Steele Creek (Charlotte neighborhood)

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.[3] 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.[4]

Steele Creek
Neighborhood / Township
Location within North Carolina
Coordinates: 35.1345°N 80.9785°W / 35.1345; -80.9785
Country United States
State North Carolina
CountyMecklenburg County
Government
 • TypeNo active independent government
Area
 • Total120 km2 (47 sq mi)
Elevation
200 m (600 ft)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total52,014[1]
 By borders of original Steele Creek Township, including areas annexed by the City of Charlotte
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
ZIP code
28273, 28278
Area code(s)704, 980
GNIS feature ID1001413[2]

Population

The population of the Steele Creek community was 52,014 as of 2010, roughly two-thirds of which is now located within the City of Charlotte.[1][5]

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.[5] The region was eventually designated as Steele Creek Township, one of the original 15 Townships of Mecklenburg County.[3]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

Schools and libraries
The Steele Creek branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County

School system

The first school in Steele Creek was founded in the 1780s.[9] Today Steele Creek is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. CMS schools in Steele Creek include Olympic High, Kennedy Middle, Southwest Middle, Lake Wylie Elementary, Steele Creek Elementary, Winget Park Elementary, River Gate Elementary, Berewick Elementary and Palisades Park Elementary.[10]

Libraries

Steele Creek is served by a branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.[11] 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 and express bus service in the area.[12]

Current routes:

  • 16 - South Tryon: Connects between Rivergate Shopping Center and Center City.[13]
  • 41X - Steele Creek Express: Connects between Rivergate Shopping Center and Center City.
  • 42 - Carowinds: Connects between Southpoint Business Park and I-485/South Boulevard (LYNX station).
  • 55 - Westinghouse: Connects between Charlotte Premium Outlets and Sharon Road West (LYNX station).
  • 56 - Arrowood: Connects between Charlotte Premium Outlets and Arrowood (LYNX station).[14]

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

Carolinas HealthCare System Steele Creek is a healthcare pavilion that includes a 24-hour emergency department. Patients that require long-term care are transferred to another hospital, such as Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville or Carolinas Medical Center. Outpatient services is also available at two Urgent Care centers (Presbyterian Medical Plaza and Carolinas HealthCare Urgent Care-Steele Creek).

Compleat Rehab & Sports Therapy in the Berewick Town Center of Steele Creek offers the community access to expert physical therapists with services including physical therapy, dry needling, sports therapy and performance, and work injury recovery and prevention.

Notable residents

See also

References
  1. "Steele Creek Population Expands Since 2000". Steele Creek Residents Association. March 6, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Steele Creek, North Carolina
  3. "Steele Creek Defined". The Steele Creek Blog. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  4. "North Carolina, Appendix F., County Subdivisions and Places - Section 16" (PDF). Census 2000. U.S. Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  5. "About Steele Creek". Steele Creek Residents Association. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  6. "Annexation - Frequently Asked Questions". OfficialCity of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Government Web Site. July 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  7. Howard, J. Lee (2000-10-20). "Charlotte ranks high in population growth". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  8. Valle, Kirsten (2007-09-09). "Steele Creek Bond Package Includes Land". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
  9. "The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Story: History Timeline: Mecklenburg Communities". cmstory.org Web Site. Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  10. "Steele Creek Residents Association: Local Government Fact Sheet". Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  11. "Steele Creek branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County". Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  12. "CATS Schedule Change". CATS. October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  13. "16 South Tryon" (PDF). CATS. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  14. "56 Arrowood" (PDF). CATS. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  15. "Members of Congress / Melvin Watt". The U. S. Congress Votes Database. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2010-02-25. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
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