Prominent Charlotte church site could be redeveloped amid growth in NoDa neighborhood
A developer is planning to redevelop a site that has housed a well-known Charlotte church, in what would be a major transformation for a prominent NoDa block.
In a letter sent to nearby residents, land use attorney Collin Brown from law firm Alexander Ricks PLLC told residents that Ascent Real Estate Capital is planning a potential mixed-use project on the 1.47-acre site. It’s at the southeast intersection of North Alexander and East 36th streets.
The letter invited those residents to a meeting on March 25.
In an interview Monday, Brown said preliminary plans call for retail on the ground-floor along 36th Street, with a focus on bringing in small businesses, and apartments on top. But he said the specifics will be shaped by the conversations with neighbors.
The site has been home to Forest Hill Church, one of the city’s most well-known megachurches with six locations.
A Forest Hill representative said the NoDa church had closed, and the church’s website no longer lists the location. The Observer’s request for comment was directed to another staff member who did not immediately return a call.
Developer Centro Cityworks is partnering with Ascent on the project.
Smaller space, smaller costs
David Furman, a local architect and principal with Centro Cityworks, said the goal is to create smaller apartments and retail space, which helps bring down the cost for tenants.
It’s modeled after the Railyard project the firms built in South End, which has studios that are around 400 square feet, and retail spaces that are about 350 square feet, Furman said.
He said the goal is to create an option for “folks that want to live right smack in the middle of a great neighborhood like NoDa, and are willing to sacrifice that square footage for the amenities that that neighborhood offers.”
The key NoDa site has remained under the same ownership for years, property records show, even as the NoDa neighborhood has shifted. Furman said the property is under contract.
New apartments, retail and other development has transformed the North Davidson Street corridor. That rapid growth has spilled over into surrounding neighborhoods like Optimist Park and Villa Heights.
This story was originally published March 15, 2021 at 4:12 PM.
