Mecklenburg County and First & Early Capital are moving forward with Phase I of the Brooklyn Village redevelopment in uptown Charlotte, aiming for a potential start after a county vote on November 5.

County commissioners are revisiting the Brooklyn Village plan after years of delay since the initial 2016 developer was chosen, and they may approve a new development agreement with First & Early Capital, ending the previous BK Partners agreement from 2018.

A nine-month planning window would be followed by a county vote on the new plan, with construction required to begin within 36 months if approved; financing timing will influence completion.

Phase I requires construction to start within 36 months of plan approval, and the overall completion depends on financing options at that time.

First & Early Capital’s Phase I proposal keeps total floor area at about 630,000 square feet but lowers office and residential counts and adds a 150-room hotel.

Phase I offers two residential density options: two buildings with 198 units each or one building with 320 units, with at least 10% of units designated as affordable housing, including at least 10 units for households at 60% of area median income.

The affordable housing commitment in Phase I requires a minimum of 10% of units, including at least 10 units for households at 60% of area median income.

A lawsuit filed by the county seeks damages for breaches, an order to demolish the old Board of Education building, and a declaration that BK Partners’ rights to later phases can be terminated due to delays in delivering promised public and private benefits.

Mecklenburg County filed the lawsuit in Superior Court in August alleging breaches of deadlines and milestones, including demolishing the Board of Education building by July 28, 2025, and beginning multifamily construction by that date.

If the November vote approves the plan, First & Early will develop a detailed plan within nine months, followed by another vote, and then construction must start within 36 months.

Some commissioners want stronger affordable housing commitments and greater recognition of Brooklyn Village’s history, with calls to reserve retail space for minority-owned businesses.

First & Early acquired Phase I for $24.3 million in June, and a 75-day process was launched to align county and developer efforts ahead of November milestones.