SouthPark’s long-promised overhaul of Symphony Park is slipping past its original schedule and getting more expensive, even before the first shovel hits the ground. SouthPark Community Partners and other backers insist the slowdown is temporary, but it lands just as the surrounding area gears up for a heavy stretch of construction.
Start Delay And Price Tag
Renovations and additions to the 7.4-acre Symphony Park are now expected to begin several months later than originally planned and at a cost higher than the roughly $21 million framework laid out last year, according to SouthPark Community Partners. The shift in timing and budget was first reported by the Charlotte Business Journal, which noted that the group still describes itself as confident in the project’s long-term payoff.
What’s In The Plan
The redesign focuses on turning Symphony Park into a more active, year-round destination with new public amenities. Plans include a boardwalk and a segment of the SouthPark Loop trail, a rebuilt bandshell that can support light or projection art, permanent restrooms, micro-retail stalls, terraced and flat event lawns, two pedestrian bridges and interactive children’s areas. As outlined by SouthPark Community Partners, design firms LandDesign and Neighboring Concepts are helping shape the concept.
Funding And The City’s Role
The project is structured as roughly a $21 million public-private partnership that leans on private donations, a capital campaign and city funding. According to Axios Charlotte, City Council voted to contribute $8 million, while SouthPark Community Partners aims to secure about $13 million in private commitments alongside a $5 million campaign.
Contractor And Timeline
Rodgers Builders was selected last fall as construction manager for the park makeover, and earlier projections had work starting next summer and wrapping up by mid-summer 2027. As detailed by the Charlotte Business Journal, those dates were based on initial procurement and permitting expectations that have since been adjusted.
Why Planners Say It Matters
Project leaders say the delay is a speed bump rather than a derailment for their broader goal of building a more active public square in the heart of SouthPark. “Symphony Park will become an extraordinary community destination home to frequent, high-quality programming that invites deeper connections among others,” Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners, said in a press release. SouthPark Community Partners notes the park will be stewarded in partnership with Simon to support ongoing community programming.
Next Steps
SouthPark Community Partners formally introduced the Symphony Park framework to City Council in April 2025 and says it will continue working with city staff and elected officials to finalize timing and permitting. The project was discussed as part of a broader SouthPark vision during that meeting, according to Charlotte City Council minutes.
