Urban village Features a Quick Rail Commute, April 24,2002

Posted on Wed, Apr. 24, 2002

The first urban village specifically targeting the Charlotte-to-Pineville light-rail line is sure to attract the attention of commuters.

The $19 million project, 3030 South at New Bern Street Station, will be only a six-minute train ride from the center city.

Heath Partners and Crosland formed a joint venture -- Crosland Heath Partnership LLC -- to capitalize on public improvements the city is making to encourage development in the rail corridor.

The village, on South Boulevard at New Bern Street, will focus on residential development with 95 for-sale units, including townhomes, flats and live-work condominiums, which allow owners to live on one level and work on another.

But it also will have two small retail/office buildings to help create a storefront streetscape connecting South Boulevard to the light-rail platform behind the village near the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. plant.

The northern two miles of the same rail line have been generating commercial and residential development in anticipation of the Charlotte Trolley, which eventually will run between uptown and Tremont Avenue.

Until now, the portion of track beyond the trolley's end hasn't seen much new activity.

But real estate experts expect much more development as the city acquires right-of-way around the planned stations and establishes guidelines for new projects.

The developers of 3030 South believe their project will appeal to young professionals, empty nesters and active adults ready to leave the car in the garage.

Three-story buildings housing 25 two-bedroom townhomes, about 1,100 square feet each with private two-car garages, will line South Boulevard. Sixty-two one- and two-bedroom flats (690 to 1,160 square feet each and some with private two-car garages) will be built inside the village, around a garden square.

Eight units for living and/or working will be constructed between the two retail/office buildings, 6,800 square feet and 4,400 square feet respectively. Rooftop terraces, balconies and large windows will encourage residents to take advantage of the views.

Prices start at $125,900 for one-bedroom units, $163,900 for two-bedrooms and $299,000 for live-work condos.

Crosland bought the 4-acre site for $1.3 million nearly two years ago and initially planned to build apartments and about 25,000 square feet of office/retail space.

The city's planning was still in the early stages for the 15 stations along the 11.5 miles of track, and Crosland officials decided to wait for details to emerge.

Meanwhile, Andy Heath of Heath Partners, seeking land for a project, saw potential in the undeveloped Crosland site.

He formed the joint venture with Crosland, and they redesigned the project targeting buyers instead of renters and capitalizing on transit-oriented amenities proposed by the city.

A pocket park has been proposed across New Bern Street, where the Wachovia branch is now, and a pedestrian park is anticipated along the rail right-of-way between New Bern Street Station and Morehead Street.

In addition, the city plans to improve street lighting and sidewalks along South Boulevard, making pedestrian and bike access easier to the Sedgefield neighborhood.

The Charlotte Area Transit System expects to begin rail passenger service between Charlotte and Pineville in summer 2006.

Heath said construction of 3030 South could start by late summer or early fall. Completion is expected in summer 2003, but the first buyers likely would move in by spring 2003.

Charlotte's FMK Architects designed the project, and Crosland Contracting will build it. The project team includes The Littlejohn Group, which specializes in research, marketing and sales for residential projects.

The developers have opened a sales office on the site. More details are available on the Internet at www.3030south.com.

By Doug Smith, Charlotte Observer