On Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, ULI Charlotte hosted a Coffee Talk centered on the Ballantyne Reimagined project and discussed the factors that helped transform the area into the unique destination it is today. Moderator Bridget Grant (Land Use and Development Consultant, Moore & Van Allen) led the discussion with panelists Clifton Coble (SVP, Development, Northwood Office), Rhett Crocker (President/CEO, LandDesign), and Ed Driggs (Charlotte City Councilmember – District 7).

Though the bulk of the physical transformation has taken place over the past few years, Ballantyne Reimagined is a project 30 years in the making. The panelists agreed that a major key to the project’s success was the foresight and long-term thinking that happened early in the project’s planning phases. The vision of a “10-minute walkable neighborhood” guided decisions early on and the team prioritized foundational elements to make it happen.

Unlike many other projects, initial investment was focused on non-revenue-producing aspects such as infrastructure and transportation. Most notably, this included building two major thoroughfares and more than 21 road improvements to ensure ease of access within the community, without relying on the major state roads.

Driggs noted that while these investments were not revenue-producing, they were certainly revenue-inducing. Crocker emphasized the importance of creating a sense of place for the area, especially given the transformation from a typical office park. The goal was to tap into the growing desire for an urban-meets-suburban environment – one that features the amenities, public spaces, walkability and ease of access but in a livelier setting than the stereotypical suburb. And so, creation of Stream Park and The Bowl were first on the list to set the tone and paint the picture of what this mixed-use space would become.

Despite changing market conditions and setbacks related to COVID, the team highlighted the commitment to a forward-thinking vision as a key factor to success. This allowed for better collaboration with city decision-makers and clearer communication with the community on the value Ballantyne Reimagined represented. Coble remarked how this vision and foresight was already laying the groundwork for conversations around light rail extensions and other elements in future phases of the project.

While the panelists all agreed that Ballantyne Reimagined has been a unique opportunity with circumstances not likely to be replicated, the takeaway for other projects is a future-facing, big-picture goal that key stakeholders can work toward.

Notes provided by Joslyn Dunn, Senior Account Manager at Yellow Duck Marketing