Hornets uptown practice facility coming into focus

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — More details, including a rendering, were revealed Monday night of the future Charlotte Hornets practice facility.

At the City Council zoning meeting, Charlotte planning staff said the Performance Enhancement Center along North Caldwell and East Fifth streets will utilize green building standards, have a public art feature and space to advertise events there and at the Spectrum Center across the street.

The structure will take up 2 acres of the 3.2-acre city-owned land currently occupied by a gravel parking lot.

A parking deck is proposed for the site, and Keith MacVean with law firm Moore & Van Allen said the Hornets are planning on making it available for public use after business hours.

“I’m grateful you’re being thoughtful with the site and how it can integrate overall with the Spectrum Center,” Councilwoman Dante Anderson said. “It’s a welcome addition to the community. I appreciate the thought and intentionality behind that.”

Planning staff determined the rezoning petition is consistent with the 2040 Policy Map recommendation for Regional Activity Center. They said the site is “underutilized as a surface parking area in the densest core of the city.”

At a previous meeting, city leaders said they committed to $275 million into upgrades to the Spectrum Center and the practice facility, with $30 million going to the latter. Team owners are set to become primary owners of the PEC and will cover upkeep and maintenance costs.

Hornets owners have the option to build a hotel or other entertainment space on the remaining 1.2 acres.

City Council will vote to approve the rezoning at a later date.

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