Latest news with #OnePlanetLivingLeaders
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A look at the progress made on River District development
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A west Charlotte development is one of only three in the country to receive a special sustainability designation. Queen City News is getting a look at what's already underway and what's to come for the River District. 'It truly integrates the opportunities for employment, for living, hospitality, restaurants and diversity of product,' said Rainer Ficken, senior managing director with Crescent Communities. Work is happening every day, and slowly but surely, the 1,200-acre piece of land is starting to look like a community. 'It's exciting because things are actually going vertical, coming out of the ground very tangible,' said Ficken. 'People can see what's going on and start to catch the vision.' Ficken is with the development company behind the project to turn the largest piece of undeveloped land along the Catawba River into the River District. He drove our crews around the property Wednesday, showing where his team plans to add retail and office space, potential schools and restaurants, all while maintaining 500-plus acres of green space for trails and parks. 'We want to do what's right for the planet,' he said. It's part of why the River District is the first on the East Coast to receive the One Planet Living Leaders designation for the way the project blends development with natural spaces. 'Development doesn't always mean that it's strictly about paving streets and putting up houses,' said Ficken. When it's finished, there will be about 2,000 homes and equally as many apartment units of varying sizes and price points, including 87 affordable units. 'There's something for everybody at the River District,' said Ficken. There's currently one completed model home on the property. Builders are already taking appointments for people to come view the home. The first apartment building could be open to tenants as early as the end of this year. 'Demand right now has been extremely strong, so we're very encouraged by that,' said Ficken. Ficken expects the entire project to be completed in the next eight to ten years. Every detail has been meticulously designed, so the neighborhood feels like a one-stop shop for anything you could need. 'If you were to live in the River District, there will be opportunities to easily walk to your community center, to walk to neighborhood retail within community,' he said. 'To literally walk from your home to where you work.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Axios
01-05-2025
- General
- Axios
The River District earns sustainability designation rarely awarded in the U.S.
The River District — Crescent Communities' 1,400-acre development under construction in west Charlotte — has earned a rare designation for the way it blends urban living with nature. Why it matters: The only other U.S. communities that are "One Planet Living Leaders" are in California and Washington — places that are much better known for their sustainability investments than North Carolina. How it works: One Planet Living is a framework developed by the South London-based sustainability consultancy Bioregional. It recognizes developments that promote healthy lifestyles in harmony with nature, while still preserving space for wildlife and natural ecosystems. Charlotte-based developer Crescent Communities has intentionally worked on The River District with One Planet Living's principles in mind. "It's woven into every decision that we're making," says Crescent Communities' stewardship manager, Erika Ruane. The big picture: The River District master plan will turn Charlotte's largest stretch of undeveloped land, along the Catawba River, into 2,300 single-family homes, 2,350 multi-family units and up to 8 million square feet of commercial space. Yes, but: The long-term plan also preserves over 500 acres of nature, some of which will be greenways, trails and parks, as well as a 2-acre farm and new access to the Catawba River. Bioregional notes that The River District is "pioneering new approaches not previously seen in North Carolina or the southern states of the U.S." The River District also promotes biking and walking, with proximity to a town center, school, and other retail, so residents are less dependent on their cars. Zoom in: Ruane says the planning behind The River District is very intentional, even the small details. For example: Crescent planted Zoysia grass, a more expensive turf but one that is drought-tolerant and dense enough to choke out weeds, reducing the need for extra water and herbicides. Although non-native, the species is regionally appropriate, considering climate change, Ruane says. Boulders discovered during construction were repurposed for a grade break, rather than being hauled to the dump, and a new concrete retaining wall was built. Crescent used wood from some of the area's harvested trees to build 13 birdhouses for the preserved woodlands. A biodiversity study helped Crescent identify which species live at The River District and how their habitats could be supported. Zoom out: The other U.S. communities to receive the One Planet Living Leader are: SOMO Village, north of San Francisco, puts residents within a five-minute walk of the town square, is home to many sustainability-focused companies and has over 16,000 solar panels. Like The River District, it also has a 2-acre farm. Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, describes itself as an "alternative to traditional suburbia," with all-electric homes, only one car parking space per property, shared gardens and an orchard.
