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CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously Monday night to purchase Eastland Mall in hopes of turning the property into a TV and film studio.

Supporters of the decision say the purchase of the more than 80-acre property could be a catalyst for more development in east Charlotte. They say they've gotten their hopes up before about redevelopment of the mal but this time the feeling is different.

"Many of us had some skepticism about what would happen but I feel very, very good about this. The feeling I have, I haven't had in a long, long time," said Darrell Bonapart, of the Eastside PAC.

The money to purchase the property will come from $16 million worth of neighborhood bonds, which were approved several years ago.

Leaders with the city's planning department said they will be working on the contract and title for the property in the next 30 days and hope to begin getting it ready for vendors by the end of the year.