by Rich Haag | Jul 1, 2020 | Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Job Growth in University City
University City Partners is excited to announce the addition of Centene Corporation to its market. Earlier today (July 1, 2020), Centene announced that it will establish an East Coast headquarters in University City, Charlotte, after completing a comprehensive evaluation process. The company will begin construction in August on its new campus along Governor Hunt Road in University Research Park and plans to create 6,000 new jobs and invest $1 billion in the Charlotte community over time. “Charlotte has great talent, excellent infrastructure and a real commitment to sustainable development,” said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of Centene. “We are pleased to expand our partnership with the city of Charlotte, the county of Mecklenburg, and the state of North Carolina. We look forward to many years of collective growth and innovation.” The company’s $1 billion investment will provide over 1 million square feet of office and meeting space, a corporate boardroom, a childcare and early education center, a variety of dining venues, auditorium, fitness center, and a stand-alone building housing a corporate learning and development center named Centene Tech University. The campus buildings will be designed to preserve and take advantage of the campus’ environment with an emphasis on providing open spaces, natural light, and embracing the site’s natural features. The second largest employment center in Charlotte, University City accommodates and attracts a variety of businesses including major financial, healthcare and insurance companies including Wells Fargo, TIAA, Allstate and now Centene Corporation. The edge city is anchored by UNC Charlotte with nearly 30,000 students, and a community hospital, Atrium Health University City, which is the highest ranked hospital...
by Rich Haag | Jun 9, 2020 | Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Transit Oriented Development
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department has posted rezoning requests for 9 properties across University City. One request, for up to 200 multifamily units on Shopping Center Drive near Home Depot, is scheduled to be heard on June 15. DETAILS Two requests are for a combined 600 apartments and townhomes along IBM Drive. Rezoning hearing scheduled for June 15 Union at Tryon – 7.5 acres on Shopping Center Drive, from business to MUDD-O for multifamily; Petition 2020-026. June 15 hearing. Other rezoning requests in University City Edgewood Preserve – 20.7 acres on Eastfield Road and Browne Road north of I-485, up to 38 single-family lots and 48 multifamily lots; Petition 2020-012. CCP University – 49 acres at IBM Drive near Neal Road for up to 300 apartments and townhouses; Petition 2020-035. Flournoy Development – 24.6 acres on John Adams Road east of I-85, from business and office to MUDD-O for 366 apartments, 56 townhomes, possibly office and commercial on first florr of building facing Mallard Creek Church Road; Petition 2020-048. Aberdeen Townhomes – 21.9 acres on Ridge Road north of I-485, from R-3 to R-8MF (CD) for up to 98 single-family attached homes; Petition 2020-051. Rangewater IBM Drive – 28 acres on IBM Drive just west of Harris Blvd, 300 apartments; Petition 2020-055. Accent Berkeley Place – 11.7 acres in Berkeley Place development on Mallard Creek Church Road, from CC commercial center to R-17MF (CD) for up to 198 apartments; Petition 2020-060. Cameron Commons – Site-plan amendment by K Sade Ventures Inc. for 90 acres on Cabarrus county line and NC 49, Mixed residential community with 250 single family homes, 288 multifamily units...
by Rich Haag | Mar 5, 2020 | Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Light Rail, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation
So much change is sweeping across University City, it can be hard to keep up. All corners of University City’s 7.5-square-mile area are evolving , from the 2,000 acre University Research Park to light rail stations. Nearly 4 million square-feet of office space was announced in 2019 alone. That’s why University City Partners has prepared a heavily visual report, “University City, CLT,” showcasing private development and public infrastructure projects that are under way or starting soon. The report features many illustrations and links to news reports and websites related to the projects. We have organized our report by “pockets of activity” – places such as the three North Tryon Street light-rail stations, where intense redevelopment is under way. Among the many projects included here: The UNC Charlotte Conference Center and Hotel Waters Edge at University Place Verde at McCullough Station McCullough Drive extension and streetscape improvements The University City Police Station Top Golf and Entertainment District CLICK HERE to view the report. We hope you will share it with everyone you know who has an interest in University...
by Rich Haag | Feb 12, 2020 | Commercial real estate
Monthly report on commercial real estate in University City – Charlotte TopGolf announces plan to open University City location in late 2020 Facility will be on 14.2-acre site near I-85 and University City Blvd. Along with golf, facility will offer restaurant and bar, music and year-round activities. Location is part of planned 56-acre entertainment district near University City Blvd LYNX station MORE Business Journal interviews Darlene Heater on University City’s rapid growth In-depth article features University City Partners’ executive director discussing the group’s role in helping shape main business district Q&A includes explosion of real-estate sales, new construction, TOD rezonings, tenant activity MORE These projects under way or starting soon will help transform University Place EB Arrow, Crescent Communities starting work this spring on Waters Edge at University Place Construction starts in 2021 on bridge to research park, Clay Blvd streetscape overhaul County will soon finish link to 10 miles of greenways through campus, research park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center will open in spring 2021 at N. Tryon and Clay Blvd MORE University report chronicles “era of unprecedented growth” Interactive timeline highlights milestones since Phil Dubois named chancellor in 2005 Campus construction and renovations in that period total more than $1 billion Current projects include science building, hotel-conference center Enrollment has surged 50% to nearly 30,000 between 2005 and 2019 MORE ULI Carolinas adds Feb. 12 LYNX tour with 4 major presentations 5-hour event begins and ends at Stonewall Station near Westin Hotel. Lunch and panel discussion at Tom Hunter Station stop. LYNX station stops and topics are: 36th Street: Preserving and enhancing...
by Rich Haag | Feb 10, 2020 | Commercial real estate
Carolina Trends Council Tour and Meeting This event on Feb. 12, 2020 is for registered participants of the ULI Carolinas Meeting taking place Feb. 12-13 at the Weston Hotel. Get event and tour details at the event website. Tour schedule 8:45 am – Gather at Stonewall Station Platform, 260 E. Stonewall St. Directions 9:04 am – Board LYNX train for ride to 36th Street Station in the NoDa district. Walk next door to 434 E. 36th St. Directions 9:25 am – Charlotte Challenge: Preserving and Enhancing Neighborhood Character amidst Development Long known as the art district for Charlotte, most of Noda’s artists and galleries have moved out. The LYNX brought renewed investment interest to this neighborhood of old mills and industrial trappings. The community’s strong voice influenced distinguishable station finishes and pushed for more art, allowing its gritty, artistic vibe to live on. A focus on art creating place, intentional placemaking, and adaptive reuse of mills and mill houses of an evolving neighborhood–What did Charlotte do right and what opportunities were missed? Speakers: Katie Maloomian, Crescent Communities, Novel @36th Street Monica Holmes, City of Charlotte, Director of Urban Design Studio 10:06 am – Board LYNX to Sugar Creek Station. Walk to Station House 10:20 am – Charlotte Challenge: Creating New Nodes of Investment Before the LYNX, the Sugar Creek Station included an array of heavy industrial uses and housing for factory workers. Rough terrain and rugged edges begin to soften as bullish investment and opportunity zone incentives aim to revitalize place and bring new uses. A focus on transitioning land use and the challenges in pursuing dramatic...
by Rich Haag | Feb 6, 2020 | Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Greenways, Transit Oriented Development
The 2018 opening of the Blue Line Extension between UNC Charlotte and Center City launched a massive reshaping of the North Tryon Street corridor in University City. Look for these four public and private projects to focus that transformation on University Place over the next three to four years. J.W. Clay Boulevard streetscape Construction of a major pedestrian- and bike-friendly overhaul of J.W. Clay Boulevard through University Place is expected to start in late summer of 2021. The $12.9 million streetscape project will significantly improve this key artery for all modes of transportation, including pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle and transit. Main improvements will include completing and widening sidewalks, redoing roadways and medians to accommodate bike lanes, adding a planting strip and street trees, and constructing a two-way separated cycle path between the JW Clay Blvd LYNX Station and Doug Mayes Place. For more streetscape details and updates, visit the project website. Watch a 2016 video showing the planned roadway transformation (some details have changed, but the video is still fascinating). I-85 North Bridge and Barton Creek Greenway The cycle path, providing a bike lane in each direction, will continue across I-85 and into University Research Park via a related road project, the I-85 North Bridge. Construction on that project is expected to start in spring 2021. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County is nearing completion on the long-awaited Barton Creek Greenway from JW Clay Boulevard to the Mallard Creek Greenway. Once the new greenway opens, University Place will have direct access to 9-plus miles of greenways through UNC Charlotte, University Research Park and several neighborhoods. Read our report on the I-85...
