Lawsuits complicate development of Alexander Farms
Construction of internal roads at Alexander Farms / Photos by Jason Benavides
Nov. 13. By Dave Vieser. Legal proceedings over the stalled $110 million Alexander Farms project have cast doubt on the future of the planned commercial development on the site.
The overall project, presented by WIN Development, was approved in 2020, and partial construction of internal roads, stormwater facilities, utilities and related infrastructure soon began.
The commercial development, which covers about 20 acres, was originally scheduled to be finished first, followed by the River Rock 55+ housing development. But commercial construction ceased in 2024 after the loss of financial support.
River Rock homes at Alexander Farms
A significant number of infrastructure improvements were required by the developer, so when activity ceased, the town of Cornelius and Mecklenburg County called the bonds put in place to ensure the public infrastructure would be completed.
Infrastructure work is still being carried out on the site.
Lawsuits filed
Town of Cornelius officials said several lawsuits have been filed between the private entities, further delaying a project that should have been completed years ago.
The dispute is between an entity associated with River Rock Communities — the developer of the private homes — and Alexander Farms MU LLC (AFMU), the master developer and commercial developer.
According to online court records:
• This past April, an entity associated with River Rock purchased AFMU’s loan previously held by Stearns Bank after AFMU defaulted on the loan.
• The River Rock entity foreclosed on the note.
• AFMU challenged the foreclosure citing a violation of deed of trust and North Carolina foreclosure law. The challenge made its way through the courts to the N.C. Supreme Court and remains in litigation.
Grant
The town has been informed that at least two other lawsuits are pending in Mecklenburg County courts between AFMU and River Rock, according to Town Manager Andrew Grant, who stated the town is not a party to any of the lawsuits, litigation or court proceedings.
How things proceed at this point is unknown. Portions of the commercial area may not move forward until the legal proceedings conclude.
“The Alexander Farms plan has an approved rezoning and is vested,” Grant said. “Unless substantive elements of the plan are proposed to be changed, such as the types of uses, the plan’s development rights remain.”
The approved plan includes a mix of single-family residential, senior housing, commercial and retail space, open space and parkland, as well as a greenway connection.
Sansbury
“There was strong support for this project,” said Commissioner Todd Sansbury. “While I hated to see the farmland go away, it was part of the master plan for our overall area. I would probably vote yes again based on the land-use plan.”
The project could be completed or sold to another developer who could build the approved concept or submit a new rezoning request for a different project.
Planning Board member Colin Furcht, who is running for a seat on the Town Board and supported the development as a previous town commissioner, said he has a different perspective now given the delays and challenges.
“It would be a tough one for me,” Furcht said. “The benefits of a 55-and-older community coupled with retail was a plus for me back then. Hindsight is always 20/20, but this is why I push developers to provide timelines before we approve projects.”
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Our Partners
Why not have land graded and seeded .Make an open space for kids soccer etc.As it is ,it lowers the value and beauty of the land.Its been five years and nothings has been done .This would be a cheaper fix and the the residents can enjoy for another five years!
This is a serious blight on our town along with the tenement like apartments being built on West Catawba. Now we have another razing of all of the trees across from Publix. Our nice little town has become unrecognizable.
Hopefully who ever develops the land will consider homes to purchase for first time buyers. There are enough rentals here.
those trees across from Publix were on a parcel approved for that use about 30 years ago.
My question is what’s to become of the dilapidated sharecropper’s shack that has been for the past year+ so prominently displayed at one of the busier intersections in town? The whole plan to preserve and position it prominently in the development was silly from the start – but with the project’s delay it has become nothing more than an eyesore. Maybe it’s time for that thing to go.
I sent this two weeks ago to River Rock…..There is a plan for restoration if “we” can get permission/control. “Perhaps River Rock can give me some guidance. I am the project lead with Preserve Mecklenburg Inc. and HEARTS Collaborative trying to stabilize and then rehabilitate the Alexander Farms Tenant House as a sustainable community asset for Cornelius. Timing is critical before the historical tenant house (one of three remaining in the County) collapses…..And as River Rock is aware, its fate is literally “up in the air”. EVENTUALLY the property may be in River Rock’s control to either develop or sell.
Any thoughts on how might “we” get approval to at least put the Tenant House on its new foundation and get it weather protected immediately for this very visible corner to current River Rock renters at Catawba and Westmoreland? Who can give us “permission” to save it? Thank you.”
Restoration of the tenant house was part of the failed project. Several thousands of $$$ were spent moving it to its present location.
I hope it does not fall down before the lawsuits are resolved.
The towns encourage us to “go green”, then proceed to cut trees everywhere.
Can we get someone to clean the area up like maybe mow the weeds, we do have a city ordinance about grass cutting and weed removal. It’s the law. At least that is what I was told about my vacant wooded lot that I own.