North Charlotte Today

Published on March 08, 2024 Charlotte, NC (March 8, 2024) - The City of Charlotte has been selected as one of only 19 cities nationwide to receive an Underrepresented Communities Grant to preserve and honor the history of McCrorey Heights and Oaklawn Park.

"We are honored to receive this grant from the National Park Service," said Monica Holmes, deputy director of the City of Charlotte’s Planning Department. "Preserving the legacy of our civil rights leaders is not only a tribute to their courage and dedication but also a vital step in educating future generations about the struggles and triumphs of our past."

The $21,500 grant, administered by the National Park Service, will enable the city to obtain vital consulting services for finalizing the National Register nominations for both communities. The grant-funded consulting services will play a crucial role in completing the National Register nominations for these historic areas. This process involves meticulous research, documentation, and collaboration with local historians and community members to ensure the accuracy and significance of the nominations.

Both McCrorey Heights and Oaklawn Park, located in the Beatties Ford Road Corridor of Opportunity, are designated Charlotte Historic Districts. If these communities are added to the National Register of Historic Places, they will receive additional preservation benefits and incentives.

This project is being supported in part by the Underrepresented Communities Grant (URC) from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.