A two-day public workshop is planned Wednesday and Thursday, July 23-24, to begin planning for a proposed mixed-use development on the 5.5-acre Metrolina Warehouse site at Jackson and Depot streets downtown.

As DavidsonNews.net reported last month, a Raleigh-based developer is considering the site for a project that could include stores, offices and residences, and could be tied closely to development of the commuter rail station planned on Jackson Street. (See June 20, 2008, “Developer eyes warehouse for mixed-use project.”)

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Metrolina Warehouse, also known as the Linden Cotton Mill.

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

A Raleigh developer is considering buying the former Metrolina Warehouse at Jackson and Depot streets downtown for conversion into a mixed-use project that could include a commuter rail station, retail stores, residences and offices.

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Workshop looks at parking, traffic and redevelopment of old mill

Brian Jenest of Cole Jenest & Stone (left) and Brian Nadolny of CATS show an aerial photo of the proposed Davidson commuter rail station area at Friday’s workshop. (David Boraks photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Planners, transit officials, property owners and residents gathered at Town Hall Friday afternoon to begin sketching what the area around a future downtown commuter rail station might look like. The conversation focused on details – such as the number of parking spaces needed, traffic flows and potential new streets – and also grand plans, including the tantalizing possibility of a major redevelopment of the aging mill complex off Depot Street known as the Metrolina Warehouse.

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Town boards in Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius and Mooresville all have endorsed the creation of a regional body that would allow the towns to cooperate in solving common transportation issues. The agreement was the major recommendation of the four-town Mayors Transportation Task Force, which held a series of meetings this winter and spring to study regional solutions to north Mecklenburg and south Iredell transportation problems.

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The Charlotte City Council Monday night unanimously approved a contract for up to $8.5 million to begin engineering for the proposed North Corridor Commuter Rail Line, which would run from Charlotte to Davidson and possibly Mount Mourne. Read the full story

The Town Board gave the Public Art Task force the green light Tuesday to apply for a pair of grants. In a 3½-hour Town Hall meeting, the board also heard an update on the MI-Connection cable system, endorsed an engineering contract for the North Line Commuter Rail Line, approved several budget amendments and discussed long-term budget priorities, including proposals for a new Town Hall, a community center and park improvements. Read the full story

Charlotte Area Transit System will ask the Charlotte City Council for $30 million to begin engineering on a Northeast light rail line, to University City, the Charlotte Observer reports this morning. CATS also will ask for $8.5 million to start work on the proposed commuter rail line to north Mecklenburg, but one city council member thinks the line is “not necessary yet.”

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Huntersville transportation planer Bill Coxe speaks at Wednesday’s meeting. (David Boraks photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Members of the four-town North Mecklenburg-South Iredell Transportation Task Force were told Wednesday that funding to widen I-77 to four lanes in each direction likely will not be available for years. During a meeting at Cornelius Town Hall, task force members discussed how to speed the work but also whether to make it a top priority or focus on other, more do-able tasks.

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