BNY

Spotted in Elizabeth yesterday.

Post from the Elizabeth Community Association: Update on 7th & Caswell Development Dear Elizabeth Neighbors, Monday night, the ECA joined Crescent Communities in showing the neighborhood’s support for the proposed development on the 1.68-acre Faison land at the corner of E. 7th St. and N. Caswell Avenue. A presentation was made to City Council for the rezoning petition #2019-029. This was the zoning hearing, which we anticipate to be followed by an official vote of City Council on September 16, 2019. The project should be underway early 2020 and complete late 2021. If you were present at the April public meeting with Crescent held at St. John’s Baptist, you will recall the concept was met with widespread support and enthusiasm. That being said, there were many details to work out in the “fine print” as the project continued to take shape. The Real Estate and Zoning Committee was comprised of Paul Shipley, Beth Haenni, Melanie Sizemore, Jim Belvin, Evan Kettler, Sarah Crowder, Sal Kafiti, and Max Gilland. This committee has been working hard to negotiate the very best circumstances and outcome for this development. Overall, the ECA is really proud of where things stand, is excited about this development, and believes the proposed building is in keeping with the Elizabeth Small Area Plan. We thank YOU - the passionate neighbors of Elizabeth - for your input, questions and excellent feedback that directly influenced how this project evolved! Charlotte Agenda has provided an excellent snapshot of the project: https://www.charlotteagenda.com/158747/elizabeth-development-office-retail/ KEY DETAILS (1) ARCHITECTURE Crescent responded to recommended changes from the neighborhood, bringing us an iconic building with some historic allusions that respect Elizabeth and this important corner. 4 stories total (3 office above bottom floor retail) 4th floor set back down 7th and beside Savvy - essentially not visible from 7th and will appear more like 3 stories Mix of glass and brick Key elements of wood accents and green brick tiles Recessed entryways to retail with limited outdoor seating Public artwork opportunities (murals, etc.) at specific places Hidden mechanicals and dumpsters, etc. and limitations on trash pick-up times “Plaza” at the rounded corner Bicycle parking (2) TREES - Crescent will provide an improved pedestrian experience with an 8-foot planting strip and a 7-foot pedestrian clear zone on the sidewalk. The mature zelkovas will remain along Caswell, and new Chinese Pistache trees will be planted along 7th. (3) PARKING - Crescent increased their parking count significantly due to neighborhood feedback. The parking for this project will be in a deck in the rear of the property and will become evening/weekend shared parking for the Asana property across the street (e.g., Starbucks/Stanley/Crunkleton/Burn/etc.) to help alleviate parking problems at that site. While we may experience parking issues once the Crescent project is built, rest assured that Crescent and ECA are going to work together to explore parking solutions to help prevent Crescent overflow parking throughout the neighborhood. This will be an ECA agenda item for the fall. We will keep you posted on any further developments about this project. Elizabeth Community Association

Maybe I'm off base here, but the Hawthorne/Independence sections has a bridge carrying Hawthorne over 74. They are in the process of replacing it for the streetcar right now. That pic shows no bridge/overpass at all.

I thought the bridge at Hawthorne (crossing over Independence) was built in the 50s. Are we sure that location description is accurate? You're right about that Camry, that looks like a 90s model.

Does anyone know what's going on at that empty lot at 7th and Louise (across Louise from the Fig Tree)? It looks like a few trees and some overgrowth were cleared last week.

Not looking to relitigate the whole Swim Club episode, but a large segment of the Plaza Midwood neighborhood opposed that project. Of course, many did support it. In any event, as others noted it's hard to see why this project provoked this much Council opposition giving what else is going up in the area...

A significant portion of the PM community did not support the pool (and the neighborhood association caused some conflict by announcing support for the project before most anyone knew about it). At the end of the day, this site simply cannot supply the parking for the uses it was requesting. It'll be interesting to see if Maddalon moves forward with the townhomes or not.

Agreed on the smoke screen. While it's true that there is significant support for the pool in the neighborhood, it's also true that there's a lot of opposition to it as well. I just don't see how this site (even taking into account the parking lot next to Segen's) can even begin to support the traffic it will create. Even for "regular" events that the Van Landingham already hosts, it's frequently a mess.

Agreed this is better. I still wonder how that area will handle the parking demands of those townhouses and (especially) the pool. There just isn't enough.

Here you go: http://www.wbtv.com/story/28276766/new-development-in-noda-could-lead-to-end-of-popular-concert-venue?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass

As do I, but that's very different than what I'm hearing about the proposed development. I have to respectfully disagree about the landscaping - it's very nice and the main reason why (along with the historic house) it has a strong wedding business. Agreed about the schools.

While I certainly understand that the owner needs to have a financially viable property, this development truly is unfortunate for the Van Landingham Estate and neighborhood in general. Throwing up 21 townhomes and a large pool does not in any way fit the historic nature of the property -- which is one of a kind. My sense is that since the owner has strong and deep ties with the community, a lot of folks are giving a pass on this one. If it was somebody else, I'd guess that the neighborhood would be fighting it tooth and nail.