Chronicle may soon have a downtown
By Gabriel Bell
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.