Plans for a new restaurant and apartments in a historic brick bottling plant. Loft-style apartments in an iconic Gastonia mill building. A taproom and nano-brewery across the street from the ballpark with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The renovations and revitalizations are aimed at complementing the ballpark to bring more people and more activity to the Franklin Sports + Entertainment District.
It was four years ago that the Gastonia City Council voted to purchase three parcels of land that now comprise the majority of the FUSE District. On Oct. 4, 2016, the City bought the old Trenton Mill property, the former Coca-Cola plant, and the 6-acre Sears building and parking lot west of Downtown. A few months later, the City bought the Budget Inn. Sears and the motel were torn down, and that land is where the ballpark is now being built.
The City planned to sell the additional parcels, which border the ballpark, to private developers who would invest millions of dollars to turn those lots and buildings into a trendy spot to eat, shop, relax and live. Four years later, that’s exactly what’s taking shape.
Coca-Cola bottling plant
The stately brick Coca-Cola building at the corner of Franklin Boulevard and Trenton Street dates back to the 1930s. But the original building is easy to overlook. Numerous expansions, first made from brick, then stark white metal, dwarf the landmark building at the corner. In recent years, the Coca-Cola plant was home to a metal fabrication business.
Two weeks ago, the City Council approved selling the Franklin-facing segment of the Coca-Cola building to the Lenox Development Group. The company plans a $5 million investment to create a mixed-use development. Their vision is to preserve the original brick structure while renovating the interior to possibly include a restaurant, apartments in the upper floors with rooftop terraces overlooking the ballpark, and a speakeasy in the basement. In Phase 2, the company might convert the metal section into what’s described as “car condominiums” – a great place for car lovers to store, display and talk shop about vehicles.
The City earlier divided the sprawling Coca-Cola property into three development pads. On the north side, at 126. S. Trenton St., Durty Bull Brewing Co. plans to open a taproom early next year. The Durham-based brewery will feature 5,000 square feet indoors and another 5,000 square feet outdoors. The taproom will be linked to the proposed mixed-use development with a pedestrian walkway, and the two developments will share a parking lot.
Trenton Mill Lofts
It’s Gastonia’s oldest textile mill building that is still standing – and will soon be turned into 89 loft-style apartments in the FUSE District. Trenton Mill was purchased by the Lansing Melbourne Group, which is converting the historic brick building into residences. Lansing Melbourne’s total investment in the project is $24.3 million. At the Oct. 30 groundbreaking ceremony, Peter Flotz of Lansing Melbourne promised to "protect and enhance" the 127-year old brick building. Frank White, president of Kaufman Lynn Construction, said it is exciting to work on a building "that has witnessed the history of this community." The cotton mill at 612 W. Main Ave. operated without interruption for 80 years, from 1893 to 1972. It is named for the 1776 Battle of Trenton (New Jersey) during the Revolutionary War, in which General George Washington won a pivotal victory. Residents are expected to move into the apartments at Trenton Mill by the end of 2021.
Center City Crossing
A six-story, 90-unit apartment building will be built in the 100 block of West Main Avenue. The City Council voted last month to approve the sale of the property and Kuester Development has begun work at the site, with the company’s total investment estimated at $21.5 million. Center City Crossing will feature 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2022. It is being built where the previous Center Theater had to be condemned and removed for safety. For the past 10 years, the site was a temporary park.
Project NORTH POINT
The City of Gastonia and Gaston County are offering grant money and financial incentives to develop more than 350 acres north of I-85 at Cox Road. The site, in the cities of Gastonia and Lowell, is to be developed into warehouse, distribution and office facilities. The project is in its early stages and is expected to provide thousands of new jobs and expand the local tax base. The Gastonia City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 6 to offer an economic development grant for the project through the federal Opportunity Zone program, matching a grant incentive offered by Gaston County.