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City, DOT Pick 3 Finalists To Develop Charlotte Gateway Station Project

Drawing shows what the Gateway District might look like after it's redeveloped.
City of Charlotte
A conceptual drawing of what the Gateway District, looking west on Graham Street toward the Panthers' stadium.

City officials have asked three groups to submit final proposals for the Charlotte Gateway Station development off West Trade Street. 

The city, Charlotte Area Transit System and the state of Transportation are seeking a lead developer for 13 acres that could include shops, offices, housing and a hotel as well as a new Amtrak train station. 

Four teams expressed interest in the project last month. Three were asked to offer formal proposals by year's end: Charlotte GatewayPartners, a joint venture of Washington-based developer Republic and The Spectrum Companies of Charlotte, East West Partners and Hoffman & Associates. The fourth not selected was Southeastern Real Estate Group.

The city and NCDOT hope to pick a developer in 2020. 

The area also would have connections to CATS buses and the planned Gold Line streetcar and Silver Line light rail. 

“The Gateway District will be one of Charlotte’s signature spaces and will change the energy of Charlotte by setting the standard for transformative, mixed-use neighborhoods,” Assistant City Manager Tracy Dodson said in a press release. “The right developer must not only be a great partner, but grasp our ambitions for this project and reflect Charlotte’s character, charm and future with an innovative development plan.”

NCDOT chief deputy secretary David Howard said: “As construction continues on the rail infrastructure of the station, we are excited to take another step in finding the right partner to build out the district. The Charlotte Gateway Steering Committee and its members are committed to finding the best team to create a development that serves as a new center of gravity for the region." 

Work on the rail-related infrastructure began last year. The $90 million first phase of the broader project includes track realignments, a 2,000-foot platform, construction of five bridges and signal work. When it's done in 2022, the Amtrak train station, now off North Tryon Street, is expected to move to the site.

David Boraks previously covered climate change and the environment for WFAE. See more at www.wfae.org/climate-news. He also has covered housing and homelessness, energy and the environment, transportation and business.