Historic Charlotte school being restored as part of mixed-use development
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A nearly 100-year-old landmark in a historically Black Charlotte neighborhood will remain in part thanks to a new development.
City Council members unanimously approved Monday night rezoning plans to turn the historic Wilmore School into a mixed-use development with housing and retail. The school built in 1925 sits at the corner of West Boulevard and South Mint Street, just blocks from the ever-growing South End.
Century-old school structure remains part of Charlotte’s Cherry neighborhood
The 3.2-acre property is owned by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, but the rezoning petition was filed by Wilmore Preservation LLC. The approval also moves the property into the city’s historic district overlay.
Plans include creating up to 250 multi-family units, 3,500 square feet of retail and 4,300 square feet of office or community center-like uses. City leaders were pleased with the action taken to preserve the landmark.
“I’m excited to see it finally come through,” Councilwoman Victoria Watlington said. “I know we were in conversations to create an intersection here that’s cohesive and works with this rezoning and this development. I think it’ll be a great asset for the neighborhood.”
The housing will have 5 percent of units designated as affordable housing. Though the original structure will be preserved, there will be a building added to the property.
Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield was relieved to see encroaching gentrification staved. Wilmore is one of the city’s eight Local Historic Districts.
“The South Boulevard (transit-oriented development) is coming further and further into the community,” she said. “People who have been there for generations are being pushed further and further away. I appreciate the fact that they are preserving the school and the history of Wilmore. Wilmore is its own area. It is not LoSo or Hi-So or whatever new name. It is Wilmore. I appreciate that it is being maintained for future generations.”
The project also includes a 12-foot multi-use path along West Blvd., plus an 8-foot sidewalk along Mint Street and Kingston Avenue.
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