Developers Starting to Favor Traditional Neighborhoods Over Apartment Buildings

GASTONIA-Hudson Boulevard here is experiencing a growing development trend that is moving developers away from apartment complexes in favor of traditional neighborhood developments.

John Bridgeman, with Allen Tate Realtors, says these developments are an overflow from Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Bridgeman notes these new neighborhoods are only 20 minutes from Charlotte’s SouthPark area.

New companies adding people and cheaper rents than in Charlotte are two of the factors driving development along Hudson Boulevard. Also, many new connecting roads are being built, opening up land that used to be inaccessible to developers. Bridgeman says these roads are about 20 years overdue.

Allen Medlin, a long-range planner for the city of Gastonia, notes traditional neighborhood developments were part of America from 1900 to 1930. TNDs have back alleys and their own parks. Schools and places of employment are within walking distance.

According to Medlin, Gastonia wants the high-density projects along the major thoroughfares. He also points out there’s plenty of large parcels of land for office space.

TNDs have been showing up in Charlotte and suburban Davidson, NC. DPR Associates of Charlotte has submitted plans for a project in the Gastonia area. The firm is also building TNDs in Cornelius, NC and Huntersville, NC.