Downtown Kannapolis Revitalization Updates
The City of Kannapolis is in the midst of investing $113 million on its Downtown Revitalization Project. The city kicked off the project in 2015 as they purchased the entire downtown district – approximately 50 acres and eight blocks of buildings – from its one property owner. The massive project includes infrastructure improvements, the construction of a linear park and streetscape, a Sports and Entertainment Venue (the new home of the city’s Minor League Baseball team), VIDA Mixed Use District, and a parking deck.
May 2020 – Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Update
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers celebrated the grand openings of their team store, Cannon City Supply Co., and concession stand, Boomer’s Bistro, at Atrium Health Ballpark earlier this month.
Baseball fans can come by Cannon City Supply Co. to purchase Cannon Ballers gear Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 7:00pm, and on Saturdays from 10:00am – 3:00pm. While you’re there, stop by Boomer’s Bistro, which is located on the 3rd Base Concourse inside of Atrium Health Ballpark. Boomer’s Bistro is offering take-out every day from 12:00 – 7:00pm.
New Restaurants Announced for VIDA
Construction on VIDA is now at the halfway mark – windows are going in and installation of brick is beginning. Framing for doors, elevators, and stairwells are also underway. Located between Main Street and West Avenue, the private public mixed-use district will include apartments, restaurants, and retail space in downtown Kannapolis and is on target to open in winter 2020/2021.
Kent Gregory, VIDA co-developer with Peter Flotz, commented on the project by saying, “In addition to the expansion of the Old Armor Beer Company, we will be announcing plans this summer to bring entertainment options to the lower level of the old buildings on West Avenue.”
Gregory also announced that R&R Bar-B-Que will open a new location in the old Cabarrus Bank building and Sabor Latin Street Grill will open its newest location in Kannapolis.
Additionally, VIDA is one of the first opportunity zone projects in the United States. The Federal Opportunity Zone designation provides tax benefits to private investors who invest in properties which need to be revitalized.
Read the full announcement from the City of Kannapolis here.
November 2019 – New Eatery & Townhouse Project
Image Credit: City of Kannapolis
Two projects – worth a combined $33 million – got the go-ahead to bring townhouses and additional development to the revitalized downtown Kannapolis.
The townhouse project includes 128 units located on 9 acres at the former Cannon Mills Plant 4 site on South Main Street in downtown Kannapolis. Expected to be completed in 2021, the townhouses will be built by TriPointe Homes and will sell for $200,000-$250,000.
On November 25, the Kannapolis City Council unanimously approved a redevelopment proposal and the sale of the Downtown Phase One Block One properties to the Lansing Melbourne Group (LMG). The new owners announced their first tenant for the properties, the Hollywood Burger Restaurant, which will be located in the former Restaurant 46 space. Phase One of Block One will be purchased for $450,000 and LMG will invest an additional $2.6 million to renovate the commercial spaces.
According to the City of Kannapolis, Phase One of Block One includes eleven buildings in the heart of downtown on West Avenue. The buildings are located around the corner from the Gem Theatre, across from the entrance to the Sports and Entertainment Venue, and two blocks north of the VIDA Mixed Use District. By partnering with a developer experienced in adaptive reuse, the City’s goal is to preserve these buildings and activate them as part of the downtown business district.
LMG is also the developer of VIDA, the mixed-use district currently under construction on West Avenue. Kent Gregory, Partner of LMG, announced that they are expecting a steak restaurant and a bicycle shop to open in the Old Cabarrus Bank Building Block. VIDA is expected to open in December of 2020.
Click here to read the full press release from the City of Kannapolis.
October 2019 – Streetscape Opening
On October 10, Downtown Kannapolis celebrated the grand re-opening of West Avenue and the opening of the new linear park and streetscape.
“West Avenue has been transformed into a beautiful tree lined street, which will accommodate live music, open air dining, walking, running, a putt-putt lawn, and other greenspaces perfect for reading, classes for exercise or other special events. The new streetscape also has fountains, public restrooms, swings, public art and murals” (kannapolisnc.gov).
Other Project Updates:
- Oak Avenue and Vance Street have received a facelift with new sidewalks, trees, landscaping, paving and more
- New infrastructure has been engineered to accommodate the new businesses, Sports and Entertainment Venue, restaurants and offices that are coming to downtown Kannapolis
- Old Armor Beer Company, the city’s first brewery, will open on West Avenue this fall. The veteran-owned and operated business will offer a variety of specialty brewed beers
- The Sports and Entertainment Venue is set to open in April 2020 and will be the home of the area’s Minor League Baseball team
- VIDA, the mixed use district between S. Main Street and West Avenue, is underway
Click here to read the original update by the City of Kannapolis.
Image credit: City of Kannapolis
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September 2019 – Updates
Work continues in Kannapolis on the Downtown Revitalization Project – the streetscape/linear park, construction on the Sports & Entertainment Venue and VIDA, the parking deck and apartments.
Work is happening on Vance Avenue, Oak Avenue, West Avenue, West B Street and West A Street. The unique streetscape will serve as an urban linear park with many green spaces for activities such as concerts, arts, recreation activities, outdoor dining and more. The infrastructure project includes replacing aging and undersized utilities such as water, sewer, storm water and electricity. Street closures continue in the downtown – please follow the detour signs. The streetscape and linear park will open Fall 2019.
The Sports & Entertainment Venue will be home to the Kannapolis Intimidators Minor League Baseball Team and accommodate other events such as concerts. The venue will have conference and meeting space, a playground and more. The SEV will open in April 2020.
VIDA – the Mixed Use District of apartments, a parking deck, a brewery, office and restaurant space is now under construction and will be finished in 2021.
The Gem Theatre is open for business. The Old Armor Beer Company is working on interior renovations to their location on West Avenue and expects to open this Fall.
August 2019 – Updates
A New Streetscape, Sports & Entertainment Venue and Mixed Use District
Infrastructure improvements and the construction of the city’s new streetscape are expected to be completed this Fall. The streetscape will serve as an urban linear park with green spaces for activities, such as concerts, arts, recreation activities, outdoor dining and more. We can also expect to see the opening of the Armory Beer Company this Fall in the former Rotary Building.
Construction on the Sports and Entertainment Venue is underway. The City of Kannapolis and Temerity Capital Partners, the owner of the city’s Minor League Baseball team, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Sports and Entertainment Venue in October 2018. The venue will be home to the baseball team and will also accommodate other events, such as concerts and conferences. The brand new venue is expected to open to the public in Spring 2020.
VIDA – the Mixed Use District of apartments, a parking deck, brewery, office and restaurant space – is expected to be finished by 2021. VIDA is one of the first Opportunity Zone projects in the United States. Downtown Kannapolis was designated as a federal Opportunity Zone last year after Kannapolis City Council voted to apply for the process. This designation provides tax benefits to private investors who invest in properties and areas which need to be revitalized. In March 2019, the City of Kannapolis and Lansing Melbourne Group broke ground on the VIDA Mixed Use District. Site work for the parking deck is now underway.
For more information and updates about the Downtown Kannapolis Revitalization Project, visit: www.kannapolisnc.gov/revitalization
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