East Charlotte Neighborhood Faces Economic Struggles Amid Crime Issues
In the heart of Charlotte, residents along the Milton Road corridor can’t help but feel the weight of their community’s challenges. The closing of a beloved Pizza Hut location earlier this year serves as a stark reminder of the struggles gripping this neighborhood, which locals say has been overlooked by city officials for far too long.
A Community’s Concerns
According to Greg Asciutto, the executive director of the nonprofit CharlotteEAST, the absence of economic opportunities is a result of persistent issues such as gun violence, vagrancy, and drug dealing. “The economic opportunity sure is lacking, which is something that we’re trying to fix,” he explained in a recent interview. “It’s a vicious cycle because at the same time, you can’t get economic opportunity if you have this blight and vagrancy. And it just self-perpetuates.”
The Pizza Hut, located at 1909 Milton Road, shut its doors in late summer. This vacant building now symbolizes the struggle for economic growth in an area that desperately needs it. Asciutto further stated, “There’s a highly visible and active criminal element that makes it difficult for businesses to survive.”
The Closing of Pizza Hut
In an email to Asciutto prior to the closure, Tyler Hebert, the vice president of operations for the franchisee ADT Pizza, shared some troubling insights. Despite multiple attempts to involve local law enforcement to address issues such as drug dealing and littering in their parking lot, Hebert felt compelled to close the location permanently, citing the need to protect employees and customers from a “kind of nonsense” that simply shouldn’t be tolerated.
Hebert chose to remain out of the press as the situation worsened. In an email, he mentioned, “Let’s focus on the growth and job creation we are doing in all of our other locations,” highlighting the challenges his franchise faces within the community.
A Community Divided
The Pizza Hut building now stands stripped of its logos, surrounded by a neighborhood that tells a complex story. Just across the street, a convenience store parking lot has unfortunately become a hub for drug activity. Despite the presence of family-friendly establishments like a daycare, the atmosphere is marred by instances of drug use and disturbing occurrences: a woman with unsteady footing, and groups of individuals sitting outside an apartment complex amidst litter.
Arthur Sanchez, a long-time resident, reflected on his once-peaceful neighborhood. “It’s just real disheartening, real frustrating,” he shared, revealing his own home was recently hit by a stray bullet, which nearly injured his mother. He recognized the growing threats of vagrancy and drug use, questioning whether he should remain in an area that has changed so drastically over the years.
Voices for Change
Sanchez has taken initiative by documenting abandoned homes, illegal dumping, and homeless encampments, reaching out to city officials for help but often finding their responses lacking or dismissive. “It felt less like they were delegating responsibilities and more like they were abdicating their responsibility to the specific ‘neglected’ community I’ve been living in for about 20 years,” he expressed in frustration.
These concerns fall within the jurisdiction of City Councilwoman Danté Anderson, who, when asked about the issues, indicated her willingness to collaborate with other council members to address residents’ concerns. She emphasized that her team is working to increase police presence and engage with community groups, but worries linger about the lack of investment in the Milton Road corridor.
Hope for Improvement
Erica Frazier, president of the Hampshire Hills neighborhood association, remembered better days when businesses like McDonald’s and Food Lion flourished in the area. She described recent years as heartbreaking, witnessing the rise of predatory businesses and a rapid deterioration that should not happen in such a short time.
As local residents and activists continue to push for improvements and fight back against the tide of decline, the hope remains that city leaders will finally heed their calls for action. Without meaningful attention and resources, residents fear their beloved neighborhood risks irreversible damage.
A Call to Action
Residents continue to urge city hall to recognize their plight and take action before it’s too late. With a united voice, they hope to transform their community back into a thriving hub where businesses can prosper and families can feel safe.
In the face of these challenges, the east Charlotte community shows resilience and determination. Whether this neighborhood can reverse its fortunes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the residents are ready to fight for their corner of Charlotte.
