Urbanity

As long as I have been a member of these boards there seems to be the occasional rumbling that Northlake is in trouble or something. Yet the mall seems to continue to thrive in spite of pronouncements and worries to the contrary.

i'm not too thrilled with the ten story parking deck as the base. Perhaps there is street retail (it appears possible) but it is hard to tell. From a street level view I think I would hate it in the Arlington location.

Dumb Question - where is the entrance for the tower? I assume they have one at the back base near the parking deck/by Light Rail wall but I never gave it thought before.

Was just wondering that. It would be interesting if the existing one would be converted to apartments or condos?

As a transplant living in Charlotte, I'm thrilled to see Raleigh breaking out of the "Triangle" label. In all truth, as a NYC native - the more metro regions we have that stand out the better the state looks!

An anecdotal laugh to an earlier post. Someone from Campus JUST noticed they tore down all the buildings at the intended JW CLAY stop/parking garage. They "heard" a new H&M was going there... P.S. this is one of my co-workers who live in South Carolina, work for the state of NC, and commute everyday because they think WE are backwards....

I honestly wish Greensboro would spend less money and energy (and money) on trying to be Charlotte or Durham, or Raleigh, or WS for that matter. I get so angry with Greensboro in these forums not because of what the city is but because of what the city throws away in attempt to be a thrid rate knock off of another. I really fear for the future of Greensboro.

I wrote in the filming in Charlotte thread that I was bummed but realistic about the end of the Studio Charlotte idea for Eastland. Frankly I really, really, really wished upon a star that this would have happened as I think the effects of it would have gone far beyond economic impact for the East side. Label me Le Sad!

Just to note - I happen to be in the know of a Bobcats outreach for an Equality Night coming up later this month. I also know the NASCAR HOF is considering a LGBT outreach in some format as well. Let's give Charlotte a hand folks - our sports team recognize the power of inclusion for marketing!

^I do think it is bad and awkward. I dunno - the whole Staples space feels like retrofitted retail versus planned.

I have to admit I started crying reading these posts as I suddenly became nostalgic for At the Movies with Siskel & Ebert. That said I kind of feel like nothing "new" was shown. By "new" I meant nothing new of substance that I would bet any money on the final product looking like the depiction for those project mentioned (Carolina Theatre, First Ward Park and Levine's Apartments.) See you next time in the balcony!

I appreciate your feelings, but I thought there plan was a lot more interesting than FFTC who seemed to get it based on their connections (at least that's how I see it).

^Yeah. I admit I was a believer in them and their idea but when it's time to show your cards and you can't then it's time to find another developer. I wonder if the ARK Group is still interested.

^I would hope we never go for the model of Sales over Income tax. No model ever shown to me really does anything but hurt the poorest people of the state.

^That said it is in the most awkward of spaces as far as finding the entrance. Has anyone else gone there? Either you drive to 2/3rd level of parking deck and enter there, or from the street you enter what almost looks like more doors for Best Buy, take the escalator up to Marshall's, and then exit into the parking desk and the Staples Store is to the left..

It still is a shame about those. Most disturbing to me is CCCP talks about their struggle to build a vision and a perception about Uptown that conquers the past reputation of Charlotte being an artificial city (all tall buildings with no soul; urban office park) which was caused by urban revitalization efforts that discarded Charlotte's history and unique structures all for the opportunity to clear the way for us to build bland-it-could-be-anywhere structures and parking lots. The irony is that one way they attempt to correct this is by discarding the names of the historic 4 wards for a new urban directional wayfinder that is based on artificial North South East and West monikers that could be found anywhere and which unfortunately usually includes areas that are not in those actual geographic areas on a real map.

"We are no longer interested in the proposed site in Greensboro, and we are not interested in any other sites in Greensboro at this time.' Wow!

Even Sharon Decker is saying there is not enough vacancy to recruit! NC secretary of commerce: Lack of building product a challenge for Charlotte

I didn't realize it was already posted here. I just cross posted in Sports in Charlotte thread. Great news for the city !

CIAA commits to six more years of tournaments and moves Headquarters to Charlotte http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/03/4738312/ciaa-to-stay-in-charlotte-for.html#.UxTuQBBdV3E

In principal I agree, but I'm not so certain it's such a black and white situation. I DO NOT want the site to turn into some kind of retail mall in Uptown whatsoever - but I also don't think if it does it will destroy the chances of an retail stroll district. I do prefer though that they rehabilitate the building for other uses over tearing it down - unless it is being torn down for a ready to build project, because my biggest fear with that site to have an empty lot at that particular entrance to uptown.

^I think the largest issue is that all you need is love...

I fear my earlier post may have made you feel unwelcome - so I hope to explain. I know it's off-topic, but it is very related to the streetcar discussion in the scheme of the fight to have this built within the context of the pr battle for it. The short of it: People who happen to live in the suburbs and exurbs are part of the metro area and I think their opinion is worthy, but the board is about URBAN Planet and is devoted to those who think, breathe, and love urban life. I don't think anyone feels there is a requirement to agree with all things urban, and in fact none of us agree with everything among ourselves. There is always room for debate if something is right for the city. That said we have a higher level of agreement of frustration/contempt for those who don't live inside the urban area who try to block or derail urban developments. That contempt goes up a considerable notch for those who attempt to derail simply under the guise of politics or the label of everything in a city is "bad". I hope that explains my position.

I doubt they'll show the game on the video boards. A recap of a moment - sure. The game itself? Naw. I mean does any stadium simultaneously broadcast the game on the video board while it's in play in the stadium itself?