Huntersville divided over proposed ‘Station South’ project along Red Line tracks
The proposed Station South development sparked concerns about infrastructure, as longtime residents say the already crowded area can’t handle any further growth.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — As plans for the long-awaited Red Line commuter rail continue, a major development proposal in Huntersville is stirring both excitement and concern.
The project, called Station South, would bring hundreds of residential units and commercial space to a currently vacant area along Old Statesville Road. Peak Development is proposing two versions of Station South — one that includes a train station and parking deck if the Red Line is approved, and another without those features if the commuter rail does not move forward.
Under the first plan, Station South would include:
- 348 residential units (278 apartments, 64 townhomes, and 6 mixed-use townhomes)
- Two commercial buildings
- A train station and parking garage
If the Red Line is not approved, the developer plans to replace the train station and parking deck with additional retail space.
“As Huntersville continues to push east down Sam Furr, we want to make sure that we’re providing, you know, things to do, places to eat,” Michael Cox, a partner at Peak Development, said.
While some see Station South as a step forward for the town, others worry about the impact on infrastructure.
“We have just seen just tremendous growth, and the infrastructure cannot support any more new development,” longtime Huntersville resident Annamarie Klemm said.
Traffic and school overcrowding are top concerns for many, including Tim Sullivan.
“I think the biggest thing that we see is the pressure it puts on the school systems,” he said. “I understand they want to increase tax revenue and all those wonderful things that the cities need, but I work in health care, so I think the biggest thing I see is the strain it puts on our health care workers — from ambulance services to fire services — that we sometimes take for granted, I just look at it like I see ambulances getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.”
Peak Development says it has completed a traffic study and plans several improvements, including:
- A new rail crossing
- Widening a section of Old Statesville Road
- A new road, Seagull Street, designed to relieve congestion on Sam Furr Road
The Huntersville Planning Board is set to review the Station South proposal on March 25, before going back to the town in April.
Contact Walker Lawson at wlawson@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.