Title
Budget Amendment - Historic Excelsior Club Restoration and Revitalization Partnership
Action
ACTION:
1. Amend the FY2025-2026 General Fund (0001) Budget Ordinance to appropriate $1,500,000 of General Fund Balance to support the restoration and revitalization of the local historic landmark.
2. Authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Kennedy Property Development and Crosland Southeast, or a to-be-formed related entity, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the redevelopment, preservation, restoration, or replication of the historic Excelsior Club.
Staff Contact: Dr. Leslie Johnson, Deputy County Manager
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Originally purchased in 1944 by Jimmy McKee, the Excelsior Club was a vital center for African American arts, culture, and civil rights organizing. Located in Charlotte’s historic Washington Heights community, it served as a gathering space for leaders, musicians, and activists who shaped the city’s cultural identity and social progress.
Over the years, several transformations took place to enhance the building façade, the most significant being a substantial remodel and expansion in 1952 that included the Excelsior Club’s distinctive, Art Moderne (Art Deco) design and ziggurat-style exterior. On March 17, 1986, the Excelsior Club was designated as a historic property for its special significance in terms of history, architecture, and cultural importance. The property closed in 2016 and has remained vacant since that time.
This public-private partnership will preserve, restore, or replicate the historic façade of the building and reimagine the site as a multi-use cultural and community venue. Kennedy Property Development and Crosland Southeast (the "Developers"), or a related entity, intend to purchase the Excelsior Club property for the purposes of redeveloping it as a community and entertainment venue. Both the County’s Economic Development Committee and the City’s Jobs & Economic Development Committee have endorsed the project and recommended advancing for approval to their respective governing bodies.
The County and City have agreed to enter into a tri-party agreement. Under this agreement, the Developers must submit redevelopment and restoration plans to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission for review and approval before any construction begins. The County and City contributions will be made as reimbursements upon the completion of defined construction milestones, ensuring accountability and preservation compliance.
The County's participation is funded from interest returns earned on unspent ARPA funds.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
FY2026 appropriation of General Fund (0001) Balance in the amount of $1,500,000