb4e2304d30169c1416a50&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

[KJHburg]

This is an interesting back fill for big box a former Walmart Neighborhood Market on E Independence will become an aviation maintenance school.  Good fit and there are plenty of jobs like this in Charlotte and quite a few in Greensboro area too.

http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Aviation-Institute-of-Maintenance-Subleases-Former-Walmart-Neighborhood-Market-in-Independence-Square/201060

[Third Strike]

Anybody know what they’re building on the old site of Hooters in Matthews? That building has been vacant for nearly a decade now. 

[KJHburg]

I am guessing the plans for Varnadore Building fell apart or is there still hope?  drive by today 

[Nick2]

2 hours ago, KJHburg said:

I am guessing the plans for Varnadore Building fell apart or is there still hope?  drive by today 

I looked and the most recent thing I could find anywhere was from may and it was that the developer was waiting to hear from ncdot about LED signage facing independence.

The developer is Beaver Creek CRE, LLC if anyone wants to drop them a line and ask.

[lit]

I was hoping to win that $1.5B Mega jackpot so I could buy the Varnadore building and turn it into my own personal condo tower. I bet the skyline/sunset views look pretty sweet from up there. 

[KJHburg]

2 hours ago, lit said:

I was hoping to win that $1.5B Mega jackpot so I could buy the Varnadore building and turn it into my own personal condo tower. I bet the skyline/sunset views look pretty sweet from up there. 

Imagine the skyline views too from there.  I sure wish something will be done with it soon.  

[KJHburg]

This is my favorite Class B office building in town.  A landmark and many years ago this was the finest suburban office tower in town.  Today.  The Big Gold building.  People still give directions by this building. 

[Scribe]

Speaking of Class B towers. What is going on with the Varnadore building?

In May they got their plans approved... but I have not seen any movement since...

[nicholas]

“I’ve got a great idea. Let’s put a huge blank concrete wall next to the sidewalk to make everything look better.” 

[atlrvr]

In fairness, that blank wall currently exists, and was part of the Albemarle/Pierson interchange project that NCDOT did years ago.

[Nick2]

Some independence drive by photos.

Fun fact: when the Bojangles coliseum opened, it was the largest unsupported steel dome in the world.

 

[atlrvr]

On 10/23/2018 at 7:34 PM, KJHburg said:

I am guessing the plans for Varnadore Building fell apart or is there still hope?  drive by today 

GVest (the developer) closed on the property Nov 30.

[Hushpuppy321]

If that's the case then seems like the Varnadore refurbishment will move forward albeit at a snails pace.  Better than nothing i guess...

East Independence corridor does have some momentum with the other projects (Walmart, Car Development, Bojangles Connector, etc.)

Edited December 31, 2018 by Hushpuppy321

[Third Strike]

5 minutes ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

If that's the case then seems like the Varnadore refurbishment will move forward albeit at a snails pace.  Better than nothing is guess...

East Independence corridor does have some momentum with the other projects (Walmart, Car Development, Bojangles Connector, etc.)

I really want a developer, or even the city, to do something with the abandoned buildings and lots on Independence on the same side as the Varnadore building between Albemarle and Eastway. Even a conversion to a greenfield is preferred; the brownfield is by far the worst I’ve seen in Charlotte. 

[Hushpuppy321]

1 hour ago, Third Strike said:

I really want a developer, or even the city, to do something with the abandoned buildings and lots on Independence on the same side as the Varnadore building between Albemarle and Eastway. Even a conversion to a greenfield is preferred; the brownfield is by far the worst I’ve seen in Charlotte. 

Not sure I'd want the City involved as owner.  Look at the Eastland Mall site.  Only City involvement I'd want to see is something they could do to incentivize those properties.  Waive all development fees, create special Zoning overlay for distressed sites, etc.   Something to make it sweet for developers to privately fund something.

Edited December 31, 2018 by Hushpuppy321