CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new proposal could bring a highly anticipated sports complex to Eastland Yards with a lower price tag.
The new proposal for the 29-acre complex would come with an indoor sports center and six full-sized, multipurpose outdoor fields. Several plans for the old Eastland Mall site have fallen by the wayside, but could a $67 million price tag help developers finally break ground on the project?
"It's been a long two years," Greg Asciutto, the executive director of CharlotteEAST, said. "We're looking very much forward to getting this last check-off by City Council."
After years of talks, the addition of a sports complex in east Charlotte is inching closer to reality. The last step to get the stamp of approval will come from Charlotte City Council.
"It's time to close the loop on that," City Councilman Malcolm Graham said.
The council will discuss the proposal in August. Previous proposals included costs ranging from $80 million to $100 million. The latest price is about $15 million cheaper than the lowest previous estimate.
"We just want to make sure that the investment from the private side is secure," Graham said. "And I believe that it is and that we look forward to moving forward."
The 29-acre portion of Eastland Yards became available again in 2022 when Tepper Sports & Entertainment decided to abandon its plans. Asciutto is excited about the results of the latest proposal.
"I have full confidence in the team behind the sports complex, the merged entity that's coming together to bring both that facility and the soccer fields to the Eastland site," he said.
City leaders and CharlotteEast are confident the latest plan will add new life to an area that's been abandoned since Eastland Mall closed in 2010.
"This is a true asset and priority for the city itself, not just for east Charlotte," Asciutto said.
If approved, developers hope to break ground by the end of the year. Construction will take two years.
Eastland Yards timeline
- December 2023: City leaders learn it could take an additional $15M to complete the Eastland project after approving $30M
- November 2023: City Council approves 5 acres for a public park on the Eastland Mall site
- October 2023: Competing developers agree to come together with a single vision for Eastland complex
- August 2023: City Council asks developers to combine their plans for Eastland Yards
- June 2023: East Charlotte groups push city leaders to decide on Eastland development
- December 2022: New proposal submitted after Tepper withdraws from Eastland
- July 2022: Tepper Sports & Entertainment pulls out of Eastland project
- March 2022: Eastland DIY skate park demolished
- August 2021: Mecklenburg County commissioners approve agreement with tax incentives for Eastland site
- October 2020: Charlotte FC says it won't have team HQ at Eastland, but still plans to be involved
- June 2020: City Council unanimously approves rezoning to build Charlotte FC HQ on Eastland site
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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