CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers have shared new details on plans to revamp their practice facility near the Bank of America Stadium.
The team filed a rezoning petition in February to expand and upgrade the existing practice site -- about two years after its planned facility in Rock Hill failed.
Charlotte City Council held a public hearing on the new plans during its Monday night zoning meeting. Officials representing Tepper Sports & Entertainment presented preliminary renderings and site plans. A nearby neighbor also shared his concerns with the facility.
Caroline Wright, Chief Venues Officer for Tepper Sports & Entertainment, said the future field house was originally going to be 95 feet, but after getting feedback from neighbors, they are going to reduce the peak of the triangle roof to 70 feet tall.
The upgraded practice facility includes a new field house, upgraded outdoor fields, and a fan viewing deck.
Panthers practice facility renderings
Attorney Jeff Brown said the layout and plans are, "constrained a good bit by the transit line that is also on the full length of the site." Plans for the future CATS Silver Line go directly next to the property. To make room for the transit line and full-sized fields, the plans move the fence along South Cedar Street back, which eliminates several trees.
"We wish there was more room to be able to save that row of trees," Brown said.
Neighbor Wesley Clark wishes the Panthers would change where the field house is going on the property.
"No one in the community was okay with this," Clark told city council members.
Clark worries the facility will block views of Uptown. "It really is just an eyesore where it is," he added.
Periodic restaurant and retail use and room for up to 5,000 fans are also in the upgrades but Brown argued the site is mostly fields, which is optimal for skyline views.
"We feel like that's actually, in many ways, a positive," Brown said.
Councilman Malcolm Graham, who represents the part of Uptown where the facility is, says he will continue to work with neighbors and the Panthers to resolve outstanding issues and hopes the council will vote on the plans next month.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.