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Public Forum To Highlight New Plans For Old Eastland Mall Site

Julie Rose/WFAE

Plans to redevelop the site of Charlotte’s old Eastland Mall continue to take shape. On Wednesday, the community will have another chance to give input to developers and city officials at a public forum. 

Eastland Mall was once a thriving spot for shopping and socializing. The mall on Central Avenue at Sharon Amity Road closed in 2010. The City of Charlotte bought the 80 -acre site for $13.2 million in 2012, and tore down the vacant mall the next year.  

Several proposals to redevelop the property fell apart in recent years. But last year, the City Council agreed to partner with a development group led by Crosland Southeast on a comprehensive plan to revitalize the old mall site. 

Developers and city leaders envision a mix of uses including restaurants, retail, offices, housing, and an amateur soccer complex.  "We want to make whatever we put there a true destination for Charlotte and for the entire region," says City Council member James Mitchell, who chairs the council's economic development committee. "Secondly, we want to pay homage to the history of Eastland," Mitchell adds. 

On Wednesday evening, representatives of the city, Crosland Southeast, and other redevelopment project partners will hold a public forum to share the latest plans for the Eastland Mall site. They’ll also answer questions and receive community input on what the new development should include. 

A price tag for the project hasn’t been determined.  The city has already agreed to set aside more than $16 million for infrastructure improvements to support the redevelopment. 

Wednesday’s public forum is from 6-8 p.m. at Calvary Church of the Nazarene on North Sharon Amity Road. 

Mark Rumsey grew up in Kansas and got his first radio job at age 17 in the town of Abilene, where he announced easy-listening music played from vinyl record albums.