SouthPark (Charlotte neighborhood)


SouthPark is an area edge city in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Its name is derived from the upscale SouthPark Mall, which opened on February 12, 1970. At nearly 1.8 million square feet, SouthPark Mall is the largest shopping mall in Charlotte and all of North Carolina.
The area is geographically centered at the intersection of Fairview Road and Sharon Road in the south central sector of the city, about six miles south of Uptown Charlotte. In addition to being home to the mall, SouthPark is also a residential area and one of the larger business districts in Charlotte. SouthPark is typical of the mixed-use developments found in many larger cities. Seventeen photographs of the area around South Park and Phillips Place, taken in the year 2000, are displayed as part of an exhibit on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Story website.

History

The neighborhood was once a part of a farm owned by former North Carolina Governor Cameron Morrison.
Directly adjacent to SouthPark Mall is Morrison Boulevard, which connects SouthPark with the Barclay Downs neighborhood.

Demographics

As of 2010, SouthPark had a population of 16,549. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 89.1% White American, 3.7% Black or African American, 2.5% Asian American, and 1.6% of some other race. Hispanic or Latino American of any race made up 3.1% of the population. The median household income for the area was $90,851.

Transportation infrastructure

Mass transit

The following buses from the Charlotte Area Transit System serve SouthPark:
SouthPark serves as a transit hub with the SouthPark Community Transit Center, which is located on the parking deck of the SouthPark Mall, between Belk and Dillard's. The hub also serves as a transfer point to several stations along the Lynx Blue Line light rail.

Roads

Fairview Road, Colony Road, Park Road, Sharon Road, Sharon Lane, and Morrison Boulevard are important thoroughfares in SouthPark. Interstate 77 also serves SouthPark via Tyvola Road. The area relies on car traffic and congestion can be an issue during the day.

Economy

SouthPark is the home to the Fortune 300 company Nucor, as well as Dixon Hughes Goodman, National Gypsum, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, AmWINS Group, Carolinas AGC and Piedmont Natural Gas. Fluor, Bank of America Mortgage, First Citizens Bank, SunTrust Banks and CSX have major divisional operations located in SouthPark. The area is also home to the flagship store of grocer Harris Teeter.

Shopping

Within the limits of SouthPark, the upscale SouthPark Mall features many high-end designers and boutiques such as Kate Spade, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Kenneth Cole, American Girl, Lacoste, Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, and many others. SouthPark Mall is also anchored by Dillard's, the flagship store for Belk, North Carolina's second Nordstrom, the state's only Neiman Marcus, and Macy's. Dick's Sporting Goods and The Container Store serve as additional anchors at the mall. The Village at SouthPark, located adjacent to the Dillard's store, features Crate & Barrel and restaurants. Other shopping complexes such as Phillips Place are within a close radius to SouthPark Mall and feature a diverse mix of tenants including Taylor Richards & Conger, Allen Edmonds, Brooks Brothers, Orvis, and Restoration Hardware, which is being renovated into a two-story, 41-000 square foot center complete with a rooftop restaurant.
SouthPark is the most congested shopping area in the United States during Black Friday weekend.

Healthcare

, owned and operated by Atrium Health, serves SouthPark and surrounding areas. Atrium Health recently opened a new medical office complex within SouthPark featuring a medical office tower and freestanding emergency department.

Education and library

School systems

Residents of SouthPark attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, including Beverly Woods Elementary, Selwyn Elementary, Sharon Elementary, Smithfield Elementary Alexander Graham Middle, Carmel Middle, Quail Hollow Middle, Myers Park High School, Providence Day School and South Mecklenburg High School. Charlotte Country Day School is on the eastern edge of SouthPark

Library

SouthPark is served by the Morrison branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Sites of interest