tarik

WOW, there it a God!!! It is amazing to finally see this project being completed. It has been a long time coming. Hopefully they will complete it as designed with all the steel balconies and stairs. Looks like they are with the amount of money that is being poured into the site (actually stone being removed for raingarden). Go BofA!!!

Oh yah, the sub I talked to at the hearing also mentioned that he works with Cox Shepp and has heard nothing to the effect that Tuscan is hiring them. I would be extremely surprised to see construction resume considering the expense it would take to fix the project from the deteriorated state it is in. By the way, aren't all of Tuscan's projects in Charlotte a failure? The Observer referenced Hagood and that there are companies that are going after Rip's personal assets, and his wife's. Even though I would like to, I don't believe the hype.

I talked with Rip and he mentioned that Cox Shepp was onboard to complete the construction and remobilize in September. Here we are 2 months later. I attended the Neighborhood Development and Zoning public hearing put on by the inspector for the area, and they are actively pursuing a demolition process based off the demolition petition that was put together by residents of Optimist Park. The case is atypical for them, and they are having to go through 16 title holders and lien holders. Rip mentioned to them the 2-week timeframe to the City also. There was a sub from Bloc90 that did the exterior and he mentioned that he has a lien fro $100K. If you walk the site it is apparent that most of the valuable materials have been looted.

As for the "flats" at 16th on the Green, there is an add to the sign that says you can but the whole projects (unbuilt), the land, and the drawings for $250K. If there was a golf-course running along the greenway, it may work. Until then, it seems dead. Bloc90 still has stairs, balconies, and sitework to complete. I do not forsee this becoming tomorrow's slums. There is more in Optimist Park's future to stop that, even though they are well-designed and a movement forward for the character of the neighborhood. Having a light-rail station at 16th as opposed to Parkwood is beneficial to the whole area. Walking a 1/4 mile is not far at all. Having a stop in front of your house is unappealing and less safe.

See link below for more detailed information regarding the Green on 16th. Don't know why they consider the address on 15th... http://www.cityviewbuilders.com/projects.html

The Sugar Creek Greenway is further connecting people: Construction is underway for the pedestrian bridge that will span the creek under the train trellis into Seigle Point from Belmont Avenue. If you go down Belmont Ave. to where it crests and look towards the city, you can see it. Blythe Construction is the contractor, as the permit states. Anyone has further information/ images? Also, there is Greenway construction at Kings Ave. and 7th St. that hopefully furthers the connection, possibly all the way to Freedom Park and on...

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN OPTIMIST PARK!!! At the end of 16th Street on the Park, there are signs going up for a new development called "16th on the Green". It is composed of 6 units @ 1600sf each, with each unit having a 2-car garage. They are priced starting at $299K, and most listed online are $323Kish. Jeff at Allen Tate said that once 3 units are pre-sold they will start being built. The units will be decked out with all the works. I really hope they are able to get these sold. Great things are in store here in Optimist Park! Bloc90 is well underway. It appears 2 buildings are in the phase I. Does anyone know when phase II is slated to begin construction? With all that is happening here, these long-term investments will make this community an even better place to live! You can find the listing at www.home-yet.com then hit properties. The 16th on the green is on the second page.

Henry Heath was the president prior to the Justice Project holding an election. You may try to contact him to get the new president's name and number. I forget what her name is. Henry/ Bubba can help though.

Thanks for the input shawn&zoe. The greenway is a beautiful resource, as I walked there this morning in a light fog, it was such a natural departure from the construction and urban density that is quickly started to be built along the edges. Belmont Springs is a neighborhood built on strong bonds between people and places in the area. I always enjoy it, even when at times it may seem threatening.

Here's what I saw on my 15 minute walk through Little Sugar Creek Greenway this afternoon: 1. A film crew shooting (with a camera) a movie from a director in 4th Ward. 2. A 9-mm gunshot shell. 3. A pretty fine-looking prostitute in nice clothing. 4. Some nasty looking hookers wearing rags. 5. A nice kid that pet the dog. 6. Probably 20 broken, shot-up 40 oz. glass beer bottles. 7. Collections of garbage. 8. Collections of personal belongings. 9. 20 or more people playing basketball. 10. 2 new 3000+ sf houses being built on the greenway (see previous photos). 11. A new 6-unit townhouse development directly on the greenway adjacent to the basketball courts. 12. Dormant community garden. 13. Two millhouses being renovated on Myers Street. 14. Empty lots for sale. You can't get more diverse than this; this is why I love it and live here. You only need to look in your backyard to find beauty, even if your backyard is Hunter Tire & Auto.

The UNCC diversion bewilders me. The environmental impact of this tangent off the line, in my opinion, could be avoided if CATS had the progressive stance of asking UNCC to create an inter-university bus/ shuttle system, such as any other large/growing campus. The electric limo golf carts don't cut it...

According to the MUMPO maps at tonight's meeting, Little Sugar Creek Greenway is set to connect from Cordelia Park to Siegle Pointe, with construction being Spring of '08. The other day when I walked over there, there are no new signs of this connection, primarily under the railroad bridge, which may not be owned by the city. Rail companies don't give in easy, so hopefully this project will prevail. They have started surveying for the sidewalk/ tree-lined pedestrian ROW that will link between N. Davidson Street at 15th and the greenway. This should be a drastic improvement to the corner drop-spot of yesterday. Plus, putting condos directly on the greenway will help safety. As long as people start using these improvements, the area will have an improved quality of life. If not, at least the homeless won't have to walk in the middle of the street. There will not be additional street-level lighting on this past. Better something than nothing, I guess... If you are interested in buying into Opt12, there are two units available- a townhouse and the penthouse overlooking the skyline. Priced at $165K and $185K respectively.

Site work on Bloc90 is moving ahead; they work from 7am-7pm every day; but I cannot complain about the noise. A couple days ago the city posted a "Optimist Park Sidewalk Improvement" sign on North Davidson Street between 15th and 16th on the west side on the street. I am researching this a bit more, and think it is part of the larger Belmont/ Seigle Avenue Pedscape plan. Since they get all the money, they share some of it across the creek, as far as I know. The townhouses at the "drug corner" at 15th on the creek are nearing completion. Doea anyone have information regarding the sales?

To correct myself- The parcels are zoned R-8 along the greenway on North Davidson.

940 Brevard is coming along quickly, thanks for the updated photos. Bloc90 site work is still underway- there was a hydraulic fluid tank that was removed along with contaminated soil that was replaced. They have finished levelling the ground where the buildings are to go, and I think they will start utility work on Monday to install the storm-water piping which is already on site. It is moving along well, but I do not see the project being completed in January- maybe next spring though. Does anyone have information on how the sales have been for Bloc90? I am interested to know how many they have pre-sold. There is a lot on North Davidson that is under contract near the greenway entrance at 17th St. All these lots along that strip are zoned R-5, and the sale sign suggested putting condos on the site. It would be a nice place for a series of "urban" condos between Parkwood and 16th since these lots are literally on the greenway with the potential for skyline views. The other side of the street has a much better potential for renovations for renovations of the historic single-family homes. And if/when the railyard moves, that stretch on Parkwood will be another perfect spot for a linear set of townhomes with fascianting morning views of uptown, in addition to all the space open for retail, parks, restaurants, etc. If only Hunter Tire and Auto can find a buyer! For those questioning other investments in the area, there are smaller projects popping up, like the series of 4 condos on the greenway at the end of 15th St. from North Davidson. Although this is a "sketchy" area right now, having eyes on the street and park are going to drastically change that hotspot. This area, as many state, will be a whole lot different in the near future, and is currently a nice, pleasant neighborhood that is transitioning well. People may be getting shot, but it is due to drugs and slumlords that are not active in the community. The CMPD has identified these locations, and are pushing to take these unactive landlords to court. The system is slow, and it is up to the community members to help push these local issues forward.