Junker project on W. Catawba under way
Junker site on W. Catawba
Feb. 7. By Dave Vieser. Clearing has begun on what’s known as the Junker project—a multi-family development on West Catawba Avenue whose approval shook local politics back in 2021.
The site currently includes the familiar White House Gardens on the west side of West Catawba. The operation is expected to close later this spring.
Coming soon are 195 residential units.
The White House Gardens operation, a fixture on West Catawba for 30 years, is moving to Denver.
Background
The project was originally proposed by developer Jake Palillo. Shortly after the rezoning was approved in September 2021, the project was taken over by Jamie Rolewicz/West Catawba Properties, which is comprised of Legacy Pointe Properties, LLC, as well as New Castle Development Group (an apartment developer from Charlottesville, Va.) Rolewicz is well-known for the Hyde Park commercial development on Bailey Road and the Watermark luxury condominiums to the east on West Catawba.
Election issue
The original project was approved in June 2021, but not before some residents voiced their opposition to the project. The final vote on the project was 4-1, with only Commissioner Denis Bilodeau opposed.
Three commissioners who voted for the project—Tricia Sisson, Thurman Ross and Michael Miltich—lost their re-election bids five months later in November 2021. Bilodeau won in 2021, but very narrowly lost his bid for mayor last year.
Meanwhile, the Junker project is expected to get a new name. Stay tuned.
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That’s all we need. More traffic!
Congratulations. Cornelius has lost its charm with all of the over building going on.
There will be no tree canopy left.
We have become just another gross and ugly extension of Charlotte.
I agree the Junker project is exactly what people dont want, more development without a shred of supporting infrastructure done to support it. Too bad Bilodeau wasnt elected. Every patch of trees in cornelius us being bulldozed. Maybe we need more banks?
Not to worry. There are much fewer trees and green spaces / lots left to develop. Total gridlock will occur soon. Shop locally? Ridiculous idea as it is less time consuming to go elsewhere.
new project name – “adds more cars to catawba project”
Is it possible to have the Developers responsible for putting in the underground utilities in front of these new West Catawba properties and the town do the rest?. Due to the overhead utilities the trees have been pruned in a way that is a blight to the area. You can do better Cornelius Town Commissioners!
Where’s the 4 lane highway?
Developers control town governments.
So very sad! All of these developments are changing the beauty of Cornelius forever. I bought in Cornelius for the smaller town atmosphere and all the trees and green space that is now being paved and built over. So many trees cut down and so unnecessary. Bigger is not better and more development is not needed.
Can’t wait for the new name!
Multi Family properties need to END in Cornelius. There are way too many as it is. Let’s build a gorgeous single home neighborhood like Birkdale not these trash communities