The Villages Part 1

The cashier at the local gas stations asked me about it. My neighbors ask me about it. Other real estate agents ask me about it. It seems everyone is talking about “The Villages”. As a Cornelius Planning Board member, they are most interested in my opinion of this massive project, particularly in the increased traffic aspect. The Planning Board will meet twice next week and make a recommendation to the Town Board after months of hearings and public input.
In a nut shell, “The Villages” is being touted as a high-quality, mixed-use development. Huh? For us laymen, it means shopping, restaurants, office space, hotels, parks, new roads, residential living and a new exit off I-77. It’s truly a place to live, work and play. Incidentally, Cornelius has for years used the tagline “Live. Work. Play.” I’ve had several chances to study the plans, and they are quite impressive. The developers have borrowed aspects from other major developments across the country and incorporated them into something that they think will work here.
The most controversial part of the plan is the new exit off I-77. The foes say it will increase traffic through our little town and our little town can’t handle it. I say, no way. Why on earth would someone coming to shop or work at “The Villages” want to roam around our streets? I believe people will get off I-77, take care of business at “The Villages” and then get right back on I-77 and go home. But, just to be on the safe side, the developers have proposed widening Hwy. 21 (Statesville Road for you locals) and are working with Huntersville officials to ensure a smooth transaction between the two towns.
So, here’s my opinion. I think this project is a fantastic, important, vital endeavor that will serve the town of Cornelius well. Having said that, there is still a lot of work to be done over the next week to make sure all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed. There is no development even remotely close to the size of this one for us to go see. I’m going on faith and assurances from the developer that the work will be done and we won’t be left hanging with a half-way developed piece of land. For more information go to www.CorneliusBromont.com.