Plans coming into focus for 1,400-acre River District that will become ‘one-stop shop’ with a taste of nature

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Tucked away between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the Catawba River is a development that’s been years in the making.

“The community out here was really utility-starved so there was no water, wastewater, any of those utilities; even electric, for that matter,” said Rainer Ficken, Senior Managing Director at Crescent Communities.

Crescent Communities is developing a one-stop shop community in western Mecklenburg County that combines housing with office, retail, and a taste of nature. It’s called The River District.

The master-planned community off Dixie River Road will span about 1,400 acres.

Some of the River District highlights include a 2-acre sustainable urban farm, which will have a store in the amenity center. The area that will be called “Westrow” will act as a miniature downtown with shops and walking and biking paths. There will be a public park that borders the Catawba River. One of the most unique aspects of the development, however, is its commitment to the environment.

“This is very uncommon and very exciting,” said Will Ruark with Catawba Lands Conservancy. “This is a first for me and a first for a lot of my peers in environmental organizations. We are not used to a developer reach out and invite environmental organizations.”

Crescent Communities has reserved 500 acres of greenspace, and partnered with conservationists to conduct a herpetology study on species that call this place home. They observed 240 different animal species and around 220 plant species on the property.

“An example of a species of greatest conservation need is something that we love, an eastern box turtle,” Ruark said, “so an eastern box turtle, a turtle that we see in our backyards, at the park is actually having a population decrease right now.”

The goal is to balance the need for housing in Charlotte all while preserving what’s still here.

Ficken says four builders are being used: DRB, David Weekley Homes, Saussy Burbank  and Toll Brothers.

Crescent leaders have also had conversations with international companies considering relocating their corporate headquarters on site. They also have 50 acres reserved for what they’re hoping will be an elementary and middle school.

“In the morning you could be on your kayak, and then in the afternoon you could be on a flight because of the proximity,” said Lisa Phocas, Crescent Communities’ director of stewardship. “It’s really just a great opportunity to live in proximity to everything you love and everything that’s important.”

Notably missing from the River District plans is the tennis mega-complex. After the city and county approved public funding, organizers of the Western and Southern Open announced in October that the event was staying in Cincinnati , thereby killing that aspect of the development.

Builders are expected to acquire the lots in December, with the model homes beginning construction in January. Crescent Communities is starting work on the first apartment complex in about two weeks.

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