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Dirt is Moving at Steele Creek's New Outlet Mall Site
When completed, the center will be home to more than 90 upscale brand name and designer outlet stores. Much of the merchandise will be last-year's styles or specially made for outlet stores so that it can be sold at reduced prices. The mall will have a racetrack style layout, with an interior loop similar to Concord Mills, but it will be about one fourth the size of Concord Mills. The design will be compatible with Berewick and will provide a unique, pedestrian-friendly open air experience with urban plazas. The mall is expected to draw shoppers from a large area around Charlotte to Steele Creek.
As the site plan below shows, the mall will be located on high ground south of Shopton Road overlooking I-485. The sections highlighted in yellow will not be built initially and will be used for future expansion. Spaces are reserved along the new Dixie River Road for five nationally-known sit-down restaurants. The parking lot will sit between the restaurants and the mall. The mall will not likely have a food court but should have a few small food options.
The site plan includes a large storm water retention pond. This is expected to be landscaped and accessible to pedestrians, unlike most similar ponds that are surrounded by chain link fences and weeds. Past development in the area has resulted in excessive sedimentation in Brown's Cove on Lake Wylie. Developers have agreed to include extensive erosion controls to help with runoff from the site. The south end of the development will have a hotel, offices, and other retail. Area residents have been concerned about traffic, but the project includes about $7.7 million in road improvements. The developers will pay the total cost but receive up to $5.1 million in property tax rebates from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County over ten years. The North Carolina Department of Transportation also will contribute to the cost of some improvements. Road work will include:
The site was annexed by the City of Charlotte at the June 24 City Council meeting. Developers desired to have the property within the city limits to receive services by the Charlotte Fire Department and other city agencies. Construction was able to proceed after the Charlotte City Council approved rezoning of the site in April. Developers also received approval for rezoning of a site along I-485 north of Arrowood Road that will allow construction of two billboards to announce to northbound I-485 motorists to take the next exit to go to the outlet mall. See also: To comment on this story, please visit the Steele Creek Forum. |
