Feb. 13, 2024 – Charlotte Douglas International Airport is looking for development partners to help transform 90 acres of land into a bustling area with retail, restaurants and hotels.
“This milestone project is a decade in the making,” said CLT Commercial & Community Engagement Director Stuart Hair. “We are excited to redefine the Airport’s front door.”
The Airport has been acquiring land around Wilkinson Boulevard and North Josh Birmingham Parkway for years with the intention of infusing more economic activity to the city’s west side.
Now through Feb. 22, CLT is accepting proposals for the Destination District. Potential developers are tasked with answering this question: what does it mean to land at the seventh busiest airport in the world?
“It’s like adding rocking chairs to your front porch. CLT is extending its service to the Charlotte community beyond traveling to connect people with the services and amenities they need,” Hair said.
The Destination District is made up of two distinct areas – Destination District Central and the Destination District East.
Destination District Central
This 39-acre site at the intersection of North Josh Birmingham Parkway and Wilkinson Boulevard has been rezoned as a Regional Activity Center.
Approximately 95,000 vehicles drive by that area every day. Analysts found an undersupply of retail, restaurants and hotels.
Planners have identified the following businesses as potential fits for Destination District Central:
- Upper midscale hotel
- Upscale hotel and conference center
- Full-service restaurants
- Quick-service restaurants
- Craft breweries
- Retail banking centers
- Medical offices
- Fitness centers
- Shipping and business services
This is not a finite list of the businesses that could work. Any commercial developer with great ideas is encouraged to apply, according to Hair. The Airport welcomes all plans that meet customer needs in the market and are capable of being financed.
Destination District East
This 51-acre site is at the intersection of Stafford Drive and Wilkinson Boulevard, and is zoned for manufacturing, logistics, distribution and other warehouse and office uses.
The East area offers some of the only contiguous large land parcels near interstates, the Norfolk Southern Railroad Intermodal Yard and CLT. Interstate 85 and Interstate 485 each see approximately 120,000 vehicles per day.
Development Goals
The Destination District satisfies several CLT goals and FAA directives.
- Revenue generation: The FAA mandates that airports be self-sustainable. When COVID-19 led to fewer flights, lower passenger numbers and decreased revenue in 2020, non-aeronautical revenue became more important than ever to airports nationwide. Non-aeronautical revenue is generated from commercial enterprises such as concessions, duty free, parking, advertising, car rental facilities and real estate income. The latter of which CLT sees as a tremendous opportunity for growth.
- Land activation: One of the core tenants of CLT’s commercial development strategy is to activate land the Airport owns. That also follows the FAA directive to put non-aeronautical land into productive use in a manner compatible with an airport environment.
- Placemaking: CLT acknowledges that its current roadway entrance is understated and seeks to define the initial Airport experience for local passengers.
Down the Road
The Destination District aligns with the City of Charlotte’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and it accommodates the Charlotte Area Transit System’s future plans for a LYNX Silver Line light rail station.
Development proposals will be accepted until Feb. 22. Notification of selected proposals is scheduled April 2.
The first businesses could open within a couple of years. The development would be done in phases over the next five to 10+ years.
Learn more about the CLT Destination District on the Airport website.