STEELE CREEK NEWS

$34M for Capital Projects in Steele Creek is on Hold

(August 4, 2010) Mecklenburg County voters approved bonds in 2007 and 2008 for six projects in Steele Creek that are still on hold. Two of these are school projects that were approved in 2007 and four are park projects that were approved in 2008. Because of revenue shortfalls, the Mecklenburg County Commissioners have chosen not to sell bonds that would fund the projects.

The total cost for the six projects is almost $34 million. Over half of this is  for a new elementary school in the Palisades area across from McDowell Nature Preserve.

Park Projects

• Thomas McAlister Winget District Park - $ 2,716,000 - The third and final phase of the park. Amenities yet to be built per the approved site master plan include three softball fields, amphitheatre, picnic sites, indoor shelter, restroom, athletic field lighting, and walking trails
• Walker Branch Greenway Trail Extension
- $ 1,176,000 - An extension of the current Walker Branch Greenway Trail south to Smith Road, including a bridge across Walker Branch to provide access the Steele Creek Athletic Association fields. The current .4 mile trail was built by the developers of RiverGate Shopping Center. Mecklenburg County has yet to fund construction of any greenways in Steele Creek.
• Palisades Neighborhood Park
- $ 311,581 - A neighborhood park to be built in conjunction with the new Palisades-area elementary school. It will include a playground, picnic area, and trails along with the joint use of ball fields, parking, and other facilities at the elementary school.
• Sugar Creek Greenway Trail - $ 6,000,000 - A partnership with the developers of City Park, the mixed use development at the site of the old coliseum, the trail will continue past Tyvola Road to S Tryon Street and provide a connection to Waddell High School. Not to be confused with the more well known Little Sugar Creek, Sugar Creek forms the northeastern boundary of the Steele Creek community.

• Olympic High School Stadium - Bond Approved: $ 6,847,500 - Overall Budget:
  $ 8,573,640 - Construction of a new, 4,000 seat stadium with a new track, new concession stands and restrooms, and artificial turf. Also repairs to the school's roofing.
• New Elementary School - Bond approved: $ 16,896,000 - Overall Budget: $ 17,067,962 - 39 classroom elementary school to be located on York Road across from McDowell Nature Preserve. This also is the site of the Palisades Neighborhood Park and a future high school.

Projects that were funded from 2007 and 2008 bonds include the Berewick and River Gate Elementary Schools and the Berewick Recreation Center. 

An interactive map of the projects is available at Postponed Capital Projects, 2010 - Charlote Observer - July 29, 2010.