Steele Creek (Charlotte neighborhood)
| Steele Creek | |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood / Township | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| County | 22px Mecklenburg County |
| Government | |
| • Type | No active independent government |
| Area | |
| • Total | 120 km2 (47 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 200 m (600 ft) |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 35,330 |
| • Density | 290/km2 (750/sq mi) |
| By borders of original Steele Creek Township, including areas annexed by the City of Charlotte | |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 28273, 28278 |
| Area code(s) | 704, 980 |
Steele Creek is primarily considered to be a community and neighborhood in the southwestern part of Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. It is generally defined geographically by the original boundaries of Steele Creek Township.[1] Most of Steele Creek is within the city limits of Charlotte but the areas that have not yet been annexed are also recognized as a Township of North Carolina.[2]
Contents
Population
The population of the Steele Creek community was 35,330 as of 2008,[3] roughly two-thirds of which is now located within the City of Charlotte.[4]
Early history
The Steele Creek community derives its name from the small creek bearing the same name. It is believed that name "Steele" was the family surname of Scotch-Irish immigrants who settled in the area in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.[4] The region was eventually designated as Steele Creek Township, one of the original 15 Townships of Mecklenburg County.[1]
Modern history
In 1959, the North Carolina State Legislature revised laws that govern how cities may annex adjacent areas, allowing municipalities to annex unincorporated lands without permission of those residents.[5] This change in North Carolina law led to adoption of an aggressive annexation policy by the City of Charlotte, which repeatedly expanded their borders by annexing land within Steele Creek Township, which had never been formally incorporated.[6]
Despite nearly two-thirds of Steele Creek being annexed by Charlotte, the region remained primarily rural farmland until the 2000s when significant infrastructure improvements greatly accelerated the effects of suburban sprawl. The widening of NC 49, the replacement of the old Buster Boyd Bridge, and the opening of I-485 has spurred tremendous growth in both residential and commercial development. Today Steele Creek is the fastest growing region of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, with over a 70% population boom between 2000 and 2007.[7]
Schools and libraries
School system
The first school in Steele Creek was founded in the 1780s.[8] Today Steele Creek is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. CMS schools in Steele Creek include Olympic Community of Schools (5), Kennedy Middle, Southwest Middle, Lake Wylie Elementary, Steele Creek Elementary, Winget Park Elementary, River Gate Elementary, Berewick Elementary and Palisade Park Elementry.[9]
Libraries
Steele Creek is served by a branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.[10] The library is located on Steele Creek Road, next to Southwest Middle School.
Infrastructure
Main thoroughfares
- Carowinds Boulevard
- General Paul R. Younts Expressway (I-77/US 21)
- Seddon Rusty Goode Freeway (I-485)
- Shopton Road West
- South Tryon Street/York Road (NC 49)
- Steele Creek Road (NC 160)
- Westinghouse Boulevard
Mass transit
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) offers local bus service in the area and express bus service to Uptown Charlotte.
Current routes:
- 41X - Steele Creek Express: Connects between Rivergate Shopping Center and Uptown Charlotte.
- 42 - Carowinds: Connects between Southpoint Business Park and I-485/South Boulevard (LYNX station).
- 55 - Westinghouse: Connects between Westinghouse Business Park and Sharon Road West (LYNX station).
- 56 - Arrowood: Connects between the Rivergate Shopping Center and Arrowood (LYNX station).
Utilities
Water and Trash pick-up is mostly serviced by the city of Charlotte, though third-party companies do service some developments in the area. Electricity is provided by Duke Energy, which holds a monopoly. Natural gas is provided by Piedmont Natural Gas, which holds a monopoly. Data/Telephone/Television service is all offered by AT&T, Time Warner Cable, Windstream Communications, and Comporium Communications (Ayrsley area only).
Health care
CMC-Steele Creek is a healthcare pavilion that includes a 24-hour emergency department. Patients that require long-term care are transferred to either CMC-Pineville or Carolinas Medical Center. Outpatient services is also available at two Urgent Care centers (Presbyterian Medical Plaza and Carolinas Urgent Care-Steele Creek).
Notable residents
- Mel Watt - Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the North Carolina's 12th congressional district.[11]
See also
References
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