mshook

Do these numbers include the increased property value along South, coupled with the revitalization of a nasty neighborhood? I think sometimes people think that ridership numbers are the only measurable value of rail/transportation.

People live in unpractical places...like the beach, the entire state of Florida, the desert in Phoenix, a mountainside in Asheville or Vail, or a 22 million person populated NYC. People purchase and live in spectacles(tall buildings, mcmansions, real mansions, palaces, castles, purple houses, art houses, homes that people love b/c of their unique nature). Therefore, I don't know if your factually stated opinion has any validity or true value. You cannot argue with simple demand economics...

I hope those stop the train people and the widen the freeway people are enjoying the high gas prices...

Shouldn't we also take into account the changes in the desires/demographics of a younger generation than what we had in the 70's. A generation that A) is generally more educated, B) has higher incomes, C) isn't marrying/having children until their 30's, D) Wants/Desires to live near city's center. I would say there are a ton of "New" Charlotteans who want to live in the city center.

It would be a cheap purchase of land and already layed out....but I could only imagine how "Thirsty Thursdays" would fare if the bright, shiny new park was put in the middle of today's East Charlotte. I'm fearful that most wouldn't take the LRT down to that area. Also, the price/time table of building an LRT there would be "in the bleachers". IMO downtown still proves to be the best location since this area was allocated as a "park" anyhow....

I just came from the sales office. They are using an actual smooth form instead of plywood. Also, they are offering an upgrade of drywall on the ceilings if you choose...

I agree about "Super Nikko". It's now a night club that serves sushi. Still though, fun place to go with a group. Just not the amazing date pl that the old aceNikko was though....

Great Pic Monsoon. So, are we saying that downtown was forced to change due suburbanization and the then required car/parking space? So, do we blame these problems on that generation and those that live in suburbs and drive downtown? Does our push for more mass transit and the expectations of the suburbanites to pay for them help fix our urban problems and give us the better Downtown that Monsoon depicts? If so, bring on more rail!

Do we expect to get "value cards" or "speed passes"? A physical card that we can charge? It would be faster than a credit card but use the same technology...

This Forbes article is ridiculous when it comes to the "uptick in unemployment". I'm in the IT staffing industry and I can tell you that January was the best month we've had in a long, long time. For example we placed 45 people in Charlotte last week alone....these are high paying skilled jobs too...mostly at these banks that are touted as about to do layoffs...

Unfortunately, the free fare idea would only encourage people to ride who had no destination....people up to no good. At least with this it gives the police "something" to kick them off the train for...

All of the fun and nothing good happens after 2AM. I think the fear may be drunken violence, vandolism, lewdness, etc and the cost of the necessary increased police presence. My friends train in and cab out.

I was just on the elevator and an older business type was speaking to colleagues about his first week riding the LR from 485. He kept going on and on about how amazing it's been and how that it's changing his life b/c although the trip is more/less the same amount of time, he feels so relaxed and connected to the city when he makes it home. He was trying to convince his co-workers to ride. I'm hopeful the rest of Charlotte's Suburbs get the opportunity to try this new old way of life.

I still can't believe how many people were so upset about the Arena and the Train. The Goodwill and Image alone is worth the cost. Attracting young college grads to the city is vital for economic growth. It may sound to ridiculous some , but these highly employable people want to move here because of the Downtown, Arena, and the Train.

Lowe's being the behemoth that it is requires all vendors to have a presence near it's corporate HQ. When I worked as a Vendor for them we had to open an office in North Wilksboro. It was a room with a fax machine and a phone line. We never physically used it once. They wield their weight like Wal-Mart.

Walked past it today on the way to work....actually a hole in the ground now...looks like excavation is in full force

Harris Teeter has these carts now. I noticed them last week...

yeah different groups have different dress codes. Gateway village is casual enough to wear jeans.

Good point...After working/living in NYC, I can tell you that it stinks and people are thrilled not to have to walk in the heat, cold, rain. NYC is great, but not comfortable, convenient, or easy.

As someone who works downtown and must go from building to building throughout the day...these Overstreet walkways are a God-Send. Especially wearing a suit...it may not be -10 degrees but even 40 is really uncomfortable when you have to go from building to building for meetings throughout the day....or during the day when it's 95 degrees and your tie is stiffling as you rush to your next meeting. When it does rain..it sucks being soaked while waiting for the cross walk...in a suit. These two banks built and practically own your downtown...it makes proper Business sense to have them. I live and work Downtown so I have a day to day use of them...i'm not commuting in from Rock Hill or Concord...so I have a vested interest in our street scape.