As the Charlotte Observer and Charlotte Business Journal reported in September of 2023, the commissioners of the City of Cornelius, NC approved rezoning of the five-story multi-family and commercial project at 21300 Catawba Avenue.
The developer for this project is Highline Partners of Charlotte. CEO Mark Miller applied for the rezoning of the project about a year ago and the Board of Commissioners voted on Sep. 18th 4-1 to approve the application.
Construction on Mill’s Market is still over a year away said, Miller. The proposed 238 multi-family unit projects that sits between Catawba and Meridian Street will have a corner restaurant and 12,000 square feet of commercial businesses. The 6 ½ -level parking deck would include roughly 295 spaces for the residential units..
The community would include a public pedestrian plaza/alley called Catawba Court, according to the developer’s plans. Trees would be planted in the plaza, Highline Partners principal Mark Miller told the board.
His project team includes Axiom Architects and the architect and Bolton & Menk as the civil engineer.
November 21st Presentation Recap -with Cornelius’ Town Commissioners
Mark Miller presented his case before the Cornelius Commissioners on November 21st and laid out the vision the Mill’s Market project. We want five to six commercial uses at this project, specifically “authentic” restaurant types. Our team will work on the project plan to ensure it fits well with downtown Cornelius.
Miller expressed willingness to work with the town leader to get the project approved. The proposed site is close to the town’s Cain Center for the Arts. Our plan is “ambitious” in its density and we are focused on making it a special place that helps provide a multifaceted experience in the Arts District.”
Several commissioners praised Miller and his team for being receptive to the suggestions and concerns of the town leaders and residents.
Wayne Herron, Cornelius’ town manager said that Mark Miller’s presentation and public hearing is the first of several public meetings in the town’s approval process. Herron said a staff review is ongoing and a traffic impact analysis for the project is the beginning.
The rezoning request must also go to the town’s planning board prior to another public hearing before the board of commissioners, which would then consider it for approval.
Dates have not been finalized for the request to go before the planning board and for the second public hearing with the board of commissioners, Herron said.
“We are early in the conditional zoning process, but we’re excited for this important project in downtown Cornelius,”.
If the Mill’s Market project is approved, construction is likely to begin in 2024 with targeted completion in 2026. The project is currently in design stage Millers said.
Mill’s Market is not the only mixed-used project that Highline is plotting in Charlotte’s surrounding region. Earlier this month, Gastonia City Council approved agreements with Highline for a mixed-use project named Franklin Yards at 615 W. Franklin Blvd in the city’s FUSE District.
Highline is planning to redevelop the former Central Branch YMCA site into a project with 220-plus apartments along with commercial space.
