Michelle Zuñiga discusses Eastland Mall redevelopment
Michelle Zuñiga, assistant professor of urban and community planning, was quoted in WFAE’s article ‘East Charlotte stakeholders look to Eastland Mall redevelopment with optimism.’
The Eastland Yards development on the 80 acres where Eastland Mall once stood is underway, and will include more than 400 apartments and townhomes, a park and sports complex, and grocery and retail stores.
Local residents and business owners hope that the new developments will be an anchor to what is now the city’s most diverse community, but worry about being priced out of the area.
“There is concern about increasing rent in the area,” Zuñiga said. “A lot of low-income communities, the immigrant Latinx community in particular, have felt pushed out of their communities, going to more affordable places such as Gastonia or Mint Hill.”