Alexander Farm at Westmoreland, Catawba

Jan. 5. By Dave Vieser. The developers of the $110 million mixed-use project at Westmoreland and West Catawba say they could begin clearing the 55-acre farm late next month or early March, depending on contractor availability.

The Alexander Farm was the last working farm on the west side of I-77 in Cornelius.

Tenant farmers stayed in this house. Photo Dan Morrill

There are no official plans to save any of the buildings on the property although a last-minute effort to move a tenant farmer dwelling needs funding, according to Mecklenburg County historian Dan Morrill.

Timetable

The groundbreaking is behind schedule.

The purchase by WIN Development was originally expected to occur by fall, but was just recently completed according to local real estate attorney Susan Irvin, said groundbreaking could occur in late February or early March.

Plans filed with the town show 120,360 square feet of commercial space including a Lidl grocery store; 200,000 square feet for senior independent living units and 76 single-family detached homes priced around $600,000.

Details

Technically, Alexander Farms MU, LLC, a WIN-related entity, is still the project applicant, and will work on the commercial end, but “they are working with two River Rock Communities entities (based out of Mooresville) on the single-family and active adult portions,” said Irvin. Also involved is Southcrest, a brokerage firm that represents River Rock Communities in their residential projects.

Road improvements

The plan includes widening Westmoreland Road to four lanes from West Catawba to Eagle Ridge Drive. There is ongoing discussion with the NC Dept. of Transportation to add an interchange on I-77 just to the east on Westmoreland.

Improvements to the entrance and exit of the Westmoreland Athletic Complex, and numerous turning lanes in the area will also be made.

Last farm west of I-77

The late Eugene Alexander was the last remaining farmer on the western side of town until 2013. He died New Years Day 2014 at the age of 96. A recent effort to save and relocate the farm’s tenant house located on the northwest corner of the property faces a tight February timetable.

The property

55 acres at W. Catawba (left) and Westmoreland (bottom) (Screen shot from Mecklenburg tax records)