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Gastonia is in process of trying to get state support to expand the Greenway system. The system is a network of walking and biking trails that connect parts of the city. The growing network is in process of expansion at this time and will soon have the long-awaited connection to Rankin Lake Park. The next step is a bridge over Long Creek that will connect to Gaston College and more points further North.

The bridge is an essential part of the Greenway if the city wants the Greenway to connect to the North. The first step is to secure a grant through the Recreational Trails Program. This would infuse the project with federal money that is then divided throughout the counties through the Division of Parks and Recreation. There is a first round application now, with a second round application in June. The hope is to get the grant which could fund between 50 to 100 percent of the cost of the bridge which is estimated at between $150,000 and $200,000.

Other expansions in progress will connect the Highland Rail Trail to the Northern boundary of Rankin Lake Park. This is all part of the redevelopment of the I-85 U.S. 321 interchange.

Further expansions could include linking Gaston College and the Gastonia Technology Park with Dallas Park off of Dallas-Cherryville Highway. This will give 10 miles of trails, greenways, and enhanced sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists. This will be a much safer alternative for those cyclists and pedestrians as they will not have to navigate automobile traffic on these routes.

For more information and to read the entire article, click on the link to the Gaston Gazette.

The Peninsula at Bayshore is a new home community from builder LiveWell, located off S. New Hope Road in on the banks of the Catawba River right around the corner from Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Just across the river sits Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and directly North is downtown Belmont, North Carolina.

Residents in The Peninsula at Bayshore have easy access to The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, The US National Whitewater Center, and everything Uptown Charlotte has to offer. Lake Wylie is also easy to get to from the neighborhood as are great options for dining, shopping and more. You can also use the nearby highway access to get to Crowder’s Mountain or South Fork Park.

Homes in The Peninsula at Bayshore have large wooded lots, many over an acre. Exteriors are full brick and have sunrooms or screened in porches for outdoor living space. Homes have two or three car garages and courtyard style garages are included on some plans.

High ceilings in the lower floors are common as are open floor plans and hardwoods throughout. Large chef’s kitchens with stainless appliances, gas ranges, granite counters, and ample storage are standard. Homes have between 4 and 5 bedrooms and 3 or more bathrooms. Square footages are typically around 3,000 and can include flex spaces, fireplaces, game rooms, bonus rooms, home offices and more.

Children in the community currently attend award winning Belmont Schools including New Hope Elementary, Cramerton Middle, and South Point High Schools. Please verify school assignments as they can change.

In the past year, homes in The Peninsula at Bayshore have sold for between $350,000 and $437,000 with an average sale price of $390,000. There are currently 3 homes on the market representing 7.2 months of inventory. Eventually there should be future development in the middle of the neighborhood, giving even more options for new homes.

The buzz is that a new mediterranean restaurant is coming to Belmont. The owners, Gus and Vicki Georgoulias have been in the business for a long time. They used to own Cosmos Cafe in Uptown Charlotte which opened in 1997 and Mythos which was a nightclub opened in 1993. They bring their years of experience to this new venture.

The restaurant will be called “Estia’s Kouzina” and is located at 609 N. Main Street. Named after Estia, the Greek goddess of hearth and home, and Kouzina is Greek for “kitchen”. The new restaurant will be Greek-influenced, but have emphasis on healthy, tasty, and unique flavors.

The site is the former home of a catering company and a Chinese buffet and steakhouse. This new revitalization will be a vital part of downtown Belmont and will be a truly family restaurant. Gus and Vicki’s children are already helping and will continue to be a presence. Belmont is a family community and Estia’s Kouzina will fit right in.

The menu should bring the owner’s experience with Greek and Mediterranean-inspired homemade meals to the table. They will be recipes that have been passed down, but will be paired with local ingredients and locally sourced products. Staples such as gyros, souvlaki, moussaka and more will most likely grace the menu as well as tapas for quick bites.

Seating for around 240 people in the main dining room will pair with several private rooms, a bar, and outdoor patio. Local beer will be on draft and there will be a few television screens.

Estia’s Kouzina will be open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner service. Sunday they will be open for brunch. Outside catering will also be available. The build out of the space is still in progress and the owner’s expect an opening sometime in the middle of the year.

For more information, be sure to check out the full article in the GastonGazette.