by Rich Haag | Sep 23, 2020 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Neighborhoods, Retail Expansion, Transit Oriented Development
The construction crane swinging over Vue on University, a new apartment community rising near campus, is a clear sign that University City continues to grow even through the pandemic. In fact, Mecklenburg County has issued building permits for more than $125 million in new construction and renovations in University City’s central business district between June 1 and mid-September. Here’s a glimpse at the largest projects. Please note that the dollar figures shown here don’t necessarily capture the full cost, since large projects may get multiple permits over several months. Residential projects Tapestry University City, University City Apartments, LLC, 8235 Dave McKinney Ave. $46.5 million 2. Vue on University, Vue on University Phase 1 LLC, 9905 University City Blvd. $40.5 million 3. LIV North Tryon Station, PR 111/LIC UNCC Apartments, LP, 6820 N. Tryon St. $15.4 million Retail/Office 4. Lidl grocery store, 615 W. Mallard Creek Church Road, new building, $9.43 million. 5-6. The Pointe at University Place buildings E and B, CS Shoppes at University Place, LLC Building E, 8956 J M Keynes Drive; office, bank, medical offices; $333,600. Building B, 9832 J M Keynes Drive; stores, restaurant etc.; $615,400. Office/Research 7. TIAA, Andrew Carnegie Blvd; multiple permits for interior renovations; $8.15 million. 8. EPRi, 1200-1300 W. WT Harris Blvd, renovations, $826,000. 9. Proximity Park, 401 McCullough Drive, interior improvements, $471,000. 10. Lowe’s, 1100 Chancellor Park Drive, upfits, additions and/or repairs, $627,000. Institutional 11. Mallard Creek Wastewater Reclamation Facility RUVI, City of Charlotte, 12400 N. Tryon St. $1.16...
by Rich Haag | Sep 23, 2020 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development, Job Growth in University City, Retail Expansion, Transit Oriented Development
A major Novant Health medical center was among 9 proposed developments in University City reviewed or approved by Charlotte City Council at its Sept. 21 rezoning meeting. Altogether, the nine proposals would add nearly 2,000 housing units, 30,000 square feet of retail and offices, and Novant Health’s planned 144,000 square-foot medical center near UNC Charlotte. Rezoning petitions approved on Sept. 21 The council unanimously approved all four of these petitions. Click here to watch a video of the entire 4-hour-long City Council meeting. 1. Mixed-use residential community on NC 49 Location: University City Boulevard, north side, just west of the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus County line. Zoning change approved: 93.9 acres from MX-1 mixed residential to MX-2 mixed residential. This will allow more than half of the dwelling units to be multifamily. Petitioner: K Sade Ventures, LLC. Petition 2020-092 details Proposed uses: 250 single-family detached homes and 288 multifamily units. Other details: 8-ft planting strip and 12-ft multi-use path along University City Blvd frontage. 2. Retail center on NC 49 Location: University City Boulevard, north side, just west of the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus County line. Zoning change approved: 4.56 acres from neighborhood business to general business, conditional. Petitioner: K Sade Ventures, LLC. Petition 2020-021 details Proposed uses: Up to 20,000 square feet of general business uses. Other details. Adjoins 92 acres also being rezoned for residential uses. 3. Mixed-use development on Mallard Creek Church Road near I-85 Location: East side of John Adams Road, north of Mallard Creek Church Road and east of I-85 Zoning change approved: 24.6 acres from neighborhood business and office to Mixed-Use Development (optional) Petitioner: Flournoy Development Group. Petition 2020-048...
by Rich Haag | Sep 21, 2020 | Commercial real estate, Greenways, Light Rail, Transportation
Charlotte is seeking our ideas regarding two major initiatives: Protecting and expanding the city’s tree canopy, and deciding the future of transportation and mobility in Charlotte. In each case, the city invites us to complete an online survey. Here are details: Charlotte Tree Canopy Action Plan Learn about city policies to preserve trees on public and private property and share your ideas for improving those policies. The survey includes three short videos. University City Partners is part of a working stakeholder group that is helping develop the Charlotte Tree Canopy Action Plan. TAKE THE SURVEY Charlotte MOVES Mobility Plan The city is preparing the Charlotte MOVES Strategic Mobility Plan to guide the future of transportation and mobility in Charlotte. The survey seeks to learn how people currently drive, walk, bike and ride around Charlotte and get our ideas for making those choices better for all travelers. TAKE THE...
by Rich Haag | Sep 10, 2020 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Economic Development
Crescent Communities recently celebrated the topping-out of its transformative new office building, Escent Research Park. The four-story, 158,000 square-foot Class A creative office community is set to open in 2021 in University Research Park. Escent Research Park is designed to provide a modern workspace that can help companies inspire, retain and motivate top talent. Among the features that will shape that workspace are: Two large courtyards that include indoor and outdoor spaces for collaboration, respite, meetings. A light-filled double-height lobby and amenity center with alternative workspaces for creativity and collaboration. Efficient +/- 45,000 SF floor plans with virtually column-free layouts for flexible interior design. Ultimate connectivity throughout the Escent Research Park building and campus. Crescent Communities is seeking Wired Certification of Escent’s digital infrastructure. Escent Research Park’s campus is located on 21 acres between Mallard Creek Church Road and David Taylor Drive. The site will allow quick access to I-85 and I-485, and is close to the LYNX light-rail line and to 13 miles of connected greenways through University Research Park, UNC Charlotte and several nearby neighborhoods. Learn more about Escent Research Park Take a virtual tour Download the building brochure Visit the website For leasing information, contact Joe Franco or Stephanie Spivey at CBRE....
by Rich Haag | Jul 21, 2020 | Business Growth, Commercial real estate, Uncategorized
July 2020 report on commercial real estate in University City – Charlotte Centene to break ground on URP campus in August First buildings will be 770,000 SF main building and parking garage, Charlotte Observer reports Centene completed purchase on July 10 of 80.1 acres along Gov Hunt Road for $10 million Read full July 1 news release about Centene’s East Coast HQ plans MORE Innovation Park owners unveil plan to take massive complex to the next level Accesso Partners seeks rezoning for mixed-use development around existing facility Proposal would add multifamily, retail, hotel and offices, says Business Journal Rezoning will be “dense,” with modern, higher-end product, says Accesso Partners’ CIO MORE Shorenstein seeks OK for offices, parking near its 6800 Solectron Dr building Rezoning would allow 50,000 sf of new development and parking, Business Journal reports Shorenstein bought 6800 Solectron flex building in 2019, announced plans for offices Rezoning is for 12.4 acres between Mallard Creek Road and 6800 Solectron property MORE UCP to co-host interactive discussion about small-business grants on July 22 Online event takes place 3 pm July 22 on University City Partners Facebook Page Qualifying businesses will receive grants of either $10,000 or $25,000 Key speaker will be Holly Eskridge, city’s asst. economic development director MORE Podcast features Darlene Heater discussing “Driving Business in University City” Heater talks with Jeffrey Jones of Belk College of Business on Charlotte Business Buzz Topics include University City’s rapid growth, the challenges of the pandemic and what lies ahead MORE University City leads Charlotte’s multifamily housing boom, says CoStar Recent report says over 2,000 units are under construction CoStar says...
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...
