Gastonia council approves amended Franklin Yards development agreement with demolition, timeline and 15‑year tax incentive

The Gastonia City Council on June 16 approved a second amendment to the master development agreement for Franklin Yards, the former YMCA site at 615 West Franklin Boulevard, advancing a redevelopment plan that increases investment and requires prompt demolition and cleanup.

The amendment, presented by Christy Crisp, the city’s director of economic development, and Mark Miller, principal of Highline Partners, raises the committed private investment and the planned multifamily units. Christy Crisp summarized the changes, including revised start and completion dates and demolition requirements. Miller told the council the project now represents "a $65,000,000 project today," and said the amended agreement is intended to make the project financeable after a challenging real‑estate market cycle.

Under the amendment the developer agreed to begin demolition within 60 days (by approximately Aug. 15, 2026) and complete vertical demolition and abatement by Dec. 13, 2026. Demolition is defined to include abatement and vertical demolition to slab with asphalt allowed to remain for temporary parking; the parties agreed the pool filling plan may use on‑site brick and topsoil but the long‑term removal of foundations will occur before final construction. The amendment also moves the project start date to Jan. 1, 2028, and the completion target to July 1, 2030, with certificate of occupancy by Gaston County defining completion.

The council and developer negotiated incentive and accountability changes. The tax investment grant was reduced from an original 18‑year term at 100% to a 15‑year term at 100% under the amendment; construction‑in‑progress grant provisions and a $1.5 million Gaston County site development grant remain in place. Mayor Pro Tem Gallagher emphasized the package’s accountability features, saying that demolition and site‑work deadlines are conditions that can void incentives if milestones are not met.

Some council members pressed for stronger aesthetic and interim site‑management commitments after demolition. Members raised concerns about leaving exposed slabs and the appearance of a partially demolished site, citing other local examples. After extended discussion the council and developer agreed language would be added requiring temporary surface treatment: fill and topsoil to present a lawn‑like surface (no grading for final construction) and related site‑maintenance commitments to avoid a long‑term eyesore. The developer also proposed, and the council accepted as an acceptable interim option, temporary fencing with renderings on Franklin Boulevard where appropriate.

The council also required the contract language about missed milestones to mirror existing development agreement language: failure to meet milestones results in default and gives the city discretion to terminate the agreement rather than an automatic termination clause, per the developer's request to keep remedies consistent with prior contracts.

After the public hearing and discussion Mayor Pro Tem Gallagher moved to close the hearing and approve the amendment "with the details to be negotiated by city legal staff," including the agreed interim surface treatment; the motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously to approve the amendment. The motion did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; the outcome was recorded as unanimous approval.

Next steps include final legal drafting by city attorneys and developer confirmation of demolition scheduling and abatement plans; the developer indicated demolition contractors and environmental consultants have asbestos abatement plans in place.

Why it matters: The amendment aims to accelerate removal of an inactive, often‑vandalized property and to deliver new housing, commercial space and tax base to downtown Gastonia. Council members framed the approval as a balance between encouraging private investment and protecting taxpayers through enforceable milestones.