CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte city leaders heard new information on development plans for Eastland Yards formerly known as the old Eastland Mall on Monday.
There's still about 20 acres of land that remains unaccounted for after Tepper Sports' departure from the project last summer.
As of now, the city of Charlotte has narrowed it down to two options.
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 learning center and more.
On Monday, the Jobs and Economic Development Committee meeting leaders took a deep dive into those two options.
“What is their ability to pull this off?” assistant city manager and economic development director Tracy Dodson asked.
Charlotte City council member Malcolm Graham said it's important to note that, despite no decision being made yet on the unaccounted land, there has been progress at the development site.
“A lot is happening and has been happening over the last year-and-a-half to get us to this point," Graham said.
The developer of Eastland Yards has remained silent on which option they prefer, but at the meeting, Tim Sittema with Crosland Southwest said they think QC East makes the most sense.
“The QC East proposal has a higher probability of success," Sittema said. "It meets the timing requirements, and there’s no question the food and beverage piece is more aligned with the discussions I’ve had with the community in the past."
Meanwhile, east Charlotte community members said 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 in July. "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."
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
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.
The meeting concluded with ranking the proposals. QC East is No. 1 and the indoor sports complex is No. 2. Charlotte leaders will request any additional information if needed and both petitioners can provide clarifying documents that can be submitted this Friday, Aug. 11. This was voted on and passed 3-to-1.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte's Where's The Money series is all about leveling the playing in the Carolinas by helping others and breaking down barriers. WCNC Charlotte doesn't want our viewers to be taken advantage of, so we’re here to help. Watch previous stories where we ask the question “Where’s the Money” in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.