McCrorey Heights seeks historic status to protect neighborhood from gentrification

CHARLOTTE — McCrorey Heights has a storied history in Charlotte. Founded by former Johnson C. Smith President H.L. McCrorey in 1912, Charlotte historians say the neighborhood took off after World War II as a development of ranch-style homes for Charlotte’s African American elite. It was home to many men and women who led key Black institutions in the era of segregation.

Decades later, neighbors are rallying to preserve their homes and this community.

“Those Black, African American leaders in our community created a community, and it was not easy,” neighbor Toria Burch said. “We need to preserve this for the future of Charlotte, for the residents of McCrorey Heights and those in North Carolina and beyond.”

Wearing red, dozens of McCrorey Heights neighbors came to the Government Center to ask the Charlotte City Council to make their neighborhood a historic district. The designation means property owners would have to go through a design review process and contact the Historic District Commission before major projects, such as new construction, demolition or painting brick.

“Neighbors are concerned about developer pressure and wanted to establish some protections to preserve character and architecture of the neighborhood,” said Dave Pettine, who oversees the city’s rezoning process.

All Charlotte City Council members appear onboard with the designation, and the proposal has the backing of the state historic preservation office. A vote is expected next month. After the vote happens, neighbors hope it will lead to long-term prosperity and stability in their community.

“We must protect McCrorey Heights,” neighbor Nichelle Hawkins said.

“What is happening all around the city in various neighborhoods, we do not want to see happen in our community,” neighbor Marilyn Twitty Brown said.

Many religious, civic and civil rights leaders have called McCroery Heights home, including a prominent real estate developer named Romeo Alexander. Charlotte residents may be familiar with his daughter-in-law, Mayor Vi Lyles. Mayor Lyles excused herself from the conversation because of how important and meaningful the topic and neighborhood is to her.

(Watch below: Historically Black neighborhood in Huntersville fighting back against gentrification)

Historically Black neighborhood in Huntersville fighting back against gentrification

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