Andyc545

I haven't ever seen that bus at CIC (I work there), not to say that it isn't and I've just failed to see it. It didn't have one of those electric message boards on the front that says "CIC / Uptown" or whatever, leading me to believe it's not oriented with CAT's, unless if it is something new and they are just testing it uptown.

That pretty much describes these Wachovia busses. I wonder if Wachovia is leasing them out from CAT's for promotional opportunities or I wonder if maybe CAT's is trying out advertisements on a select few of their busses to increase revenue in caution of the 1/2 cent tax being turned down.

Lol, that is the funniest thing, because I was driving through downtown like 3 hours ago, and I'm driving towards what looks to be some alien bus vehicle, I get closer and I thought it was a new CAT's bus that was electric or hybrid, then I see the wachovia logo across the side. I thought, I never have seen that bus. I asked my girlfriend if she had seen it and described it to her. It must be brand new. I was kind of leaning towards it being a shuttle bus for Wachovia employees, because I noticed BofA had some shuttle busses for parking for BofA employees. I do like that it's truly a "green" vehicle, from it's looks. I'm really glad to see that in the streets of Charlotte, I hope to learn more about this as what it's doing for Wachovia and what the heck this vehicle is and is it a look at the future of bus transportation, maybe for CATs. Thanks for posting that, I thought I was the only one.

I think I saw the same thing as you did today. Not on the courtyard, but the closest structure of Epicenter at the Ritz where it faces out to the courtyard, I noticed them applying some interesting details to the structure. They were painting the steel, and then using what you said, a sandstone type of material as accent pieces. Wish I had a camera, looked really cool.

Has there been any plans or talks or thoughts of how this project may interact with the North Line Rail, if at all? Just thinking about those 2 projects

I have another update under this topic as reguarding to Seigle Point. As of right now, there are 11 townhomes available left of the 56 or so that were being developed. That is mighty fine, considering they aren't even built yet. That's roughly an 80 percent sales rate before the base structure is even started. And while on that note, construction update: the site is completely cleared and it looks like anyday cement will begin being poured for the footings to the first townhomes.

I hadn't been on their website until, looks like they are still waiting on a rendering for TWELVE, the hotel, but looking at the other 2 (Atlanta, Centenial), those designs are beautiful!! There is a rendering for the Catalyst building, I actually enjoy that name very much. The design is hard to tell by the rendering, but it kind of reminds me of Avenue, except almost looks to have a gothic influence to it. Hmm...

Is there any word of any discussion or outcomes? Where did you hear this from?

The only problem I see with it tolled is, 1) they would have to do some advancements with a median to keep it seperate from the non tolled road so ppl don't sneak over the line and back to avoid paying, 2) the only time the HOV lane would be used then in terms of ppl paying for it is peak times- morning and evening commute. All other times, no one would pay to use it. I do agree it needs to be extended Southern 77, the way it stops at the north end of the city kind of defeats the purpose of getting ppl past the city traffic and to there destination, which for a lot is travelers heading south of the city, aka Florida, S.Carolina, etc.

What I mean is using the lane for CAT's carpool and CATs busses, in addition to carpoolers. If CAT's busses used those lanes, it would lead to an increase in bus users from ballantyne, say if there were a park and ride and the bus made a route to the 485 station. In no traffic, commuters from se charlotte could avoid the traffic hell on 485, get to the se station and hop on board the train, it would only be a 10 minute drive in no traffic by bus... They would have the potential to get downtown from Ballantyne in just a little over 30 minutes in morning and evening rush hour traffic. The funds part for CAT's comes in, with an increase number of users paying for the bus fair, then the use of the train. The cost for the HOV lane would come out of that fund. Of course commuters could avoid CAT's busses and use the lane too, which would promote carpooling... hopefully a lot of those carpoolers would take it to the 485 station, take the train north.

I'm glad to see some technologoical advancements on this project since it will be a tourist destination for many. LED's are a very, very interesting concept, and a lot has been researched with them over the last few yrs so I hope they take advantage of some of these effects. Fountains are great for the kids too. They have them up at North Lake Mall, and there was a lot of activity in and around them on the hot days. Very, very awesome.

How about alternative transportation... An HOV lane could be dedicated to that... Don't have to pay a toll, but could be funded by the HOV fund, and allow CAT's to have an increasing income that could be used for some of the projects that they are trying to get from local/state/fed, in return, the local/state/fed money can be used to help grow the LRT faster with CAT's income.... Less of a need for personal transportation.

Yes, it's great and all... but the city has to keep up. Roads are outdated to figures from 5 years ago and the only alternative transportation is CATs buses, which are overcrowded as is. I do love the population growth too! The city has to meet the demand though. As far as the toll concept... I wouldn't think it would be the best idea on a looped road. Something on 85 or 77 would be different. On a loop, you would have to put tolls on each exit, that would be a major project and really, 485 doesn't give shortcuts from any direction to getting downtown really. People would just take Providence from the east, n tryon from the north, etc, which are more direct roads anyhow. I still think an HOV lane is best, clears up congestion for those that are most concerned, and contributes an increased revenue for CATs, and promotes the south end train...

I think that comment is rather discusting, actually. Ballantyne is the richest area, aside from downtown. It's supply and demand, and there are a lot of rich ppl that live here in Charlotte that don't want to be downtown. I don't think its justifyable to blame it on the businesses and ppl. If that was said, than you could say that about all of Charlotte. Charlotte is a developmental paradise, Ballantyne is the same....

That sites been up for at least a month . I do love that video fly-through though, surely is amazing.

I had an idea / possible soln that I got from the other post well researching Calgary's Transit. It's just a beginning idea, I don't know the technicality's with CAT's busses going on 485, but here it is... Why not use that additional lane on 485 as an HOV in that area. This would promote carpooling and give an area for buss's for the morning commute. Put a park and ride in Ballantyne somewhere and may be on Providence and have bus's that would take 485 HOV to the 485 Blue Lynx Line Station. From there, commuters could utilize the Lynx Blue Rail. This would promote healthy use of the LRT and allow commuters to only have to drive or walk to Park and Rides. The HOV lane would help move traffic on 485, while promoting carpooling and transit during rush hours. I could see a lot of ppl choosing these alternatives after seeing the interviews on the news with ppl stuck in that traffic. Plus we'd get good use out of the LRT. Just an idea, maybe a sol'n. What do you guys think? Edit: Oh yeah, and that means CAT's revenue too!

WCNC posted an article and video on a follow-up to yesterdays meeting. Here's the line... http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/storie...g.1d6fb249.html . It is actually quite sickening that they admittably don't have a good sol'n. And by the time they even extend an add'l lane both ways, it won't even be done for 2 yrs after they start in a few years, and by then it would be outdated again! They said they don't have the funding for more than one lane each yr. Does anyone know if the reason why they won't begin this project for a few yrs b/c they want to complete the loop on the north first? Or is it just going to take much time to prepare for the project? One other comment regarding this issue. The South LRT is great. However, by having this, it's going to keep the same ppl on this stretch of 485. Yes it will clear up South Blvd. But yuck, during rush hour, imagine all of the ppl flooding from the 485 station onto 485. I guess theoretically it will be the same amt of ppl that serve 485 now, but it looks like this 485 project is going to still be an issue, and once it is increased to 3 lanes, I think there are going to be many unhappy folks, wanting it bigger.

Mallard Creek Church Rd / University is the site of the second one. I drove by it this week, the steel structure is actually going up.

That meeting is actually coming up tomorrow, according to the Charlotte Observer. It will be open to the public. Here is the link for more info... http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/164272.html

I think I am the first to post this... I saw it on the WCNC WS which directed me to the O. It's just a little clip on Sugar Creek and the greenway... http://www.charlotteobserver.com/images/video/sugarcreek/

I drove by the site today also and saw the sign and dozers. I had my camera to shoot actually a few photos of the train (which weren't running today or yesterday) but didn't get a good enough chance to snap b/c of the rain. Better attempt than myself, props to ya.

I completely agree with your statements about the double names in the area. I can personally say that I have had out-of-town drivers ask me for directions and its hard to navigate them without giving landmarks. Also when I worked for OnStar we had this problem, rarely, but still... On the other hand the uptown to downtown, I don't think it's a good decision. Number 1, it's unneccessary; number 2, it is something unique to the city (I remember moving here and hearing that phrase, I thought it was interesting at the beginning, but have grown to actually like it); number 3, there are a lot of signs, literature, etc. that says 'Uptown', I would think it would be a waste of the taxpayers money (or whoever would pay) to have this all changed. -Andrew

I think whats best is what was said, nothing is final until its there... so far the best speculation is that there is soil testing. All that this signifies is that there may be interest in that land and before any negotiations are made, lets see if the land is even suitable for a certain structure. You can't let the carriage pull the horse, now. I believe this will happen, too, but I don't even think its to the stage of having a rendering. The body somewhat depends on the space given... again that is what is being tested. Of course, again, I could be totally wrong

Hello everyone, I am new here. Anyway... 1) There is a Trader Joes that has just opened up at the University area in the Grand Prominade, I believe it is now open. 2) Maybe I over-read it, but does anyone know anymore information about the Condo tower being built in with the Midtown Redevelopment, more particularly prices? Thanks -Andrew