Local firm tapped to redevelop Coca-Cola building within Gastonias FUSE District – Gaston Gazette

In October, Gastonia leaders forged a relationship with a group that has begun working to establish a brewery within the burgeoning FUSE District.

That landmark venture is slated to occupy the northernmost portion of the historic Coca-Cola property, in a 5,000-square-foot building along Trenton Street. But the city has now also identified a firm to oversee the redevelopment of the largest section of the building, which sits at 620 W. Franklin Blvd. and fronts U.S. 74 with more than 85,000 square feet.

City Council members on Tuesday approved what is known as a memorandum of understanding with Lenox Development Group. The agreement will serve as a launching pad in the partnership between the city and the Cramerton-based company, establishing the general expectations for repurposing the space as part of the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment District.

Gastonia Economic Development Specialist Cody Gibson said the MOU will help Lenox to secure lending and financing in determining the ultimate design and potential uses of the property.

Theyre looking to renovate a good majority of it, and have some potential new construction as well, he said. This would be a potential mixed-use development throughout.

The city approved a similar agreement two months ago with DMD Investors to develop the brewery. And it has already entered into a more formal deal with Lansing Melbourne Group that will lead to the redevelopment of the historic Trenton Mill nearby.

A neat building

Eric Vargosko, the managing partner of Lenox Development, has been living in this area and redeveloping old buildings in Charlotte since the early 2000s, with a focus on up-and-coming communities such as NoDa and South End. But Charlotte doesnt have a wealth of historic buildings, which has left him looking for more opportunities, he said. He is currently involved in a mixed-use project in downtown Belmont.

When I walked through the Coca-Cola building with (Gastonia Economic Development Director) Kristy (Crisp), it was exciting, because its got some history to it, he said. Its a neat building.

Vargosko said its still too soon the nail down the specific future uses of the huge space, which includes the original 1935 brick portion and a metal-sided section on the east side that was built later.

Structurally, Vargosko said he envisions the Coca-Cola building housing a restaurant where the main entrance sits at the corner of Franklin and Trenton, with some other commercial uses elsewhere on the ground level. Loft apartments with rooftop terraces could be established to look out toward the future FUSE stadium and entertainment complex, which is under construction now.

That would be Phase 1, he said. Then where the existing metal building sits, we would plan a Phase 2, again with residential up above and commercial below.

Vargosko said his lead-off vision is to establish something akin to the Chelsea Market in Manhattan, which serves as a food hall, shopping mall, office building and more.

Thats a project in New York City where you go in and it looks like an old building, and theres a flower shop, and a candy store, and a coffee shop, he said. Realistically, as Gastonia continues to grow, it may not be that retail intensive. There might be an insurance agent in an office, things like that.

Catalyst for growth

The goal would be to work toward that and create a market for it, essentially changing the thoughts that people have now about what Gastonia can accommodate. There are people who want the lifestyle that such a development would provide, though its not yet offered on the west side of the Catawba River, Vargosko said.

Wed want to maintain that flexibility, but in a perfect world, thats what youd have, he said. On a Friday or Saturday evening, youd have the garage doors on our restaurant open and tied in with the brewpub behind us, and have some lofts above with people watching a baseball game.

For a long time, people have had to drive to Charlotte for such amenities, Vargosko said.

I think with the investment you all have made into the FUSE District, he told City Council members, thats a great catalyst for things like this.

The city plans to continue working with Vargosko and Lenox Development Group in the coming months to further nail down a plan for the building.

You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or on Twitter @GazetteMike.

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Local firm tapped to redevelop Coca-Cola building within Gastonias FUSE District - Gaston Gazette