Flood Mitigation and Open Space Restoration

                    Cavalier Apartments in 1997                                         Cavalier Apartments today

The Cavalier Apartments along Briar Creek has been purchased by Mecklenburg County and will be torn down.

Project Objectives:

• Reduce threat of loss of life or property due to flooding
• Save money on flood insurance claims and emergency response services
• Restore the floodplain to a more natural state

Next big step:

Tenant relocation (summer and fall 2008)

See the Cavalier Apartments' timeline.

Information for tenants of the Cavalier Apartments

Important phone numbers for tenants of the Cavalier Apartments

Read the news release

Why a buyout?

Three devastating floods in nine years caused millions of dollars in damage to the Cavalier Apartments and the belongings of those living there. In its application for FEMA grant funding for this project, Storm Water Services said this apartment complex has "the most floodprone buildings and the highest cumulative flood looses in Mecklenburg County."

Previous engineering studies confirmed there is no way to prevent Briar Creek from repeatedly going over its banks and flooding the apartments. If the Cavalier Apartments remained, future flood damages are estimated to cost four times the price of the buyout.

The buyout of the 192 apartments is the largest single purchase in the history of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services' Floodplain Buyout Program.   The owners' decision to sell was voluntary.

What about the tenants?

Qualifying residents will be given a one-time payment to help with moving expenses and finding a new place to live. Tenant assistance will be in compliance with the federal Uniform Relocation Act.

What happens to the land?

After all tenants move out, the buildings will be torn down in late 2008 or early 2009. This fall, County staff will hold public meetings to discuss possible uses of the thirteen acres of open space. Possible uses being considered:

• Water quality features such as wetlands and rain gardens
• Greenway
• Public park or recreational opportunities

Project Cost: $9.6 million

• $6.6 million to purchase land and buildings
• $3 million for demolition and tenant relocation

Sources of funding:

FEMA Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant: $5.4 million

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services: $4.2 million

Project Manager:

Crystal Taylor, P.E.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
704-336-7342