By Dave Vieser. A year ago we outlined major developments coming to town: Some have opened, including Arby’s, CATS Park & Ride and Sweet Magnolia Estate. Others are undergoing “changes to their changes,” according to Cornelius Planning Director Wayne Herron.
Quick Trip: A 5,700-square-foot convenience store and gas station is still coming to the old Acropolis site but there have been delays because the design for the adjacent intersection was up in the air. The town board approved a zoning change in May last year, but the NCDOT has killed plans for a traffic circle at that intersection, opting instead for something called a “quad/no left turn” design.
It’s likely that construction won’t begin for several more months, while the Acropolis awaits the wrecking ball.
Alexander Farm: The 54-acre site at the corner of Westmoreland Road and West Catawba went on the market in 2015 for $18 million. Charlotte-based developer Leon Capital expressed interest in putting a mixed-use project there but Herron says the company has pulled out.
“We’ve been speaking with four or five other developers who have expressed interest in possibly picking up the project,” said Herron. “One is interested in primarily office buildings at the site; we are also looking at a development which would include a neighborhood park at the site and perhaps a new fire station. We’ll see how this all plays out.”
The property is now listed at $12.5 million with real estate broker Gary Knox, a former mayor of Cornelius.
Knox at Catawba: This is one of two projects which will change the look and feel of West Catawba. The 48,000 square foot retail/office project includes enough space for a small- to mid-size grocery store.
The property is owned by Charter Cornelius, part of Charter Realty & Development Corp., a well-respected real estate investment, development, and leasing company specializing in retail.
Catawba and Nantz: The plan is that Nantz Road will be extended north and east of West Catawba Ave, and extend into a development of some 300 townhomes targeting empty nesters on vacant property adjoining Magnolia Estates owned by BV Belk.
At the Catawba/Nantz intersection, the existing old homes will come down in favor of a 30,000 square foot development including a convenience store (likely a fully branded 7-Eleven) as well as a restaurant and a Pet Suites.
