Charlotte officials break ground on Hoover Townes, a 39-unit affordable housing project, marking progress in the city’s revitalization efforts.
Charlotte city officials, community leaders, and residents gathered Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of Hoover Townes, a 39-unit affordable housing development on the former site of the Economy Inn near Sugar Creek Road and I-85. The project is part of Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity initiative, aimed at revitalizing historically underserved neighborhoods.
Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson, who represents District 1, welcomed attendees and reflected on the personal and civic significance of the project. “Today we break ground on new affordable housing, a community rising from a site from a former economy inn,” Anderson said. “This development represents more than just new construction. It is a chance to create long-lasting legacy, a path to affordable home ownership.”
Anderson emphasized the importance of homeownership as a tool for stability and generational wealth, noting that the I-85 corridor has long suffered from disinvestment. “With this project and many other Corridors of Opportunity projects to come, we will continue to send a clear message to the community that this community matters and its future is worth building.”
Marjorie Parker, president of the Hidden Valley Community Association, shared the community’s journey from frustration to hope. She recalled how the former motel site had been a source of crime and instability, and how residents rallied for change.
“These motels displaced vulnerable families, attracted high crime rates, and burdened our community with challenges we neither chose nor deserved,” Parker said. She credited community engagement and city leadership for turning a vision of affordable homeownership into reality.
“This groundbreaking symbolizes much more than construction. It represents resilience, justice, and the unwavering belief that with determination, the right allies and faith, true transformation is possible,” Parker said.
Erin Gillespie, a leader in the Corridors of Opportunity program, highlighted the years of planning and collaboration that led to this moment.
“We need to prioritize safety, we need to prioritize housing, and we cannot use the ways and the methods and the tools that we have been using because they’re not working,” Gillespie said, referencing the community’s input during early planning phases.
Construction on Hoover Townes is expected to be completed in 2026. The development is being led by Prosperity Alliance in partnership with True Homes and Pinnacle Financial Partners, and will offer enhanced down payment assistance for eligible buyers through the House Charlotte and House Charlotte Plus programs.
