STEELE CREEK NEWS

Schools, Community Initiatives, and Development Highlighted at Annual Association Meeting

(February 29,  2004) Many Steele Creek residents had their first opportunity to see the new Southwest Middle School from the inside when the Steele Creek Residents Association held its 2004 annual meeting there on February 25. (See photographs below.)

Coach Joe White, Chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, was the featured speaker. Coach White was the first faculty member hired at Olympic High School in 1966. He noted a recent turnaround in the schools in the area as students who had been pulled away by magnet schools elsewhere have been returning.

Coach White addressed the major concern of those in attendance, which is growth and the resulting need for building new schools or expanding existing ones. The need clearly exists, but the problem is figuring out where the money will come from. Although the school system's long range plans call for building several new schools in Steele Creek over the next 10 years, none currently are in the works. Coach White offered no promises to Steele Creek or any other area. He said that he will support new schools where they will best benefit the students of Mecklenburg County. He said that CMS staff are responsible for planning new schools to accommodate growth. He will allow the process work and get involved when it's time for the School Board to get involved.

Linda Blackwelder of the Steele Creek Library Association, said that education starts with a book. Young children have books read to them and later learn to read on their own. They find books at the library, where they also can enjoy storytimes and puppet shows. She said she was excited about the new library under construction in front of the Southwest Middle School and encouraged everyone to support the Library Association's fund drive. Crescent Properties recently donated $5,000 and other developers and businesses have made pledges. Library Association President Doug Youngblood said the Steele Creek Library is the only one in Mecklenburg County with a booster club. He encouraged everyone to "do right by our kids. This effects everybody who lives in the community." The Association has received donations and pledges totaling $46,000 toward its $100,000 goal.

The 17,000 square foot Steele Creek Family YMCA (select "Steele Creek" under Branches on the YMCA home page) opened on January 5 at a renovated building in Ayrsley and also operates day camps and afterschool programs at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church. Mike Ferguson invited everyone to come and tour of the new facility and see how their programs promote fitness and health. He asked the community for input on what activities it would like to see. The YMCA is looking for a site for a future full-service facility in Steele Creek that eventually will replace the new express YMCA.

Lynne Ingersoll (CommunityTrail@steelecreekresidents.org) also encouraged folks to stay active. She is part of a group promoting a Community Trail system in Steele Creek. The group envisions a system that will connect neighborhoods, parks, shopping, and employment centers. The development of trail system will take years, but the community must become proactive now and have plans in place before development makes potential trail routes unavailable. She said the Community Trail System will be a legacy for our children.

Alan Harrington of Crescent Properties gave an update on the Sanctuary (formerly Island Pointe) development, which will feature 184 estate lots. He said they have had discussions with the trail group about locating a trail along Shopton Road West. They also have sold a 20 acre tract to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for an elementary school site, and another tract on Lake Wylie will be used to station an EMT boat to service the lake. He said that a tract east of Shopton Road West originally slated for a golf course and golf villas likely now will be developed as a residential area only. This section will be developed at one unit per acre. He said that Crescent continues to work with the Audubon Society as they refine their plans and are conscious of the asset they have.

Charles Teal and Scott Hebrebrand reviewed plans for the Berewick development that Pappas Properties is developing off Steele Creek Road near I-485. They expect construction to begin on the roads through the development this summer. The first phases will be in the single-family neighborhoods on the south side of the property. They expect a grocery and other businesses to begin opening at the Berewick commercial center in 2006. Mecklenburg County owns a 215-acre tract on the north side of the project. It is the planned location of a district park, but part of the site might be used for an elementary school.

The new development most visible in Steele Creek right now is Ayrsley, This mixed-use urban village on S Tryon Street at I-485 already is home to over a half dozen new restaurants and other businesses, as well as the Steele Creek YMCA. Gene Bodycott told the audience to expect a new "high-end tablecloth restaurant" soon.

Officer Sonja Earnest, one of the Community Coordinators in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Steele Creek Division, introduced Captain Diego Anselmo, who was named to head the Division in January. Steele Creek Division is located in the old Police and Fire Academy Building at 1750 Shopton Road. (See Story.)

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Norman Mitchell represents District 2, which encompasses all of Steele Creek. He described Steele Creek as the new frontier of Mecklenburg County. He also gave a warning about the county's current budget situation and said that "cuts will effect you."

Steele Creek Residents Association President Karl Froelich listens as Coach Joe White answers questions about schools in Steele Creek (February 25, 2004)

A standing room only crowd in the Southwest Middle School Dining Hall listens to Alan Harrington's presentation on The Sanctuary (February 25, 2004)

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