charlottegirl

Thought this was interesting. The article specifically mentions Charlotte as an eligible city. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/smart-cities-challenge-transportation-prize_56660184e4b08e945ff09aaf

This is a little article about some new retail in Charlotte. Specifically it mentions CLTCH opening in the former Hall's Clock (which I didn't realize was closed?) While I love the PM bars and restaurants, it is nice to see some retail opening too. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/fashion/article24773791.html

Not sure where to put this but it is a cool article from Food & Wine on eating in Charlotte. http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/2015/04/14/where-master-sommelier-eats-and-drinks-charlotte-north-carolina

It thought it was going at Central and Eastway or is this a different drugstore. http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Rezoning/2012/099-105/2012-102%20site%20plan%20rev.pdf

So it looks like Reflections Studios is selling everything on Craig's List because it is closing. I assume this is to make way for the new apartments. Sad to see this business go after 45 years. I'm not sure how I feel about this "progress" . I hope these apartments can hold up as well as the building that they will be replacing.

I guess that would include tearing down Reflection Studio. I know its been around forever and would be sad to see it go. (REM recorded their first 2 albums there.) Also - agreed that no street level retail would be terrible and hope we don't overdo it with the "apartment boom".

This article seems to contain inaccuracies that are refuted in the comments section regarding the reason why the fence is up. It seems that it is more of an attempt to force the business out - but as Hatcher hasn't commented yet - perhaps we don't have all the facts. Anyway - also in the comments section is mention of apartment that are slated for the corner where the church is now. I know that the apartments both on Clement and on Clement & Central have been discussed here, but does anyone know about these at Central and Hawthorne? I am a little concerned about the number of apartment that are proposed.

I noticed that work has begun on the old Little Italy location. Does anyone know what is going on with this space? It looks like there is a cool old building under that "rustic" facade but it seems that a demolition permit has been issued for the building.

I noticed that this place is open already. Has anyone had the chance to check it out yet?

My understanding it that the neighborhood wasn't the issue. Merry Oaks wanted the site developed. It is the city that has the connectivity policy. Tuscan didn't want to spend the extra money to connect the site to the neighborhood. There is a pretty significant ditch between the site and the neighborhood which would be costly to cross. I believe they even proposed just pedestrian crossing because it would be less costly. As you mentioned, the roads going into Merry Oaks don't really go anywhere. However, Arnold Drive is a pretty heavily used cut-through from Central to Eastway. There are several other streets that lead into the neighborhood as well.

It's a bar/ restaurant.

Just noticed today that Whisky Warehouse has replaced Creation. Has anyone had the chance to check it out?

I agree that Jack's current location is great and they don't have any real reason to move, however, I am concerned that the property on Pecan will just sit and deteriorate now that the redevelopment plans for 7th Street are on hold.

Went to Central Coffee this morning. The inside was nice and the coffee was good. There's a nice sitting area in the back with a gas fireplace. It could use some art work on the walls and a little music but I'm sure those things will come. They do have free wi-fi which I love. The owner has chipped away at some of the plaster leaving a great wall of the exposed original brick. Overall, it was a nice place and I'm glad we have a local coffee shop in the neighborhood.

I noticed that the Lotus Store in the corner of Central and Pecan has closed which means that building is now completely empty. I heard a rumor a while back that a restaurant/ bar was going to open in the upstairs. Has anyone heard any more about this? It's a great location and a cool old building. I would love to see something great anchor this corner. Also, I read the article in the Business journal about the closing of Little Italy. I hope this site doesn't sit empty for too long.

I am a Merry Oaks residents and I can tell you that we feel we have plenty of connectivity to Central Ave. There are 3 roads that connect the neighborhood to Central; Merry Oaks, Cosby and Arnold. Arnold connects Central to Eastway. I understand that the City wants connectivity but because they were so short-sighted on this particular issue they lost out on a great development opportunity. Tuscan not only owns the big vacant lot but they were also in discussions with the run down apartments next door. Eventually they planned on redeveloping those as well.

That's wonderful news about the City Council meeting. I have inlaws on Woodland that have been trying for months to do something about those hotels and the undesirable foot traffic that comes from them. (Mostly the ladies that work the neighborhood). Will definitely plan on attending the meeting.

It's been a long time since anyone has posted here. I noticed today that construction, or maybe just grading has begun at the Vyne on the corner of Briar Creek and Central. I guess they never found a buyer for the white house. Does anyone know what the status is for the Tuscan Property across the street, Duo?

I have a question, and this may be the wrong forum to ask it, but I am curious as to why Plaza-Midwood and Central Ave. streetcar has been pushed back for a decade, at least, in favor of building a light rail to North Charlotte. I was under the impression that a lot of the development along Central Ave. was, in part, encouraged by the proposed streetcar. Central Ave. has the highest bus ridership in the city and its population, as well as the property values, would be well served by this type of transit. Central Ave. all the way to Eastland is in need of redevelopment. This line will be the last, after Beatties Ford and Elizabeth. I just wondered if there were any thoughts as to why this particular line is the very lowest in priority for the city.

I heard a rumor that Thomas' Streets lease was up soon and that they would be closing and putting condos there. Has anyone else heard this awful rumor. Please say it ain't so.