CHARLOTTE – City officials likely knew Bert Hesse was going to ask for some city money in his ambitious plan to bring a film studio to Eastland Mall. Hesse, the CEO of Studio Charlotte Development, hasn’t been shy in saying ...

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The Eastland Mall demolition itself may be procedural, but as the walls fall on a mall that was once one of the most popular shopping destinations in the city, it’s not hard to picture the transition from debris to development. The city is now one step closer to that possible development, as it held the first meeting on Wednesday with Studio Charlotte Development to discuss the company’s proposal to build a film studio complex on the 80-acre Central Avenue site.

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CHARLOTTE – The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to begin negotiations with a movie studio developer to redevelop Eastland Mall. Studio Charlotte Development, led by CEO Bert Hesse, has emerged as the city’s preliminary choice for the redevelopment, even if the choice was more by default.

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The city’s Economic Development Committee last week made a decision that increased the likelihood of an ambitious $300 million film studio being built on the East Side. The committee, which includes Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon and City Council members Warren Cooksey, David Howard, LaWana Mayfield, and James Mitchell, will recommend on Aug. 26 that the full City Council vote to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Studio Charlotte Development, starting exclusive negotiations with the company.

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Charlotte-based ARK Ventures, which developed the N.C. Music Factory, on Tuesday informed the city that the company no longer wished to be considered for the planned redevelopment of the former mall on Central Avenue.

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Youthful ENERGY Foundation, a nonprofit based in the city, is holding a public meeting Aug. 12 on a proposal for a movie studio complex at Eastland Mall. The meeting will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Antioch Mission Baptist Church, 232 Skyland Ave. in Charlotte.

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Since the Charlotte City Council voted in August to buy Eastland Mall – and even prior to the official purchase – rumors have flown around the Queen City about the future of the once-great, now-derelict mall. Would it become a subdivision or residential development? Possibly a film studio? Many in Charlotte were quick to say they thought the old mall would continue to sit, blighted, on Central Avenue.

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With little fanfare, the city has decided to squash the hollow shell of Eastland Mall, in response to the perceived needs of the two developers who have been shortlisted to remake the 80-acre site. But Bert Hesse, CEO of Studio Charlotte Development, one of the developers considered for Eastland redevelopment, said city officials would be smart to hold off on the demolition, adding that, in doing so, they could save some money and possibly a piece of the storied mall.

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The last time Noah Lazes went against the grain, he lost. Late last year, Lazes, president of the Ark Group, battled futilely for the Carolina Theatre against the heavily favored and deep-pocketed Foundation for the Carolinas.

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The city has chosen three developers to respond to a Request for Proposals on the redevelopment of the former Eastland Mall.

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