A Charlotte developer says he will begin site work this month on two residential projects in Historic West End, one of Charlotte most rapidly changing neighborhoods.
When combined, the two projects announced by Beauxwright, LLC, will add about 209 townhomes in neighborhoods not far from Johnson C. Smith University and the CATS streetcar extension.
Why it matters: After decades of neglect, Historic West End is experiencing a renaissance. In addition to the streetcar extension, the city of Charlotte has started building Five Points Plaza, a $5.5 million outdoor space that will include seating, public art and a small amphitheater. Nextdoor to the plaza, Sankofa Partners LLC is renovating a commercial building that will bring new retail to the historically black community.
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The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has invested more than $5 million in Historic West End since 2015. In October 2019, the Miami-based foundation announced $700,000 in grants to fund nine projects aimed at helping Historic West End residents play a greater role in shaping their neighborhoods. The foundation also gave nearly $400,000 to jump-start community-driven programming at Five Points Plaza.
With so much happening in the area, some residents say they worry that long-term families are being priced out as real estate values rise. The area has seen custom homes priced as high as $500,000.
Cooper Morrison, Beauxwright principal, said the townhomes announced Wednesday will have floor plans ranging from 1,600 to 2,200 square feet and will be priced in the high $300,000s.
Construction on both projects — Greenway Townhomes and Five Points Townhomes — is scheduled to begin later this year. Dan Ryan Builders is listed as contractor.
“It’s not a city-designated affordable townhome, per se, but it’s a lot more affordable than some of the other homes that are being built” in the area, Morrison said, adding that the homes will appeal to people who want easy access to nearby greenways, parks, breweries, restaurants and retail shops.
He said no residents will be displaced by the projects, designated for land now vacant.
That said, concerns about gentrification persists for some, but not all, residents.
J’Tanya Adams, who heads Historic West End Partners, a group working to bring economic development to the community, said the transfer of land in Historic West End is inevitable.
“One of the reasons is because a lot of the owners are aging out,” she said. “People are dying out quicker than they are pricing out.”
Cooper said Beauxwright met with neighborhood groups to hear community concerns.
About Five Points Townhomes,
- Size: 67 homes on 5.57 acres
- Location: 360 Seldon Drive, next to Five Points Park, near JCSU; within walking distance of the French Street stop on the streetcar extension.
- Features: 3 and 4 bedrooms with garage and study/bonus room on first level. Main living on second level.
- Price: high $300,000s
- Expected completion: January 2022
About Greenway Townhomes
- Size: 133 homes on 11.4 acres
- Location: Three parcels near the 2700 block of Rozzelles Ferry Road, at the corner of Judson Avenue and Rozzelles Ferry Roady
- Features: 3 bedrooms with garage and study/bonus room on first level. Main living on second level.
- Price: high $300,000s
- Expected completion: December 2021
I’m torn. Happy for the JCSU corridor but in my opinion high 300’s is not affordable so once again a marginalized population will be displaced and kept out of a nicely developed area. Let’s stop acting like CLT doesn’t know how to address the problem. How about some housing close to Uptown that starts in the low 200’s which is about the average housing value for African Americans in the area.