City Receives Site Analysis Findings > City of Kannapolis | City of Kannapolis

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 Kannapolis City Council heard preliminary findings from the site analysis phase of the downtown master planning process on Monday evening. The site analysis, conducted by the Development Finance Initiative (DFI), studied the downtown property owned by the City of Kannapolis to determine the scale of potential development and appropriate mix of uses for revitalizing the downtown district. DFI also presented preliminary plans for an early-stage demonstration project in downtown Kannapolis.

DFI utilized the guiding principles adopted by City Council in September to build out a program of downtown uses, including anchor projects, residential, retail, office, hotel, public and institutional facilities and associated parking. For each site owned by the City, DFI identified uses that would maximize value of the specific site, while also creating a vibrant downtown district. 

 
“The goal of the site analysis is to understand how the City can maximize the potential value of every property in the Downtown Core. We are looking, not just at the quantity of development you can add, but the quality of development that can occur in downtown and how this development can benefit the City from an economic development standpoint and a social standpoint for citizens and visitors,” said Michelle Audette-Bauman, Project Manager with DFI.

The site analysis identified approximately 2.5 million square feet of possible new development opportunities, including: four anchor projects, with sites appropriate for a baseball stadium and performing arts center, two hotels, a location for a landmark office tower, approximately 1,500 new residential units, 300,000 square feet of retail space and three acres of green space. 

The analysis projected the total build out over 10-20 years for the downtown district, including existing downtown buildings and the North Carolina Research Campus, at approximately 5.8 million square feet. The overall mix of uses at full build out would include 40% of the property as residential units; 15% retail; 28% office; 2% hotel rooms; 3% entrepreneurial use of basement space; 12% public and institutional facilities and 20 acres of green space. The site analysis identified the amount of vacant land and properties which are currently underutilized and which could be revitalized.

Using a 3D model, which shows the topography, vacant land and existing properties, Council Members were also presented with information regarding a Demonstration Project. This project could get underway quickly and jumpstart the revitalization of Downtown. The proposed location of the Demonstration Project would be between Main Street and West Avenue. It would include three multistory buildings with street-level retail, upper story apartments/condominiums, structured parking and an educational facility. The project would also involve creating a new street in order to better facilitate traffic flow to the new development. 

After receiving the preliminary plans, Council Members unanimously voted to move forward with the demonstration project, directing DFI to begin financial analysis and secure detailed architectural renderings. Council will receive the proposed development plan for the demonstration project in March. 

The City Council’s goal for the downtown area is to promote its redevelopment through strategic public investments and partnerships with private investors. The City’s long-term vision for the downtown area is a vibrant urban center that connects hubs of economic and cultural activity. Council has further stated their intent to leverage private investment in order to return the downtown properties to private ownership, encourage employment opportunities and increase property tax growth.