Top Stories for Oct. 22, 2025

2024-2026 County Commissioners inside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Meeting Chamber. Left to Right: Commissioner Meier, Commissioner Powell, Commissioner Rodriguez-McDowell, Commissioner Townsend-Ingram, Commissioner Jerrell, Commissioner Altman, Commissioner Dunlap, Commissioner Griffin and Commissioner Leake.

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board met on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.

1. Polishing Priorities at Commissioner Retreat: The Board of County Commissioners will attend a fall retreat to discuss its priorities for the upcoming year and start laying the groundwork for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. The two-day meeting is scheduled for Oct. 27 and 28 at the Valerie C. Woodard Conference Center, Entrance E, 3205 Freedom Dr. in Charlotte. The Board will present projects aligned with their priorities, including economic development, health equity and wellness, environmental stewardship, services for seniors, workforce development, and reducing racial disparities. Board members will also receive an update on the County’s review of programs and services, a deep dive into the budget assessment, and an update on the County’s new performance management framework. 

2. Reviving the Excelsior Club: The Board appropriated $1.5 million to support the revitalization of the historic Excelsior Club, which served for decades as the city’s premiere African American social club. The support is part of a public-private partnership among Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the developers Kennedy Property Development and Crosland Southeast. The developers intend to purchase the Excelsior Club property on Beatties Ford Road and redevelop it as a community and entertainment venue.

3. Sunrise at Eastland: Park and Recreation will host a groundbreaking for the new Eastland Park, a roughly 4.5-acre park on the site of the Eastland Yards development and the former Eastland Mall. Construction on Eastland Park began this fall, with completion expected in spring of 2027. Mecklenburg County will celebrate the project, which reflects the desires of the surrounding community, honors the history of the Eastland site and east Charlotte, and connects to the mixed-use community hub of Eastland Yards. The celebration will be held on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m., near the intersection of Sol East Avenue and Eastland Yards Boulevard in east Charlotte. 

4. Highlighting Services, Hearing from Neighbors: Board Chair Mark Jerrell invites residents to a community meeting featuring presentations on Park and Recreation services, amenities, and capital investments across the Mecklenburg County. Residents will hear from the county manager and director of the Park and Recreation Department and have an opportunity to offer feedback and ask questions. The meeting will be held on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m., at the indoor pavilion of Veterans Park, 2136 Central Ave., in Charlotte. 

5. SoFi to Char-Meck: SoFi Technologies, a digital services company, will establish a regional hub in Charlotte, creating 225 new jobs. This $3 million capital investment will greatly expand SoFi’s regional presence in Charlotte. The hub will be in the Ballantyne submarket, with new positions including loan officers, loan processors, underwriters, chief experience analysts, and sales and management teams with an average annual salary of $107,000. 

6. Get Immunized: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available in Mecklenburg County, including through Public Health, which encourages residents to get immunized as we head into the cold and flu season. Residents can check with their healthcare provider or pharmacy to get vaccinated and protect their health. Anyone without insurance can visit a free or low-cost clinic or walk-in or schedule an appointment through Public Health at 704-336-6500. For more information, visit Health.MeckNC.gov.