CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-based developer is working to turn a once-blighted area in east Charlotte into a bright spot for the community.
The East Town Market, located on East W.T. Harris Blvd. near North Sharon Amity Road, may have once been a spot only for shopping and dining but now a developer is seeking solutions to make sure people there have access to health care.
"It was in total disrepair," Todd Collins, the CEO of Red Hill Ventures, explained. "Much of the infrastructure was damaged or decayed."
Collins, who first bought the shopping center property in 2017, said they faced an uphill battle.
"When we would come and work within the community, we would always see an issue," he said. "There is a lack of services for those communities."
Collins said the property was largely vacant with 40% economic occupancy. He knew there was an opportunity.
"We needed healthcare. We needed education," he said. "We needed people to work and eat and just enjoy the center."
He said a pediatric dentist's office was top on his list.
"I knew that there was no care in this area. In fact, our research showed that there was almost 15,000 kids within 3 miles of this center with no children’s dentist," James McGarvey, the chief practice development officer for Hickory Grove Pediatric Dentistry.
Hickory Grove Pediatric Dentistry is one of the 45 new tenants at East Town Market over the last several years. From barbershops to restaurants, and also childcare and primary health care services, Collins said the center has had a $24 million economic impact so far.
"We’ve just recruited a law firm. We have a general medical practitioner who’s moving in. So, we are starting to see a bit of momentum," Collins said. "What we’d love to do is get healthier food options from either regional or local brands and we would also like to get additional health care providers."
Collins said East Town Market has employed more than 200 people so far.
Contact Nick Sturdivant at nsturdiva1@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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