Why city is suing the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte over a sliver of land

The city of Charlotte is suing the Charlotte Catholic Diocese over a small plot of land in Ballantyne.

The city acquired the rights to about one-third of an acre as part of its Rea Road widening project, according to court filings. The diocese owned the property, which is near St. Matthew Catholic Church, one of the largest Catholic parishes in the country.

Eminent domain laws allow the city to take private land for public use. In this case, Charlotte wants to install and maintain public utilities such as a bus shelter or bench, utility poles and sidewalks on the diocese land.

The two parties haven’t been able to agree on an appropriate sale price, however. Charlotte proposed $149,750 for the land, according to a complaint the city filed with the Mecklenburg County Superior Court. The court ordered this sum be paid to the diocese while the case proceeds, with the potential for additional compensation.

The diocese likened the suit to a formality rather than a broader dispute over property rights.

“There’s no disagreement over this land – the filing is just part of the process for determining fair market value,” diocese spokesperson Liz Chandler told The Charlotte Observer. “We always appreciate working with the city.”

Charlotte spokesperson Jack VanderToll said the city was unable to comment on active litigation.

City Council voted to condemn the land for purchase in February 2024 as part of its $14.3 million road widening investment. Rea Road is a major thoroughfare just off Interstate 485.

The project is intended to alleviate traffic congestion between Williams Pond Lane and I-485 by adding an additional northbound and southbound lane and increasing turn-lane capacity, according to the city’s website. The city also plans to install sidewalks on both sides of the street and improve curbs and gutters, ramps and driveways.

The court scheduled a jury trial for July 2026 to determine “just compensation,” according to court documents.

This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Nick Sullivan

The Charlotte Observer

Nick Sullivan is the city reporter for The Charlotte Observer. Before moving to the Queen City, he covered the Arizona Department of Education for The Arizona Republic, where he received national recognition for investigative reporting from the Education Writers Association. He also covered K-12 schools at The Colorado Springs Gazette. Nick is one of those Ohio transplants everybody likes to complain about, but he’s learning the ways of the South. When he’s not on the clock, he’s probably eating his weight in brisket at Midwood Smokehouse.