Monday, April 2, 2018
What to do with the old Eastland Mall site on Charlotte’s east side? It’s been sitting vacant for years but last week four new ideas from developers were presented to Charlotte city officials. We get reaction from experts to those proposals.
For nearly a decade, the question of just what to do about the plot of land that was once Eastland Mall has gone unanswered, and the future of the 69 acre site is still up in the air today.
The mall, which opened in 1975, was in decline by the late 90’s, and after years of individual tenants closing up shop, the mall officially closed in 2010. Since then, the question of “what to do” with the site hasn’t gotten a definitive answer- a mixed use, pedestrian friendly multicultural center? A residential development? A movie studio?
In 2013, the mall was demolished, and now years later, while several ideas have been floated, a viable plan for the site has still not materialized.
Last week, Charlotte’s economic development committee heard about four plans from developers interested in turning the property into a useful space that that will lift the surrounding neighborhood.
On this edition of Charlotte Talks, Mike Collins will talk to experts who have been following the Eastland Mall saga for years, take a look at the plans, and find out when the site might actually be redeveloped.
Guests:
Ely Portillo, business and development reporter for the Charlotte Observer
Mary Newsom, director of Urban Policy Issues at UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute
Matt Newton, member of Charlotte City Council District 5