InSouthPark

Did anyone really care about the neighborhoods? I always went for the stores, not watching the TV's in the sports neighborhood. This is essentially an outlet mall...I don't really think the average shopper there is going to be nit picking on the 10 year old paint job. It is a destination because of the large amount of discount shopping one can do in a very small area. Everytime I have been there, there is never a lack of customers. Sure there is store turnover...same as every mall in america.

Well if that system is indeed online, does that APC handle mass amounts of people at one stop? After a Panthers/Bobcats/Checkers game, people all get on one station in mass herds. Can these systems correctly count people cramming in like that at one station? I ride the train when going uptown for any big event (hate parking in a deck for an event) and I never ever get a seat when I get on at Sharon Rd West. The train is always standing room only (normally squished). For CMS graduation, I couldn't even get on one train as it was completely full as it left 485. Heck, when I take my daughter to a kiddie concert at imagion, after the show the trains are standing room only as it leaves 7th. I just see the complete opposite when there is an event uptown...the trains are always packed.

How would they know about big event ridership? Not once when I have been on train for a large event have I ever seen a Cats official on the train. Fan Fest for example. The trains were squished full. Not Cats employees around. Sunday morning at 10am...you see someone counting.

But isn't it true that building anything on this location would increase traffic in that area? If you build offices, people will drive there. If you build houses, people will drive there. If you build shopping, people will drive there. If you build anything worth while, people will drive there. Even in downtown, our "urban center", almost everything we build increase traffic uptown.

They haven't actually "kicked out" the bikers, more like slapped them in the face with the parking charge. The trails are maintained by a volunteer bike club (Tarheel Trailblazers) but the whitewater park profits from their work by charging for parking. Even members of the trailblazers now have to pay to park (or get the season parking). I agree that these people probably have never run an "attraction". Seems to me they are doing everything in thier power to reduce the number of people that access the site, not increase it.

Absolutely agree with the weekend prices...They are out of control. I have said so many times, this place needs to rely on repeat business. I went last year and had a great time...for $39/pp. I don't see the value for myself for $65. Maybe a special occassion like my birthday or something, but not a "hey lets go to the whitewater park for the day" anymore. It will be real interesting to see the numbers next year. My guess is they double thier loses from last year and it all started with pissing off the bikers and begin charging for parking. Higher prices doesn't always equal more money.

Not sure what you mean by ignoring the corner of Sharon/Colony. The B&N is smack on the corner of Sharon and Colony.

^^ I don't think they ever mislead anyone for the Olympic Trials being free. Tickets have been on sale for quite a while. This is the Olympic Trials, not some local or regional event. And if you look at ticket prices, $15 for a 3 day pass, that is nothing. I am sure this is to control the crowds to make for an enjoyable event for the many families of the athletes. I doubt there are too many Olympic Trial events that are free to the public, especially ones that are held in a controlled venue.

The "paid to party" blogger from the Charlotte Observer has posted details/renderings of the Strike City lanes. Among the details: 30 lanes on two levels Billiard Tables Full Service bars Dance Floor "private" bowling alleys 70' long wall of TV's Sports ticker I think this will be a huge hit when it opens this fall. People are always looking for something "different" to do and this will certainly fit the bill uptown. Park Road lanes this will not be! http://obsent.blogspot.com/