Concerns Rising in Charlotte After Council Approves Changes to Historic Landmarks

Concerns Rising in Charlotte After Council Approves Changes to Historic Landmarks

In the heart of Charlotte, residents are feeling the pinch as the City Council gives the green light to amend historic landmark status on a parcel of land that has become a controversial topic. On Monday, the council approved removing the historic designation from approximately 23 acres in the Steele Creek neighborhood, which surrounds significant structures such as the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church and cemetery. This decision has sparked feelings of frustration and being unheard among community members.

What Changed?

The sanctuary and the cemetery will retain their historic status, but the surrounding land, owned by the city on behalf of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, will no longer carry that designation. This amendment allows Foundry Commercial, a real estate investment firm, to push forward with plans to develop around 900,000 square feet of warehouse space in the area. The good news, according to Brian Clarke, chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, is that this change is essential to preserving the historic sanctuary, which is over 135 years old and currently sits empty.

In an exciting twist, Foundry intends to gift the sanctuary to She Built This City, a nonprofit aimed at training women in construction and manufacturing. This organization plans to restore the sanctuary and use it as its headquarters. The cemetery, along with the tree-lined lawn, is said to be untouched in this plan.

Voices of Concern

However, residents express deep concern that without anything formal in writing, Foundry could potentially demolish the sanctuary at any time. Steele Creek resident, Stephanie Lanse, voiced her anxiety, stating, “There needs to be a contract to hold Foundry accountable… We need to slow down and talk about this.” The rush of changes has left many in the community feeling like their voices don’t matter.

The Bigger Picture

As one of the busiest airports globally, Charlotte Douglas is essential for accommodating growing travel demands. Part of the airport’s expansion includes plans for a logistics hub, which will further transform the Steele Creek neighborhood. In addition, the city is seeking voluntary sales from nearby residents, especially those suffering from noise pollution. As Lanse pointed out, there are 330 city-owned parcels in the region, which leads many to feel that the airport is dismantling their community piece by piece.

“If we find ourselves in a position where we no longer feel comfortable,” Lanse emphasized, “we want a fair price.” It’s abundantly clear that residents desire to protect their neighborhood’s identity. The church has historical sentiments as it stands as the second oldest house of worship in Mecklenburg County, founded back in 1760.

Mixed Sentiments on Preservation

Although the community longs for assurances regarding Foundry’s intentions, the existing negotiations hint at a reassuring path forward. Once finalized, Foundry aims to allocate $50,000 to assist in relocating another historic site, the John Douglas House, for preservation efforts. However, unless residents see tangible agreements that clarify Foundry’s commitments, skepticism looms heavily.

During a heated council meeting, member Tiawana Brown expressed empathy towards constituents yet defended the decision to amend the landmark protections. According to Brown, strategic cooperation with Foundry and She Built This City is ultimately the best chance for the sanctuary’s survival. She reiterated the council’s need for increased transparency with the public, acknowledging the current frustration and distrust resident sentiments stem from.

The Road Ahead

Moving forward, Clarke and the landmarks commission are striving for a written agreement that would help ensure the historic landmarks are preserved indefinitely. Meanwhile, an airport spokesperson reassured that Foundry would be legally bound to protect the property through deed restrictions. Yet—community members remained skeptical, evident from their lime green shirts that read “Save Steeleberry Acres.”

This vibrant neighborhood is at a crossroads. As plans to develop continue to materialize, residents are rallying for the preservation of their history and his space, demanding that their voices be heard and respected. It remains to be seen how these developments will blend future growth with a genuine commitment to community heritage.