MATTHEWS, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte has learned new details on the 80-acre mixed-use development possibly coming to Matthews.
The developers behind Metropolitan and Birkdale Village are hoping to make their mark in Matthews. Pappas Properties is planning a $160 million project of residential, commercial and office space off Idlewild Road.
"This plan aligns well with the town of Matthews recently-approved Eastern Gateway plan,” founder Peter Pappas told WCNC Charlotte.
The town hopes to develop the plot of land, calling it the Eastern Gateway in a plan developed in November 2021.
Pappas hopes to get the town council's approval to rezone and develop the land for his "Sante Matthews" project.
"It’s important to me and it's important to our company that whatever we do adds value to the communities we work in,” Pappas said.
The plan sprawls across 80 acres and includes 14 single-family homes and 120 town homes for sale. The community will also have 187 units for 55-plus living, and 341 multi-family units for rent.
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The area around Idlewild and Stallings Roads is being developed with other single family developments and apartment buildings.
However, neighbors like David Gaertner oppose having high density housing and rentals in the area.
"It's gonna be a nightmare," Gaertner said.
He worries the roads can’t handle the influx of residents. Pappas said the Sante Matthews project will fix that.
"Our plan makes significant transportation improvements to this area that otherwise aren’t funded," Pappas said. "We’ll widen Idlewild Road, we’ll provide signalization at Idlewild and the new Stallings Road.”
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The community would move the current Stallings Road farther away from the highway and has a trail, public park, and grocery store.
Gaertner said he’s meeting with Pappas in November to seek solutions for their differences.
Pappas Properties will present its plans at the Nov. 14 town council meeting.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.