Kathy Cusick
July 3. By Suzanne Fulton. It was five years ago that neighbors Kathy Cusick and Cindy and Greg Harris became the first homeowners in Bailey’s Glen, the over-55 neighborhood on 145 acres behind Bailey Middle School and Hough High School.
“All that appeared before us five years ago were two sales models…not even a dirt road beyond the corner of Meeting House Drive and Neville Road,” Cindy Harris said. But she and Greg had done their homework. “We looked at over-55 communities all over the South. We had a good feeling,” Cindy said.
Nearly 200 of the 372 planned lots have been sold and construction on a 132-unit, three-story condominium complex with pool should start in 2016. Amenities include a large clubhouse flanked by a swimming pool and outdoor game courts; there are social gatherings at the clubhouse, kayaks to rent, pocket parks, a community garden, and residents are promised a woodworking facility, dog park and trail.
The Harrises dove into swimming, bocce ball, games at the clubhouse and group trips to places like Asheville. Like many newcomers to Cornelius, Cusick and the Harrises hail from colder states and have adult children in the Lake Norman area. It’s shifting the balance of political power, too.
Now, politicians from the west side of town court voters in new eastside neighborhoods like Antiquity and Bailey’s Glen. More development is coming, too.
+ Beverly Subdivision where Bayard Development will construct 39 single-family homes on 44 acres adjacent to the eastside of Hough High School.
+ Avery Park, just beyond and across from Hough High, will host 94 houses built by M/I Homes as well as 40 percent open space.
+ Bailey’s Glen II, containing 78 lots, will emerge farther down Bailey Road.
Commercial construction is well under way in the 130-acre Antiquity community. Begun in 2008, many of the planned 1,000 residences are occupied. Two apartment complexes, one for residents over 55, will be situated near the Harris Teeter grocery store that’s under way. Venture Properties is the developer.
