Pools? Pickleball? Target? Charlotte weighing what to add to Eastland Yards site

A Charlotte City Council committee on Monday discussed the pros and cons of three potential developments vying for a more than 20 acre spot in Eastland Yards.

Developers of a tennis center, aquatic center and Target have all submitted proposals to the city to build on the site, formerly home to Eastland Mall, after Tepper Sports & Entertainment pulled out of plans to build there last year. After hearing the proposals, committee members voted to give developers 60 days to refine them.

Committee chairman Malcolm Graham said he wants more conversations with his colleagues about how to balance the public and private investment in a way that makes sense for Charlotte.

“What is the investment?” Graham asked. “Where’s that sweet spot that makes sense for everybody?”

Committee members expressed preferences for two recreational facility options, saying they’d provide more value to the community, but they’re hoping developers will return with a proposal for more private investment.

A Target store would require no public investment, but committee members expressed worry about a parking lot taking up most of the space. If Target returned with a more-condensed, urban style with a grocery store element, committee members said they would be more open to that option.

Here’s what we know so far about each of the options presented for each development. The Charlotte Ledger first reported on these options last week.

Aquatics center, tennis courts or Target?

Aquatics center

• Charlotte-based Bucci Development proposed a 13-acre aquatics center with three pools and up to 2,500 seats. There would be about 15 acres for additional development unused by the aquatics center.

• City staff told committee members Charlotte is in the top 25 competitive swimming markets, but still lacks pool and spectator space that has caused big competitions to overlook the Queen City.

• The project would cost up to $50 million. The developer is requesting $35 million to $45 million in public funding.

• The facility would host at least 26 events a year in USA swimming, collegiate swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming.
• $10 million would come from private funds in the form of naming rights, corporate sponsorship, charitable gifts and fundraising events.
• The center would be open to the public to use for a fee.
• Design and construction of the space would take two to three years. A nonprofit would be founded to hire an aquatics center director and run operations.

Racket sports entertainment district

• Charlotte-based nonprofit Carolina Serves proposed building a racket sports facility with more than 80 courts on 23.7 acres with a collegiate and professional spectator complex. The development leaves about 5 acres of vacant space.
• The facility would include tennis, pickleball and padel courts. Padel is an indoor mixture of tennis and squash.
• Carolina Serves anticipates 125 event days per year, bringing in 16,000 visitors.
• The racket sports facility would take seven to 10 months for design and up to 18 months for construction.
• Carolina Serves expects to raise $15 million privately, but is asking for $45 million in public money.
• Courts would be available to be rented out by the community for a fee — for example, $12 for 90 minutes. The center would also hold programming and open court time.

Target

• Retailer giant Target has proposed building a 148,000-square-foot store on the Eastland Yards site on 11-13 acres.
• Target anticipates the development would create 250 to 300 jobs.
• Target would invest $35 million plus land cost of the space and is not requesting public investment.

What do you want to see on the site?

We want to hear from you — which option would you most like to see in Eastland Yards? Take our poll below.

Want to see something different than retail or recreation? Send an email to gcontino@charlotteobserver.com.

What else is proposed for Eastland Yards?

For years, the city-owned land now known as Eastland Yards sat vacant, a vast parking lot cleared of buildings. A skate park was built on the site and vendors previously set up a flea market on weekends.

The construction underway on the west side of Eastland Yards is for 160 single-family homes and 260 apartments. There also could be about 70 senior living homes with an affordable component. The initial phase of the project will also include 17,500 square feet of office and retail. The entire project is expected to take five years to finish.

The 20 acres that were going to have a youth academy and soccer fields from Tepper Sports & Entertainment is up in the air as council waits another 60 days for refined proposals or additional options to use the space.

This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 6:02 PM.

Genna Contino

The Charlotte Observer

Genna Contino previously covered local government for the Observer, where she wrote about Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. She attended the University of South Carolina and grew up in Rock Hill.