Note
as of December 18 - The new owners/developer of Alexander Farms are committed to both integrating the historic Tenant House into their master plan as well as stabilizing and then restoring it as located at the corner of Catawba and Westmoreland in Cornelius. Recognizing there are lots of moving physical and financial "parts" to complete the retail/office development, the new owners, Preserve Mecklenburg, HEARTS, and Town of Cornelius have agreed to set up an independent preservation and reuse funding/donation site. This group will continue to collaborate on a timeline and rehabilitation plan, but the immediate need is to acquire County permission for a contractor to begin the less than 10-days task of stabilizing the Tenant House.
as of 11/13/25 --- Lawsuits filed: Town of Cornelius officials said several lawsuits have been filed between the private entities, further delaying a project that should have been completed years ago. The dispute is between an entity associated with River Rock Communities — the developer of the private homes — and Alexander Farms MU LLC (AFMU), the master developer and commercial developer.
According to online court records:
• This past April, an entity associated with River Rock purchased AFMU’s loan previously held by Stearns Bank after AFMU defaulted on the loan.
• The River Rock entity foreclosed on the note.
• AFMU challenged the foreclosure citing a violation of deed of trust and North Carolina foreclosure law. The challenge made its way through the courts to the N.C. Supreme Court and remains in litigation.
The town has been informed that at least two other lawsuits are pending in Mecklenburg County courts between AFMU and River Rock, according to Town Manager Andrew Grant, who stated the town is not a party to any of the lawsuits, litigation or court proceedings.
