Rendering: W Catawba to the left, Westmoreland to the right
July 27. By Dave Vieser. Just as the farmhouse at Alexander Farm was coming down came word that two more retailers—Papa John’s Pizza and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice—will be setting up shop within the $110 million development.
A Lidl store has already been announced, as well as plans for an unnamed dental practice.
More deals are being negotiated, but the project, which will transform this iconic property, is moving forward.
McInerney
We caught up with WIN development Managing Partner Jesse McInerney for an exclusive interview.
Q: With last weeks demolition, it appears you are running about three months behind schedule. Can you make up that time?
McInerney: Hard to say at this point. Our contractor mobilized with erosion control last week so we are officially started. The permitting process has and continues to be a bit of an uphill climb but we are very close. Vertical aspects should be seen by the second quarter of next year and openings of various retailers hopefully by the fall of 2023.
Q: Is it still possible to save the tenant house located in the northwest corner of the property?
McInerney: Yes, the tenant house is being saved and relocated to the southwest corner of the site. This should be done in the next couple of weeks. It will be restored to its historically accurate appearance.
Q: What are the companies handling the residential segments and were there any changes from the initial line up?
McInerney: River Rock Communities is handling the residential aspects which include 145 active adult units and 70 single family homes.There will be three major components: Retail near West Catawba Avenue, the active adult facility north of retail, and the private homes in the rear (northern) segment. The retail elements will be on the forefront of the project timeline, while the active adult construction will likely start shortly after the retail aspects commence. The residential homes in the rear will come later as permits cannot be pulled for those units until the infrastructure—roads, utilities, etc.—are in place.
Q: Can you elaborate on the infrastructure improvements tied into this project?
McInerney: We are extending Eagle Ridge Way through the site which will connect with West Catawba Avenue north of Westmoreland Road. We will also tie together Eagle Ridge with Chagrin through the residential section at the rear of the development. All roads will be tree lined with sidewalks. We will also be installing a multi-purpose path through the site along the Duke Power Easement. This will run north to south and connect to the roundabout at Eagle Ridge. Our approvals with the Town and NCDOT have several interim improvements that will tie into permanent improvements which they have planned for the area. For example, we will be widening Westmoreland Road slightly, from the roundabout at Eagle Ridge Road to our entrance across from Robbins Park. In addition, all our entrances will have inbound turning lanes. The offsite works we are responsible for will be completed by the end of the year.
Q: Has a general contractor been selected?
McInerney: We have hired Hunter Construction of Mooresville directly and River Rock Construction as our construction manager. When we move into the construction phase, a general contractor will be selected.
