Andyc545

I wish all of these thousands of new apartments would have had equivalent amount of retail and restaurant spaces opening at ground level. It seems like almost all of the apartments cut out or have very limiting space for retail space (10k sq ft seems to be a magical number). I love the design of Ashton and although its size is mammoth for its location I think it will fit in much better in a few years once there is more density and height. Still disappointed it cut its retail space. Millennium we will have to see but they are moving quickly, as last time they only had the steel up for the deck. Circle is a lot better than the original site plans. I think its scale works well, also, although it will be interesting to see how much street presence it plays and how well those "park alleys" work and how the gaps play with pedestrian activity along S. Blvd. It's likely the picture, but in the LYNX side where the townhomes (?) are for Circle seem to be really close to the LYNX and station. This isn't really a bad thing, just an observation- and I think this is the first project to be right at the footsteps of a LYNX station. As long as its not close enough to disrupt any pedestrian activity around the stations, I look forward to seeing more developments act directly with LYNX and its stations. It's going to add another perspective when traveling LYNX through S. End.

Good to hear about the vote. Is the lighting still on vote or was that already voted down with the whole "too disrupting for condo owners" deal a few weeks ago? I really hope that is brought up again.

This is where it gets fun to watch, Mo. They are moving much quicker than I expected on it, I guess just because it took so long to get started in the first place.

I read this article today and thought many on here may be interested in it. PRT: Personal Rapid Transit is essentially a transit system that gives the individuality of a vehicle when inside, also is computer guided and not self driven. This concept- although many would critique it as being futuristic, would solve a lot of problems: energy/gasoline, accidents, insurance, would give jobs in research and construction, etc. I guess it's something that could be pondered upon whether anyone thinks this could be something that could intelligently be implemented in parts of the Charlotte metro and compliment the light rail, bus system, and future 2030 lines. I don't know how logical and obtainable it would be to make a rediculously huge system, but I think it could be something of interest to connect areas off of future transit lines to further connect areas and could be really beneficial to areas around the colleges and other areas of interest. Something to ponder on and interesting when trying to connect a use for these implemented here in Charlotte. http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/13/podcar.city.ap/index.html

The gains? Let's be fair here. It's only been one month that it declined, 2 months ago it was at an all time high shy of our 2025 projects. Last month it declined by a few hundred but are still over 17000 riders per day. There is no proof of it stopping. At the same time, even if it has maxed for the next year or two, look at how high these numbers are! The point is that projections are nearly doubled the expected.

What if they moved the Panther's training fields to the Beazer site, put in additional stands for audiences and possibly let a school use it also (not a full blown out stadium, a simpler training facility maybe even lighted, just a simple upgrade from the current one so it can get more use), sold off any remaining land or find an additional use for it like other sports fields (basketball, soccer) then moved the Baseball stadium to the current Panthers training site. It is closer and in a more connected area serving the business side of 3rd Ward and the residential low rise sides, is in walking distance to everything in uptown, wouldn't disrupt any connectivity as far as streets since this area is already blocking a lot of the street grid due to its current use and with the train tracks, and could possibly provoke the area to connect a few of the streets and pedestrian ways around the tracks and give some upgrades. There is train noise but that wouldn't be a concern with regards to a baseball stadium, and the property would still have great views. I'm not sure how residents would feel about a baseball stadium being right there, but at least it would only be AAA team and would be somewhat limited use. I'm looking at the site and it does appear smaller than the two current blocks it's expected on, but maybe it could work size-wise, I'm not sure. There would be another land swap, but it would be between a private sports team and land that is also privately owned. If only those train tracks weren't in the way...

Bah- I don't think that justifies the use of a Skybridge, even though these are private developmenys. It would seem that since these streets have almost no traffic (right now College St at Millenium is just a construction site and the Camden portion of College St is only used for people parking in their parking garage, which is resident and guest only), there would be no need for it. The distance is very short between the two buildings and it has sidewalks, lighting, and seems pretty effortless and safe to walk. However, I don't know what is in the distant plans right now, but I do remember that part of the Ghazi property near the strip joint there was going to be College St changes due to those parcels. I don't know if Ghazi is willing to start another urban project in the near future (I'd imagine he is feared off from 210 Trade) or if there's anyone else interested in the land (there's a topic for this and it hasn't been discussed in forever), but if the city(?) did go ahead and make the road improvements, it may add some additional traffic onto this portion of College St. (the currently disconnected portion) although I don't think very much traffic would be endured anyhow. Why else would there be a demand to spend money on a skybridge anyway? You could spit across this portion of College St. right now. I made a quick Google map outlying what I'm describing. S End Google Map

I did say with improvements. Obviously right now it's a scary area to venture to. It does benefit by having direct connection with S. End, again with some improvements. Specifically meaning lighting, pedestrian walkways, and improvements to the street. It at least has the benefit of being close to uptown. If they can come with a solution to connecting S. End and Uptown, which is what's being tried upon now, then I think there may be a solution to the connectivity to this site, as well. After all, the main deterrent is 277 after all.

I'd have to agree. This site seems perfect. It can accommodate traffic via the freeways well, and with some improvements, it can be just as connected for pedestrians in uptown and S. End. It would have superb views and due to the vast amounts of land, like Atlvr said, it could even be built with adequate space to make it expandable, so some day down the road it can accommodate whatever the future holds. Also, it wouldn't break up any of the street grid that seems to be diminishing in uptown, and honestly, the site has a lot of potential, it's like a blank canvas. However, planning on here now would push back a completion date even further back, and with inflation, a stadium here would solve one problem (getting away from Reese) but create another problem (even more $).

I guess the bigger picture what I was trying to get at is what would happen to the Baseball park land then? Wasn't that park land? Would the land that the baseball sits on stay to the city? CMS? Or could it be sold to a private developer? It just seems that the land had its purpose and someone came to dispute what was being built on it. Now its going to sit an empty lot.

So if this stadium were deemed "done for", what would this mean for the 3rd Ward Park? Wasn't the park placed where it is due to the land swap? They've already spent so much time with Land Design drawing up the designs and getting ready to even start construction soon. For Reese killing one project, it is going to have its domino effect on many more... How sad that someone can get away with something like that and not be forced to pay for it.

Were there any outcomes or news releases with the interstate lights issue in the recent times? Last night literally every light but maybe 2 were out on 277, then going north on I77 I don't recall seeing ANY lights on. And it was later at night too, probably around midnight.

You are being generous.

So these aren't great pictures, but I was going through old photos and came across these from the 4th of July in Uptown in 2005, you know, before the riots and gangs took over... I also admittedly knew nothing about photography at the time hence why they are so blurry at night. I think they at least capture the mood...

Yeah- fortunately this is at least one committed project that we can have fun watching through these depressing times. They seem to be quite optimistic that by the time this tower is completed, 2010, that the market will have gone through the worst and we will begin seeing prosperity around this time once again, leaving a lot of people looking for condos and homes. Hope it happens. Hopefully that will jump kick another wave of condo outlookers. And hopefully we see a large company to come and fill Wachovia's shoes.

I wonder if any games will be brought in HD or at least use decent cameras and broadcasting so the games don't look like they were shot in 1985. I said this last year, but while flicking between two NBA games last year, I chose an irrelevant game that I had no interest in just because the picture was pleasant and the Bobcats game brought me back to visuals that appear from an antenna TV on my brand new HDTV.

And they should counter-sue him for the difference in the inflation in price and loss of ballpark income for a year. I still am hearing 2010, not 2011, which should be capable of hitting as long as the Reese lawsuits stop soon.

What a shot uptownliving!!! I've always been fond of the view from the CPCC campus, especially their library. It has the expansive view of uptown. Initial, have fun at Oktoberfest. I was really looking forward to it but then work wouldn't give me off . Trade work for beer, cmon now.

abtown- I think most of us feel that way, which coincides with the city council coming up with excuses. I thought that decisions were suppose to be made in the public's interest and not individuals on the panel. It's unfortunate that the city would dismiss a lighting scheme that could really be a fun experience of being in the city and watching it on the TV, but then accepting and allowing crap developments to occur that don't follow certain guidelines in urban neighborhoods. nonilogic- indeed. That was one of the best concerts I've seen in a while. It turned out to be quite a fun filled night. I still find it hard to believe that the concert was free. Thanks T-Mobile.

As of the end of last week, there were 823 PSL's at request, averaging a little more than 3 per person. The goal needed for Dubois' full support is 5,000 in 6 months. No money is taken until, and if, the Board of Trustees votes on its approval. After approval, the 5,000 PSL's will be given out which equates to $5 million towards the 45ish million dollar expandable stadium.

August ridership numbers are now available: LYNX ridership went down slightly from July although it's still substantial: 16377 is the daily ridership Overall CATs Ridership is up from July: 2.335 million Saturday and Sunday ridership is up: Sat was at 15,838 which is huge, although I think a lot of that comes from the ECU/VT game that flooded uptown streets, from 10,994 in July It's expected that last Sunday for the Obama Speech that there exceeded 11,000 riders, which is not as much as I'd expect for a 30,000 person crowd for Obama's speech, considering you have to account much of the 11,000 riders were typical Sunday riders (about 5,000). Football season has begun so I'd expect Sunday ridership will begin to surge like it did last year. We should see this begin to reflect in the September ridership numbers. So does anyone think we'll be able to hit the 2025 numbers before year end, 18,100 riders? I'm skeptical that it will be reached, because that is looking for another 2000 riders a day in just a few months without any major events that would exceed the typical that took place so far while LYNX has been operating. I believe next year we could see this hit personally, once TOD's begin to have pedestrians frequenting the line. Also a slice of riders will be reflected depending what happens with gas prices.

I find it ironic and humorous that the potential condo owners that would be complaining by lights coming from an NBA arena once in a while would be the same condo owners that would not be concerned with events such as the Offspring concert next to Dixies Tavern on Sat night... which I will say was bright with more lights, more effects, and a lot more noise than that would be taking place at the arena. Somehow I think that we are hearing excuses...

It would seem like a practical idea to build the deck the way they did and that Atlvr described as being temporary for the site to support a tower instead. That could explain why they aren't permanently selling off spaces for the Catalyst residents, also...

Bah- that bothers me. Isn't one of the features, experiences, and do I dare say this but "more costly" views of having all of the lights, color, etc. of uptown to look at/be in/experience?! Having bright lights on top, which would mainly be for the games and large events that receive television coverage (to highlight the arena on tv) would be minimal, and lights shut off typically at midnight anyhow when most sleep. It's going to be right next to the lights and neon of EpiCentre anyway. C'mon, if they're gonna come up with excuses, then they're going to have to do better than that. Seems rediculous to me.

I was happy with the decision and conclusion of this. It doesn't affect anyone against football for the time being and the University is continued to be supported for its other qualities and future EPIC and research centers, but it allows to see how much support ($$) is willing to go ahead with the plan. Sounds like a wonderful compromise and helps to even allocate funds. It so far seems there are a lot of willing bidders to buy seat licenses for $1000 dollars. Link to the official release by Chancellor Dubois