Gastonia council approves Franklin Yards amendment, orders demolition and 15-year tax incentive

The Gastonia City Council voted unanimously on June 16 to approve a second amendment to the master development agreement with Highline Partners for the Franklin Yards redevelopment at 615 West Franklin Boulevard.

Christy Crisp, the city's director of economic development, reviewed the proposed changes, saying the original $50 million investment and 220 market-rate units had been revised upward to about $60 million and roughly 280 market-rate units, while the commercial footprint would remain at about 5,000 square feet. The amendment moves the proposed start date from July 1, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2028, and extends the completion deadline to July 1, 2030. Demolition of the existing YMCA building must begin within 60 days of the council's action and be completed by Dec. 13, 2026, the amendment requires.

Mark Miller, principal of Highline Partners, said the market has changed since the original agreement and asked for the extended schedule to secure financing. "This is a ... $65,000,000 project today," Miller said, describing the proposed development as a class-A, amenity-rich mixed-use project he argued would bring residents and economic activity to downtown.

Council members pressed for binding commitments about the interim condition of the site after demolition, worried that exposed slabs or incomplete grading could leave an eyesore. Councilman Kasupius and others asked whether the developer would remove footings and grade the site to a lawn if the broader project did not immediately proceed. Miller and city staff proposed a compromise: vertical demolition to slab with bricks used to fill the former pool and a top coat of dirt and grass seed to present a lawn-like appearance until full site work begins. The council directed legal staff to finalize precise language.

Mayor Pro Tem Gallagher framed the amendment as a balance of accountability and encouragement for downtown investment: "This agreement strikes an error of balance," he said, adding that the amendment includes deadlines and consequences if milestones are missed. The amendment reduces the previously negotiated tax-investment grant from 18 years at 100% to 15 years at 100%. City staff noted there remains a Gaston County $1,500,000 site development grant unchanged by the amendment.

Council members also discussed screening and temporary fencing, renderings on a fence and other aesthetic treatments for Franklin Boulevard during the interim demolition period. The city attorney noted temporary fencing is permissible under zoning with renewals and could be used to display renderings. Several council members preferred covering slabs with dirt and seed rather than long-term fencing; the final motion directed city legal staff to reflect the council's preferences in the amendment language.

The motion to close the public hearing and approve the amendment was made by Mayor Pro Tem Gallagher and seconded by Councilwoman Dreier. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

The council's action obligates the developer to new demolition and milestone deadlines and reduces the incentive period; staff will complete final legal language defining temporary site conditions and enforcement steps. The council emphasized that failure to meet milestones would be treated as default, allowing the city to take action under the development agreement.