Eastland Yards developer says project ‘cannot afford a misstep’

CHARLOTTE — In October 2018, Charlotte city government chose Crosland Southeast as master developer of the 80-acre site now known as Eastland Yards.

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Now, nearly five years later, Crosland Southeast is 11 months underway with extensive site preparations as well as an initial 70-unit senior affordable-housing project expected to open next year. Those units will serve seniors with 30% to 80% of area median income, or roughly $20,000 to $50,000 annually.

But a significant chunk of land remains unspoken for — 29 acres — and neighborhood groups and other residents have said loudly and consistently that they would like to see a sports and recreation project on that property.

Last week, Charlotte City Council, after extensive debate about two proposals for the 29-acre parcel, showed that they have yet to reach consensus on when to move forward or which concept they prefer.

Their indecision left everyone frustrated, including Tim Sittema, Crosland Southeast’s managing partner and architect of the Eastland Yards development plan.

“I’d like things to be done yesterday, and I’ve been consistent on that for the last months and months,” he told CBJ today. “It seems like they’ve got two apparently viable candidates. The city’s going through their due-diligence process. The key piece for me is we cannot afford a misstep here. It’s imperative the city flushes out whether both these candidates are able to execute effectively.”

Read the full story here.

VIDEO: ‘Slow down’: Charlotte leaders lambast staff after Eastland Yards recommendation