Ready for a crescendo of change at Symphony Park? SouthPark Community Partners (SCP) announced a $21 million project to renovate the 7.4-acre green space near SouthPark Mall — a key aspect of the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan. It’s all thanks to a public-private partnership paving the way for major upgrades to SouthPark’s public park.

“Symphony Park will become an extraordinary community destination home to frequent, high-quality programming that invites deeper connections among others,” said Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SCP. “The framework we announced today is the product of hard work by a big team over many years.”

Upcoming changes

Simon Property Group, which owns SouthPark Mall, will spearhead building two new restaurants at the park’s edge, driving foot traffic to new micro-retail space.

Other upgrades include:

New lighting or projection art on the bandshell
A trail segment along Carnegie Boulevard + two bridges to connect the SouthPark Loop directly to the park
Permanent public restrooms
Flat and terraced lawn areas
Interactive areas for children
Public art

During the proposal to the City of Charlotte, SouthPark Community Partners explained the designs were driven by community input and will make the park a destination for residents, workers, and neighbors.

Funding

Under the terms of the partnership, $13 million is being invested by Simon Property Group and SCP's $5 million capital campaign + SCP is requesting $8 million from the City of Charlotte through existing bonds for District Six, covering SouthPark.

What's next?

Construction is expected to begin in late summer and be complete by mid-summer 2027. Rhew and SCP are working with city staff to determine if rezoning is necessary for the project.

Until then, SouthPark After 5, a free weekly outdoor concert series, returns for the season starting Thursday, April 17.