Augustalee Plans Approved By TCC For Review By MUMPO
 The Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC), the technical review arm of MUMPO, has recommended the Augustalee-related transportation improvement plans for review by the MUMPO board on Wednesday evening, March 17. MUMPO is the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates all transportation system changes in the two counties.
“We have received very positive support for our project - which includes improvements to I-77, a new Exit 27 and many other transportation improvements - at both federal and state levels,” said Josh Rector, Senior Vice President of Augustalee developer Cornelius Bromont, LLC. “Now all eyes are on MUMPO to approve the project at the local level so we can move forward.” Plan details can be seen on the Augustalee website at this location.
New Retail Web Page Includes Interactive Leasing Map
 A state-of-the-art interactive leasing map for the retail section of Augustalee, which includes more than 120 potential store and restaurant locations, has been added to the project website, www.Augustalee.com/retail.html. When you go to the page, you can rollover any section of the map and a pop-up window will show an image of what the location will look like, plus other details like square footage and unique features of that particular spot. On the right side of the page, a directory allows searching for any location by name, and when that item is selected, the location flashes on the map and the pop-up window gives details. As various stores, restaurants and other businesses sign leases for Augustalee, additional details will be provided through this system. Meanwhile it allows a realistic understanding of what will be built and how it all fits together.
John Hardy Group To Aid In Hospitality Recruitment
 John Hardy Group of Atlanta, one of the nation’s leading hotel developers, is now partnering with Cornelius Bromont to bring a top-tier hotel group to the project. Augustalee will include both a 250-room, full-service “grand hotel” and conference center, and a 100-room boutique hotel.
“We are delighted to have John Hardy Group join our team,” said Senior VP Josh Rector. “Since 1992 they have managed nearly 700 projects worth more than $5 billion, including partnering with many of the world’s top developers and hospitality brands. They will help us make the hospitality portions of Augustalee the best that they can be. Coincidentally, John Hardy is the brother in law of Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte, who is one of the strongest supporters of our project.”
You’re Invited To Public Meetings About The Latest Augustalee Transportation Improvement Details
 The plans to widen I-77 and make many other transportation improvements in North Mecklenburg County will be presented for public review and comment 4-7 p.m. April 1 at Cornelius Town Hall.
A transportation enhancement project is being designed which will support the planned Augustalee development and significantly improve transportation in the region. Augustalee will be located on the southwest corner of I-77 and Westmoreland Road. The Augustalee project will provide employment opportunities for thousands of people both near term with construction jobs and long term with office, retail, and hospitality industry jobs, multi-family residences for the growing town of Cornelius, and transportation enhancements that will expand multimodal transportation opportunities and more efficient vehicular travel options in the study area – all resulting in transportation and environmental benefits to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg metropolitan region.
The transportation enhancement projects include:
• Widening of I-77 from West Catawba Avenue (Exit 28) to a point south of Gilead Road (Exit 23) where the 6-lane section of I-77 begins
• A new interchange on I-77 at Westmoreland Road
• Widening of Westmoreland Road from West Catawba Avenue to US 21 (Statesville Road)
• Widening of US 21 from Westmoreland Road to north of NC 73 (Sam Furr Road)
• The realignment of Bailey Road at Poole Place Drive
• The construction of a new connector (Jim Cooke Road) from the realigned Bailey Road over I-77 to Northcross Drive extension
• The construction of a new segment of Northcross Drive from Jim Cooke Road to Westmoreland Road. (The map in this newsletter shows the project study area and the proposed transportation enhancements.)
Purposes of the Enhancement Project
The purposes of these transportation enhancement projects are to increase capacity for traffic on the existing road network, to provide new roads to enhance connectivity across I-77 and within Cornelius, and to provide more efficient vehicular travel options for the region. This project will also significantly improve the bicycle and pedestrian access within the Town of Cornelius and adjacent areas. These improvements will benefit everyone in the surrounding community, not just people who live, work and shop in the Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson and Mooresville area. They will reduce gridlock on the Interstate, get people to their destinations with reduced congestion, allow easier access to businesses, and benefit the environment by reducing air pollution.
Preferred Alternative Selected
The transportation improvements will not require the relocation of any residences or businesses. No significant impacts to community resources are anticipated, including schools, hospitals, and churches. There are 21 streams and no wetlands in the study area; impacts to streams will continue to be avoided or minimized through the design process. Potential noise and air quality impacts are currently being studied, and results will be published in the environmental assessment. Although there may be limited disruption to business and residential access during construction, there will be an improvement in overall access after the project is completed.
Planning Process
NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) is a procedural law that provides a process for agencies to make an analytical study of the impacts of alternatives. The planning process provides a framework for striking a balance between the use and preservation of natural and cultural resources. The NEPA process includes the following workshop, to which you are cordially invited:
Citizens’ Informational Workshop
April 1, 2009
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cornelius Town Hall
• Informal walk-in format
• Ask questions of the project team
• Provide your input
We encourage you to visit the website at www.augustalee.com to learn more, and use the online Feedback form to share your thoughts as well.
Market Cycle Expected To Be Positive When Augustalee Opens
Members of the Augustalee team are often asked about how the current economic recession and its impacts on various government bodies will affect the launch of Augustalee. “All indications are that when we open in 2011 the market will be moving upwards again and we will be able to ride the rising tide,” said Senior VP Josh Rector. “We are very fortunate that we began when we did, two years ago, instead of trying to start the whole approval process now. Likewise we feel fortunate that 2009 will be a year of additional approvals and planning – we don’t expect to start construction until 2010. While the recession is definitely having an impact on all government funding groups, again we believe the situation will be more positive in 2010 and thereafter.”
As always, your questions and feedback are welcome at our website,
www.Augustalee.com. Encourage your friends and associates to sign up for future editions of this email newsletter on the “news” page of the website. |
