Ballantyne Village

[charlotte_uncc]

Thanks to unchecked sprawl that has been given a 'yes' everytime, you are correct.

[grodney]

Did you all see this Q/A in the Observer?

"

Q: Richard, I read (I think on charlotte.com) that the Carolina Place Mall was considering paying for freeway entrance/exit improvements from 485 for access to the Mall. Can private entities really do this? If so, can the Ballantyne developers pay to have the flyover completed at Johnston and 485? You would think with all the high-falutin' people who live down there, the developers would want them to have a quality of life that doesn't have them sitting in a line for 20 minutes just to get on the freeway! Thanks! Anonymous, Charlotte, NC 2/16/07

A: Yes, they can do things like that, and perhaps that might happen in Ballantyne/Johnston Road. Obviously, there are various levels of approval that would be needed, because it's a state-owned federal highway. This same scenario will likely play out in north Mecklenburg, on the proposed new exit at Westmoreland Road. Richard Rubin 2/16/07

"

(Source: 2/3 of the way down this page, if it still works: http://tinyurl.com/325k9t )

Interesting thought. Anybody want to write the Ballantyne developers and ask them about it? Maybe they should pay to build Community House across 485 as well, while they're at it.

As somebody who lives just south of Ballantyne, I can tell you that the area is already ruined by too much development without the proper infrastructure. And they're not even close to being done.

[nowensone]

Community House road is proposed to cross over. It is an unfunded project, expect to see it in about 15 years I'd guess.

The long ramp for access to I-485 is due to the planned flyover ramp from N 521 to I-485.

[revitalize]

probably has something to do with limited Right-of-way or land available to accomodate a cloverleaf or anything else?

[grodney]

Please forgive my ignorance here, but what is a flyover needed for? Two intersecting interstates, maybe, but here? And aren't there better designs for this intersection anyway? Finally, just how much is this flyover going to cost?

[nowensone]

^ Good find. While $34 million is not as much as I would have thought, it still puts into perspective how expensive any highway project is when you add in the grading, paving, bridges, and overpasses for a given section, the LRT project seems nearly insignificant in comparsion. Then again I am biased. </off topic>

[revitalize]

Thought I'd post up a photo of Ballantyne Village I took the other day. Enjoy.

[CLT2010]

I hate that place so much, you think we would learn from Atlanta

[revitalize]

I like it. What is similar in Atlanta?

[Raintree21]

I've only heard good things about it. If only it were easier to get across Johnston Rd., this would be a community with most everything needed in those two shopping centers.

[Windsurfer]

I hate that place so much, you think we would learn from Atlanta

[CLT2010]

Thats pretty much sums my opinion up.

[Raintree21]

I hate to see it too. So much sprawl, and so artificial. My first camping trip ever was with the Boy Scouts in the present Ballentyne area almost 40 years ago. There used to be road called Gold Hill Road, or something like that, near there. So bucolic and scenic back then. We had to hike about 3-4 mile back in order to get to our campsite. My mom was actually born in a cabin not far from there in 1926. What a difference a few years makes.

[turbocraig]

There's an interview in the latest issue of Ballantyne Magazine with the architects of the new 10 story towers. There going for LEED certification (it doesn't indicate what level). They also seem to be thinking ahead (maybe too far ahead). They're incorporating dedicated parking spaces for hybrid vehicles with electric outlets for recharging. Too bad plug-in hybrids aren't a reality yet, although a handful of Prius owners have converted their cars to incorporate plug-in capability. Maybe they meant to say golf carts.

[nyxmike]

There's an interview in the latest issue of Ballantyne Magazine with the architects of the new 10 story towers. There going for LEED certification (it doesn't indicate what level). They also seem to be thinking ahead (maybe too far ahead). They're incorporating dedicated parking spaces for hybrid vehicles with electric outlets for recharging. Too bad plug-in hybrids aren't a reality yet, although a handful of Prius owners have converted their cars to incorporate plug-in capability. Maybe they meant to say golf carts.

[turbocraig]

Did they say when they plan on starting construction?

[nyxmike]

They started 2-3 months ago. Steel is going up now.

[turbocraig]

No, no. I'm sorry. I was referring to the office towers just down the street (link to rendering posted on page 8). It's not in The Village itself, but this seemed like the closest thread to post that in.

[grodney]

Again, probably not in Ballantyne Village itself, but below are some photos of the new office "towers". Let me know if there is a better thread for these. Thanks.

View from just outside Monty's (formerly Providence Bistro).

View from Ballantyne Commons Parkway, at the east end of the site.

[cltheel.sdl]

Man, they sure are going up fast with these. Last time I was over there (about a month ago) it was just dirt.

[Raintree21]

The Observer is reporting that the developer of Streets of Toringdon wants to modify the center's master plan to include a hotel.

Does this area really need another hotel? According to Yahoo Yellow pages, there are already 7 hotels within 3 miles of Ballantyne.

[nyxmike]

The Observer is reporting that the developer of Streets of Toringdon wants to modify the center's master plan to include a hotel.

Does this area really need another hotel? According to Yahoo Yellow pages, there are already 7 hotels within 3 miles of Ballantyne.

[Raintree21]

The CBJ has an article today justifying the increase in hotels in Ballantyne as needed for business travelers due to the huge increase in business in the area.

[turbocraig]

They're right. Our company is located in Ballantyne and when bringing people in, it's more and more difficult to find hotels for them. The StayBridge and Courtyard are frequently sold out, as are the Residence Inn at Piper Glen, and even the Pineville hotels (next exit down from us). The Resort usually sells out last due to the high price, but a lot of the time, we just have to buck up and put people there because there's no other option. Probably three more mid-market hotels are really needed to satisfy demand.

[revitalize]

I just had a thought... a boutique hotel would be a very cool addition to Ballantyne Village itself, maybe instead of the proposed/future condo tower(s)? Wonder if George shields is considering that......