CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council discussed the future of Eastland Yards Monday night, specifically regarding the two remaining parcels that remain unaccounted for after Tepper Sports' departure from the project last year. In total, the two parcels total 29 acres and the city has narrowed it down to two options.
Earlier this year, city leaders voted to set aside $20 million for the land's development. Now it's a question of how that money should be spent.
The first option called "QC East" would bring multi-use sports fields, an amphitheater and an esports venue to the property. The second option is an indoor sports complex with 10 basketball courts that includes an outdoor area for soccer, a running trail and more.
Community leaders say it's time to move forward with one of those plans after years of false starts and broken promises. CharlotteEAST launched a petition with signatures of people who support the indoor sports complex.
"At this point, I feel like we're approaching a point where the city can't come up with any more excuses to delay this process," CharlotteEAST executive, Greg Asciutto, said. "We feel completely confident, not just in what these folks are promising to bring us, but the financial backing behind them, the long-term outlook for the project."
It has nearly 300 signatures from residents and community leaders.
“We finally have an option that the community supports whose finances are right, with economic impact on a massive scale to our community, but at the same time, do so in a manner that has considered how this community looks, how it is, and how it wants to grow," Asciutto said.
CharlotteEAST is among the groups against building the large amphitheater, saying it wouldn't serve residents in that part of town.
"It is a destination, but in our eyes, it's not a destination for east Charlotteans," Asciutto said. "It's not something the direct community has demanded."
Last month, the City of Charlotte created a survey asking the community for feedback on what they are looking for. They discussed the findings Monday night when the city staff members gave Charlotte City Council an update on Eastland Yards.
The responses included amenities people were hoping for as well as concerns such as traffic and accessibility to the public. However, the survey didn't ask which of the two proposals people would prefer. Councilmember Lawana Mayfield said Monday she was concerned that only 45% of people surveyed live in east Charlotte.
After updating council on the two proposals and survey findings, staff members recommended QC East as the most viable business plan. Assistant director of economic development, Todd DeLong, said the indoor sports complex still had an unclear financing plan and changed the developers behind the project.
DeLong explained the indoor complex was a good plan but he didn't know how long it would take to finalize details, whereas QC East is ready to get started.
The endorsement confused several council members, who said it was out of order.
"This is insulting to the people around this table," councilmember James Mitchell said.
Mitchell disliked staff making a recommendation while saying at the same time they didn't need a vote from council. Mitchell added a recommendation should have first come from the council's Economic Development committee.
However, other council members defended city staff, saying they were simply doing what council previously asked of them.
Several people in the meeting audience stood and applauded the endorsement of QC East, but Asciutto and many of his neighbors are frustrated with the decision.
"Where else have we seen a government agency own land, fail on promises for 10 years to deliver something, and then continue to directly go against exactly what the community who has been waiting on development says to do?" Asciutto asked.
After a contentious debate during city council, members referred the Eastland Yards discussion to the Economic Development committee.
CharlotteEAST has pleaded for city leaders to make a decision on Eastland Yards. Now, Asciutto said he’s willing to wait a bit longer if it means they can work out the indoor sports complex.
City council was expected to make a final vote in August but now that timeline is unclear. Chair of the ED committee, Councilmember Malcolm Graham, told WCNC Charlotte the committee will meet in August.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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