03/12/2026
In 1975, Eastland Mall opened as the largest mall in North Carolina—an ice rink, the first East Coast in-mall food court, a gathering place for families. For East Charlotte, it was more than a mall—it was where the community showed up.
By 2010, it closed. By 2013, it was demolished. For over a decade, 80 empty acres stood as a daily reminder of what was lost.
That sets the stage for last Friday.
On March 6, 2026, the final 30 acres broke ground. Now, six multi-sport fields, a 100,000-square-foot indoor sports facility, a $41.2 million public investment (in a $67 million project), 500 jobs, and an estimated $170 million in annual economic impact will transform the corridor.
In 2023, two visions—Option A and Option B—left the city at a standstill. I asked the council to defer and seek unity—ensuring East Charlotte’s vision wouldn’t be divided. That motion led to what broke ground: fields and facilities from a united plan.
At that time, I represented District 5, attending every milestone—from the official groundbreaking of Eastland Yards to Evoke Living to Eastland Park, and now this!
Civic leadership is rarely about the final ceremony—it’s the years between vision and groundbreaking. East Charlotte waited over a decade. Now, the next chapter rises. ☀️