Future of Cary Towne Center debated, no action taken at town council meeting

Residents in Cary shared their input on a new proposal for the Cary Towne Center.

The Cary Town Council listened to a request to rezone 87 acres at the center. If approved, the plan would include office space, stores, hotel rooms and multi-family homes.

Resident got a chance to weigh in on the project. During a public hearing some vocalized their support for the project while others had questions about how the proposal’s 1800 housing units will impact Cary.

The developer answered why this new proposal could work.

“I can’t speak to the past I can speak to the future we are excited about it the town has been incredibly involved and collaborative we are really trying to make it something special," said Ryan Nelson of Turnbridge Equities.

One resident was concerned about the proposal and how 1,800 housing units could impact Cary.

“My concerns are the 1800 people you are going to put in small space again do we want to live like that," said Cary resident Pat Whitt. "I don’t let’s work together.”

Next the proposal will go through a work session on Aug. 29, where council members will have a chance to get more questions answered.

Cary Towne Center changed hands seven months ago.

Turnbridge Equities and Denali Properties bought the property from previous owner CBL & Associates Properties with plans to turn it in to a mixed use development.

The center has struggled to keep existing tenants.

The mall lost its JC Penney earlier this year, and Dillard's has announced it plans to close its store.

Sears closed its store in 2015, and Macy's followed a year later, but the center's Belk continues to operate at the enclosed mall.

Last year, IKEA backed out of plans to build a 380,000-square-foot store on 20 acres adjacent to Cary Towne Center.