NCN8ive
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Posts posted by NCN8ive
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I don't see any positives in removing free, easy public transit. The Gold Rush is one of uptown's finest assets and it would be a shame to see it removed in an attempt to force people onto the rail line. Reminds me of how the bus companies insisted on the streetcars being removed back in the early 19th century, and we see what a catastrophic move that was, both for rail and bus transit.
Having used the Orange Line quite a lot in the past, I cannot imagine that I would have ridden LYNX for the same purposes. If I want to get from Ri-Ra to the Green, the first thing I do is look down N. Tryon and see if there's a Gold Rush bus on the way. If there isn't, I either hoof it or get a cab (probably the former unless the weather is horrible). No way am I going to walk all the way to a rail station, then stand there for 15 minutes for a train that's going to roll very slowly for a few blocks, then get off and walk another block to my destination, and have to pay for the experience.
Just out of curiosity then...what WOULD you do if they enacted this plan? (no more orange line Gold Rush)
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What do y'all think of this: CATS drops the Orange Gold Rush line completely (I believe that's the N--->S--->N route along Tryon St.). Shouldn't this stimulate higher ridership on Lynx? CATS could reallocate the Orange Gold Rush vehicles to another, new (or old (Blue)) route, rather than running parallel to Lynx by a block.
I like that idea on the face of it. The fact that the Gold Rush is free, and paid for by Center City Partners or the Convention and Visitors Board, the idea might not be well received. The point of the line I believe is to make traveling around uptown easy (and cheap) to stimulate more business.
This might be one of those ideas for when the light rail system matures a little and people would be more willing to pay for something they used to get for free. But, I think this is a GREAT idea. We need more people thinking about these things. It also wouldn't hurt to suggest this to CATS and see what they think.
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I think the TVMs are a bit over-engineered. They should be reserved for the more complicated transactions. To supplement these machines they really need to come up with another machine with the simplicity of a coke machine. (instead of an ATM) The time difference in the two approaches really does add up.
I know this isn't exactly what you are talking about, but it is a step in that direction. There is an option on the first screen that allows you to buy 1 adult one-way ticket by only pressing that button. I forget what the option is called exactly, but it's in the lower LEFT hand side of the screen. You press the button, put in your $1.30, and you're done. It's much faster than going through that same process step by step.
Also, CATS was selling Day Passes yesterday for the game for $2.60...the same price as two one-way tickets. They were doing this to cut down on the lines at the TVM after the game. Unfortunately, I had already purchased my one-way before the attendant came over and told us about the day pass. GREAT idea...but, a sign on the actual machine would have been a more efficient way to spread the word...not just one lady trying to approach everyone to tell them about the offer. No complaints though...thought it was great CATS was trying to be pro-active.
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I'm not sure anyone has posted it, but the County is looking to sell Walton Plaza. They have been received unsolicited inquiries from developers interested in the property and have no decided to move county functions out to Freedom Mall, and to relocate the school functions there to whatever office space the CMS headquarter's relocation occupies.
This would be a major boost in my opinion, as it occupies an extrordinary amount of land for such a small (ugly) building. This would be a good spot for several mid/high-rises. I hope that any redevelopment of the site would include an additional street running adjacent to 277 between McDowell and Alexander.
I think this is a great idea. I think this parcel was marked as "also available" in the video that was posted on the NASCAR Hall of Fame thread (since moved to another thread) of land the city was trying to sell around the new South Blvd./277 interchange.
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This type of signage has always been a part of the project. It's one of the things I'm looking most forward to. I think it will really change the "feel" of this part of town.
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Not getting into the debate about city benefits, I obviously believe that partnerships of any type should be treated equally.
On the note about housing, though. 1) I've never seen discrimination towards gays or lesbians in housing in Charlotte though I am not saying it doesn't occur. I'm sure it does, but would suspect it is on an individual basis and not part of a greater policy of the city, property owners, or management companies. 2) You might be interested to know that North Carolina still has a law on the books that precludes ANY non-married male/female couple from occupying a rental property together. Almost no one enforces this, yet TR Lawing rental agency in Charlotte does if they decide to and I know people they have been refused renting housing because they are a straight non-married couple. The interesting part is this ordinance does not apply to same sex couples.
I only point this out to try and make sure everyone recognizes that there is inequity and dated laws that affect many segments of our population.
You know, I really hope that the National perception of Charlotte is based on people like you! The more I read, the more I appreciate your balanced, positive view on what it's like to live in Charlotte. I'm proud of our booming population, great weather, growing skyline, and new job generation. But, I'm equally proud Charlotte has such a positive social atmosphere. I'm glad, in this case, that straight and gay people seem to coexist peacefully and your point of view is always a refreshing change from others I read (not just limited to anything posted in this particular thread).
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I've been there 3 times now. Once I walked from Center City and the other two times I drove there, used their free deck to park in, and walked from there to Center City. Does that mean I've just proven there is foot traffic? Def. as much as one visit by someone else in a car has proven there isn't any and that traffic will be bad. Pretty bad logic from what I can tell.
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I am not sure if this is the right place for this post anymore...
I was downtown on Thursday and talked to a lady inside Bellacino's...she said they open today. I suppose something could delay it...but that's what she said.
She also said Fat Burger was the tenant next door...I didn't ask about an opening date for that.
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It seems that the model has been changed to. I do think they have added shorter mini-spires around the top of the roof to give it some sort of topping. I don't have a copy of the old renderings, but by memory, those are new.
I thought the exact same thing yesterday when I passed by the model across the street. I meant to walk over there on my way back, but forgot.
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Anybody been over the Home Depot yet? It was supposed to open today right? The Observer has an article on it today. They say the main differences are there is not a lumber or outdoor garden center. These are replaced by a larger furniture section. The hopes that more house decorations and furniture will make the store more friendly and inviting to women.
I actually went last night. It opened about 6 PM and stayed open till 9. It's a pretty cool concept. They have flooring, lighting, some appliances, cabinetry, etc. They also, as said above, have home decorations and lots of storage options. It doesn't look like a Home Depot really at all.
They had deserts and drinks last night that were free for shoppers. I think they were having a breakfast today for customers. Everyday through the weekend they had something special going on as part of their grand opening. It's really a cool store, and walking in front with both levels lit and shoppers coming and going, it looks really urban and nice. It has the feel of a much larger city when you're there.
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It's not an EXPO Design Center, though -- This is a Home Depot Design Center. There are only two in the country.
See this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more info on this concept:
I'm just curious here...I see Scott replied to Nible, who I assume replied to me. But, I don't see that reply anywhere. I'm a little confused as to where the comment that Scott replied to is now...
However, Scott is correct. This Charlotte store is not the same as the Expo Design Center. There are quite a few of those around. This concept is not quite as upscale as the Expo Design Center (I believe).
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I agree, something about it really comes off as urban, even though you're walking into two stores that are possibly the biggest symbols of suburban life (Home Depot and Target). But as long as the US economy brings merchandise to people primarily through warehouse/big box stores, it is great to have this project serving people living in the central part of Charlotte.
On a critical note, I'm a bit annoyed that they didn't use some day-lighting in the store. Even Walmart used skylights to supplement fluorescent lighting during the day in their Wilkinson store. Not only do you save the electricity for lighting, but you also prevent the energy from baking the roof as much, which is a major source of urban heat islands (sun baked roofs and baked roads = warmer cities = warmer climate overall). Lately Walmart has been doing more initiatives to be greener, including requiring sustainable agricultural practices, and pushing energy efficient products. Their Wilkinson store not only uses the skylights, but also had stained concrete flooring rather than an additional flooring product like Target did. At some point, Target needs to recognize that it needs to start doing these things to protect their brand. In the future, if Walmart proves itself to not just be greenwashing, their brand could see a resurgance (rather than symbolizing evil, like it does to many today), and Target's star could fall a bit.
I think Home Depot owns the building (and therefore leases space to Target) and would be responsible for the design.
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The front if you can't read it says
And the back says
Sounds wonderful, I'll definately be attending, I hope to see others there.
Apparently this one and the one in Concord, Ca. are the only two Home Depot Design Centers in the country. I'm sure more will follow...but it's sortof cool to be first.
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That sounds about right
I saved the best for last:
On the Charlottetowne Avenue side of the Parking Deck... (they are spaced out, i just fused them together)
This is the short history, a century-by-century breakdown, of what was on the Midtown site in years prior and some information about the surrounding area too.
1600s: Catawba Indians: a Sioux Tribe, lived in villages along the banks of the Sugar Creek. Their word "Suuk," a group of huts, gave Sugar Creek its name. Today the Catawba Indians still live on tribal lands to the south of Charlotte.
1700s: Scots-Irish Farmers began settling in the hills along Sugar Creek in the 1750s. Led by the Polk and Spratt families, they chartered the village of Charlotte in 1768 - named for Queen Charlotte, wife of England's King George III.
1800s: Thompson Orphanage was founded here in 1887. It preserved many acres of greenspace - farmland in the middle of the city. The orphanage's handsome Saint Mary's Chapel still stands 2 blocks to the north
1900s: Charlottetown Mall: Internationally renowned developer James Rouse built Charlottetown Mall here in 1954 - the first enclosed shopping center in the South. People came from miles around to enjoy its indoor fountains and escalator.
2000s: Midtown and Sugar Creek revived: Metropolitan is a mixed use development of residential, retail & office, which brings new energy to this important gateway to Uptown. A major component of this development is the revival of Little Sugar Creek and the extension of the greenway from here to South Carolina providing recreation, trails and connectivity for all to enjoy.
This is a really cool part of this project. I've checked it out a couple of times now as it's been installed for about 6 weeks or so. I even took some out of town guests there over the weekend.
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I was at the stoplight coming up Trade across College, and got to looking really hard at the side of Epicenter. On the fourth floor there is a metal railing and every eight feet or so is the name of the complex written in metal also. From four floors below, and squinting my eyes to make it out, I swear it was spelled EPICENTRE...
Hasn't it always been spelled this way? I mean, except for whoever started this thread...but the actual project has always been named this...
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I think Target opens 10/14 and Home Depot opens 10/10.
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Honkytube? That doesn't offend anyone?
Imagine if it used any other racial term than Honkey. There'd be some upset people in this forum.
I know it's said as a joke, but I think it's a bit much.
Back on topic...I'd hate to be the guys that have to clean all that glass.
Yeah, I wanted to ask before I said anything...but it doesn't seem like the greatest name for them. I mean, I'm not offended, but it does seem like it's in bad taste. I'm from the south and I've never heard the term in my life. It sounds like something George Jefferson would call them.
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That rendering would look nice if it didn't have the giant honkytube across the road. I just don't understand why visitors to the banks shouldn't have to walk on the street with the commoners.
What is a honkytube? Or, more precisely, what is the derivation of the term?
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Out of curiosity, is it the price range or the size thats making people feel that this project is in so much trouble? Are there deeper administrative issues keeping it grounded, or is this negativity driven by the market?
As long as they've sold about 1/2 the units, does it really matter if they sell the rest before construction begins? I mean, I know they'd rather have a sell out, but is that really a barrier to starting construction?
I thought (maybe this was just something I dreamed) they had already sold most (2/3 range) of the units for this building.
Either build it or don't...but don't keep delaying and promising "two-more weeks"...
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Hopefully the retail spaces that are supposed to be integrated alongside the greenway will help Met feel a bit more urban.
I think this will be the case. I hope so anyway.
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I think it looks more small town to start renaming things because out-of-towners don't like the current labels.
The street names are confusing, but they are part of the local lingo. I know it's more convenient to have one name per road, but each segment has its own neighborhood identity. Wendover Rd. is simply not the same place as Eastway Dr., in more than just the geographic sense. I say keep the multiple names and find a way to improve the signage so that newbies are less (justifiably) confused by the whole system. Same thing with Uptown; transplants have already caused the city to lose that term once, so that it had to be artificially revived. If you want to go downtown, move to Raleigh.
Now, I'm with you on the politician name-games. Surely there is someone better to name things after than some government crony who signed a few pieces of paper to get an interchange built. This is a problem all over North Carolina, where it seems that everyone down to the Undersecretary of Agriculture gets a bridge named after him. There really should be better oversight over who gets their name on public facilities.
I'm with you on this. Charlotte has a history of how it names roads and that's how it is here. Newcomers (even ones like me who have been here for years and are originally from the region) shouldn't dictate changes. It's just one of the things that makes Charlotte, Charlotte and I like it that way (even when I'm complaining about it
). I'm def. one of those "I don't care how you did it there" people. -
Throw a spire on it and you're above 1000'.
Rock on.
I def. hope that if they come that close to 1000', they'll put something on top to break that ceiling. I realize that's somewhat petty, but it would be a nice boost to the city's psychie to know we have a 1000'+ building.
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REI at Northlake? Where'd you hear that?
I read it in the Observer, but it's been a while so I can't provide a link. I think it was also discussed in this thread, but that would also be going back a bit. I checked REI's website to see if they had a "coming soon" section, but I couldn't find one.
The lady I asked about it in Pineville didn't hesitate when I asked though (as though it was a sure thing). She just said it will open Spring '08.
edit: Here is where it was mentioned previously in this thread. http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...st&p=676189
Since there is already a Dick's at the mall, I think it might be going to the development across the street with the Super Target (Northcrest?)Aren't they also building a shopping center or at least retail space across Harris in Perimeter Woods? I wondered if it would be over there, or at Northcrest, or an actual outparcel at the mall. I bet you are right about it not being at the mall though, with Dicks there.
). I'm def. one of those "I don't care how you did it there" people.
Charlotte's Light Rail: Lynx Blue Line
in Charlotte
Posted
I'm not really trying to disagree with anything you said. I just wanted to comment that I really think they had no idea this line would be so successful so quickly. I know the canopy lengths on the platforms themselves will eventually be expanded. Looks like in hindsight those cuts shouldn't have been made!