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Residents Express Frustration with Highway 160 at Annual Meeting (March 5, 2013) A record crowd of 200 to 250 people attended the 2013 meeting of the Steele Creek Residents Association at Winget Park Elementary School on February 28.
Bob Cook, Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO) Secretary, discussed the process for updating their Long Range Transportation Plan, which currently goes through 2035. State Highway 160 (Steele Creek Road) is ranked far enough down on the list of prospective projects that its widening would not occur for decades. However, MUMPO is in the process of updating its ranking criteria in preparation for updating its Long Range Transportation Plan. Highway 160 could potentially move up in the rankings. The new 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan should be updated by March 2014. Based on the comments from the audience, the widening of Highway 160 cannot come too soon. Traffic and congestion have increased as new residential and commercial development has occurred in the area. The opening of I-485 has tended to direct traffic down Highway 160 to employment centers in the Westinghouse Boulevard corridor. New retail development, such as the RiverGate expansion and the Charlotte Premium Outlets will further increase traffic. Highway 160 not only has become more congested, but it has become more hazardous to travel on. But as Mecklenburg County Commissioner Dumont Clarke, who represents Mecklenburg County on MUMPO, stated, MUMPO is responsible for transportation planning but not funding. Charles Jeter, who represents District 92 and thus most of Steele Creek in the North Carolina House of Representatives, said that there was "no bigger priority on my itinerary than 160." Steele Creek residents are hopeful that Highway 160 will be a priority for planners as well as legislators as the new 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan is developed. Karl Froelich, President of the Steele Creek Residents Association, proposed the following resolution:
The resolution passed unanimously. Scott Cole with the North Carolina Department of Transportation talked about some of the other planned road improvements in the area. Residents also heard about three new commercial developments in Steele Creek. The biggest is the new Charlotte Premium Outlets at I-485 and Steele Creek Road. Tanger Outlets and Simon Property Group are partnering to build a 350,000 square foot mall that will have over 90 stores and employ more than 900 people. It is scheduled for opening in 2014. Construction will soon begin on the Berewick Town Center, which will be anchored by a Harris-Teeter grocery. The Town Center is designed to provide neighborhood services to the local residents and should complement the outlet mall being built nearby. Peter Pappas, Berewick Developer, said that the stone work at Berewick Manor House has inspired the center's design.
RiverGate shopping center also is expanding into a 22 acre site where apartments originally were planned. Chris Thomas of Childress Klein, the developer of RiverGate, said that they are still working on written agreements with potential tenants, but expect to see nationally known stores that will complement those already at the center. Finally, attendees heard two big announcements. Jim Hovis, Chair of the Steele Creek YMCA Board of Managers, announced that a fundraising drive will soon begin to build a family YMCA in Steele Creek. They have already received a pledge equivalent to 30% of the total cost. The final site has not yet been determined but is expected to be near the intersection of S Tryon Street and Steele Creek Road. Mr. Hovis said to expect to see the new family YMCA open in 3 to 4 years. Charles Wilkerson, President of the Arrowood Business Association, announced the formation of the Olympic Foundation. Its mission will be to make a direct impact towards change at the Olympic Community of Schools.
Steele Creek Division - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
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