Crosland Southeast LLC is planning to build a ninety-one acre mixed-use development at the intersection of NC-150 and the NC-16 bypass.
The BridgeWater development will boast a variety of retail, commercial, and industrial establishments in a pedestrian-friendly complex similar to a downtown.
According to the development guidelines, “The design intent for BridgeWater is to create an attractive work-shop-play destination incorporating retail, dining and entertainment as well as an employment center.”
The development will feature over 700,000 square feet of leasable space for large and small retail spaces, restaurants, offices, warehouses, and medical services. The guidelines do not include space for residential units.
The primary retail portion of the development, named the village district, will boast a “village green:” a small, central, park-like area surrounded by shops and restaurants. It is intended to serve as a hub for entertainment and “seasonal activities.”
“The village district of BridgeWater will have a traditional American ‘main-street’ feel that will incorporate a rich variety of materials and elements intended to create an inviting pedestrian scale,” per the development guidelines.
An existing pond and the north fork of Killian Creek will be repurposed to serve as water features for the development. Several other small ponds will be dredged and outdoor dining areas will be constructed around these features.
The development will also feature nature trails that will connect to the sidewalk system and loop around two of the ponds. There will be numerous other natural and artificial landscaping features such as manicured trees, fountains, pedestrian bridges, and gazebos.
The buildings, landscaping, and trails will be laid out to create a natural common area, “encouraging community events such as concerts, markets, and festivals.”
BridgeWater, which sits on the line between Catawba and Lincoln counties, has been in the works since at least 2008. The property was purchased and the approvals were given by both counties that same year. It has faced numerous setbacks since then, including the Great Recession, changes to Lincoln County land-use laws, resistance from planning boards, and locals who have expressed concern about traffic and other issues.
In the past, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has expressed the concern that BridgeWater will not easily be able to find anchor tenants. It is unclear whether this is related to the project’s continued delays.
The development was originally slated to begin construction in 2014, capitalizing on the expansion of the NC-16 bypass. The existing guidelines for BridgeWater were drawn in 2010, and if the project is brought to fruition, they will likely be revised. Currently, the project is slated to begin construction in 2029, according to the latest update to the project’s LoopNet entry in June.
Crosland Southeast LLC is the company behind the creation of Birkdale Village in Huntersville, Biltmore Park Town Square in Asheville, and dozens of other development projects across the southeastern states.
If you are interested in leasing future commercial space at BridgeWater, call Crosland at (704) 621-6430.
I’m very familiar with the property where Bridgewater is proposed to be developed. The land was owned by the Killian family, first by John Killian, who ran a store there at the intersection of what is now 16 and 150. I live on just the other side of the four Lane Hwy. 16 on Highway 150.. I can remember when all of that was open farmland and pasture with a beautiful little pond that John Killian had on the property. John and my grandmother were first cousins. She was very close to JOHNS two sons Carl and Seth.
I know people are all for progress, but it says me to see that land being developed in such a manner . Furthermore, going back in history no one ever referred to that area as chronicle. Chronicle was specifically the little area near Lebanon Church Road and Mountain View Baptist Church Rd.. and a map of Catawba county from 1886 it was listed as chronicle where there was a post office and the Dellinger family had a tavern. That post office was disbanded in 1904 and the mail was then delivered from Maiden.
None of the older people in my family ever referred to Killian‘s crossroads as Chronicle. The only other name I heard used was Punchville was referred to the punch family that lived at the intersection of what is now Highway 150 and E. Maiden Rd.