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CORNELIUS The developer of the planned $515 million Village at Lake Norman mixed-used project, off the future Interstate 77 Exit 27, has renamed the project “Augustalee.”
The new name incorporates the first and middle names of Augusta Lee Chester Cooke, the late grandmother of the generation of Cookes from whom developer Cornelius Bromont LLC bought the 104-acre site, said Josh Rector, the firm's senior vice president.
Augustalee will be on the south side of Cornelius, between I-77 and U.S. 21. The developer expects the first retail stores to open in fall 2012.
The name also reflects the “warm, gracious, Southern hospitality” that the development will try to convey, Rector said at a news conference last week at Cornelius Bromont's offices on South Boulevard in Charlotte.
The Cooke family owned and farmed the land for at least a century, since before the town of Cornelius existed, Rector said. Augusta Cooke lived on the farm and cared for the large family, he said.
The four Cookes who sold the land gave a “teary-eyed standing ovation” when the developer mentioned the new name to them at the firm's offices two weeks ago, Rector said.
Cornelius Bromont, meanwhile, has been negotiating with several major prospective retail tenants, two “top-tier” national brand hotels and various prospective office users, but the developer can't announce them until lease agreements are signed, Rector said.
The development will feature luxury residences (starting at $350,000) above the retail stores, Class A office space in numerous buildings, parks, walking trails and other amenities.
Rector said the developer closed on its financing before the national economic downturn. Securing the financing allowed Cornelius Bromont to buy the property and begin designing the project's first phase.
A schematic design of the project has been completed, and the project's design team has created three-dimensional renderings of the development from various angles.
The developer continues to meet with regional, state and federal transportation agencies and has had “nothing but positive feedback from them,” Rector said.
Cornelius Bromont plans to pay up front to widen I-77 from Exit 23 in Huntersville to Exit 28 in Cornelius, which Rector said will benefit the entire region. The developer plans to seek reimbursement from the government through such possible financing measures as “certificates of participation,” a form of government-issued debt that doesn't require voter approval.
Microban celebrates
new headquarters
Microban International Ltd. officially opened its new $8.4 million headquarters in The Park Huntersville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week.
Microban, which makes antibacterial and antimicrobial products, has leased office space in The Park Huntersville, formerly the Huntersville Business Park, since the early 1990s. The company plans to add at least 45 jobs in the next few years.
The new headquarters building was constructed using “green” building practices, company officials said.
Cabarrus spay-neuter clinic reopens on Church St. N.
The Cabarrus Spay and Neuter Clinic, 413 Church St. N., has reopened.
The nonprofit clinic does surgical procedures, including reduced prices for spay and neutering of pets. Donations are accepted.
Details: 704-784-6304.
Planner to discuss plans
for housing development
Mooresville Planning Director Tim Brown will brief the Lake Davidson Committee Tuesday on a planned development by K. Hovnanian Homes that could add hundreds of residences to the north shore of the lake.
The 341-acre lake is separated from Lake Norman by Interstate 77 in north Mecklenburg and south Iredell.
The meeting is 9 a.m. at Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.
Mooresville and Davidson officials formed the committee to study lake preservation measures amid ongoing growth pressures.
Since 1980, when development of Spinnaker Cove began on Lake Davidson, the Davidson Town Board has regulated the size of boat motors through zoning. Each subsequent town board conditioned approvals of Lake Davidson subdivision plans on the 10-horsepower limit.
The towns have discussed an “interlocal agreement” that would make uniform the restrictions on boats docked at or accessing using the lake. Builder completing ‘green-built' home
Huntersville-based Green Built Custom Homes Inc. is completing a $675,000 “green-built” home at 103 Bedford Lane in Mooresville.
Builder Brian George, who owns Green Built Custom Homes, has incorporated green elements into the home from the ground up. Called “The Greenway,” the four-bedroom, four full-bath home will be rated by a third party for Energy Star and Earth Craft House compliance.
George has been in the home building industry for 20 years and worked for some of the nation's largest builders. He has a “Certified Green Builder” designation. Details: www.GreenBuiltCustom Homes.com or www.Eco Broker.com.
Q&A
Q. When is the new Bloom grocery store on Brawley School Road at Stutts Road scheduled to open?
– Don, Mooresville
The store is scheduled to open by year's end, but parent company Food Lion isn't ready to announce a grand opening date, spokeswoman Karen Peterson said.
