Urbanity

No - I meant the winning team *ducks*

I'm going to disagree slightly that Center City needs that chicken/egg approach for development - at least in regards to the stadium. If we didn't already have the TWC arena with Checkers and concerts, BoA Stadium with Panthers and general Uptown nightlife (particularly with Epicentre), and the cultural campus with new museums that is already attracting the large numbers I could appreciate your assumption a bit more. I'm not really disagreeing that this won't beget buzz/development so much as quibbling that that developers are actually waiting on the attendance of minor ballpark games.

Washington DC economist notes Charlotte should be a strong growth economy on par with Raleigh and Austin over next few years. Predicts Mecklenburg county will be 1.3m people by 2040. Other positive is that there is evidence that city has been diversifying its economy (this last one makes me particularly happy). Negative is still higher unemployment than many other places. Just speculating, but I would assume that may be partly a result of attracting large influx of people from other cities who are seeking jobs . Source: Observer

It's amazing how that once section of North Davidson has taken off. In addition to Amelie's and the Breweries you have the CAST theatre, and the LGBT Community Center of Charlotte.

^ I would love to know if that apt project was still a go as well as THAT will do a lot for feelings of walking that strip.

Hot Damn! Question for people who know Memorial Stadium. surrounding buildings/lots, and MLS requirements: Is there room/ability to expand Memorial stadium to eventually fit MLS or would it be a tear down and rebuild?

I think we are a few times the fool already in regards to this...

^Sorry - To clarify that wasn't a dig about South End so much that South End isn't an island unto itself and even in one of the most "dense" areas of the city one needs a car.

Observer has a good run down The majority of the people of the pre-sold (60% of the building sales with about the majority of the rest unsold ) were able to get out of their contracts thanks to a April, 2011 lawsuit judgement where the VUE could not force people to stay in their contracts (but could keep their deposit). As for that small number who may have purchased outright? I'm sure they were able to get some refund when the building went rental. Edit - Reread the article and one couple even had successfully won their deposit back so my guess is that the VUE had to work out deals with all existing owners (whoever that few number were)

Obviously any list that places L.A. having more Density than NY, SF, Portland or Chicago is a bit of a laugh to begin with. That it lists L.A. as the most dense city in the nation is , well, it's That said I have no problems with saying Charlotte lacks real density outside of the CBD and small pockets. Hell - it was this board that argued you need a car to live in South End...

I guess I'm kinda on the outside of this. Me no likely. BTW I agree it's going to do well in Spring to early fall, but the rest of the year? I'm just quibbling btw and I'm thrilled for any retail, but I'm not really feeling the love (nor hate) for this one.

CBJ article today mainly about BLE has some general info re: streetcar (Mainly in last five paragraphs ). Seems the old fight about pursuing it (expansion/build out) or not still exists within city council including new members.

A little more details in CBJ article about time line Muth said construction will be segmented, with 30 percent to 40 percent of the 9.3-mile route from uptown to Old Concord Road to begin in March. The last two segments, from Old Concord to University City and University City to the UNCC campus, will follow soon after. Some of the public utility work on the first segment started last summer in uptown.

Oh puhlease. Give me Dunkin and call it a day!

^Having seen this in person I think the building already gives off a sense of massive going by length (not height) and am actually thrilled with it's height particularly since it is next to the park. I think over the current height might have overwhelmed the park a bit (again, considering the sense of length/width of building)

Rode past it on Sunday and it appeared to be topped out. I also got to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE the density it brought there.

You are correct: From Charmeck CityLYNX Gold Line page: for the CityLYNX Gold Line - Phase 1, previously called the “Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project,” began in December 2012. Once completed in early 2015, it will run 1.5 miles along Trade Street -- from Time Warner Cable Arena to Presbyterian Hospital. Perhaps uptownliving just meant construction/street work on that segment will be done by this June

I agree it looks more like an office building than a hotel, but I don't agree it looks nothing like Dilworth. It looks a lot like commercial buildings I seen in Dilworth.

Agreed - though my expectations are very low until it is built.

I've said it before - the cap is the lower if not lowest of my desires for Charlotte development. I have no issue with a cap being built but the way state transportation dollars flow (and I do believe we would need them even partly for a cap) I would rather fed/state/city transport money going to gateway station, Independence, widening 77 and mass transit rail before a dime of that limited pool of money was spent on the cap.

Dude looks like a lady...

^I personally don't think Uptown needs a circulator. It already has an (almost) North to South Light Rail with 3 (and counting) stops plus the soon to open (and then expand) streetcar East to West Streetcar. Frankly Inside the 277 loop is not that big. Edit: That said if the city decides to keep the Gold Rush going maybe along the 2020 Center City envisioned urban loop park at Center City Partners cost I have no issue.

One clarification response - The DNC's 2012 convention tried out a different approach to funding and prevented Corporation funding thus it was called "The People's Convention". I bring this up as it wasn't a matter of Charlotte not being able to get corporate sponsorship or interest so much as being prevented from utilizing it. Charlotte organizers were not thrilled by that and had to cancel several proposed events as a result. There was also a limit on the size of individual's donation. It is one of the main reason's that Duke's line of credit was never going to be fully repaid. From the above linked article the following was banned.: * A ban on “monetary contributions from any incorporated, for-profit entity.” * A ban on “monetary contributions in excess of $100,000 from any individual.” * A ban on in-kind contributions from any “corporate entities that received TARP or other bail-out funds” unless they have been repaid. * A ban on “monetary or in-kind contributions from individuals registered as federal lobbyists.” * A ban on “any contribution whatsoever from any individual who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a legal, permanent resident.”

So I was wasting time at work and just looking at the list of cities and I think the South (at least Southeast) in general will be avoided since BOTH 2012 conventions were in the South consequently I ruled them out (though I did consider leaving Nawlins in as a dark horse to be a symbol of being brave in light of Katrina/Bush fiasco - sort of the RNC pulling a PR "our convention is the economic boon to your city so you will forgive us; or screw you we're not afraid of your hatred of us" Atlanta Charlotte Miami Nashville New Orleans Orlando I ruled out most of the major blue cities as I think the RNC in 2016 is going to go harder right than ever (just a feeling) and they will do that symbolicly by staying away from DEM havens (at least Dem states). Once again I toyed with a dark horse, this time Chicago as saying "we're coming for the heart of Obama country. I also toyed with Detroit as A Regan 1980's symbolic gesture and a chance to mock the Dems who will be easy targets in this city. I left Denver for reasons cited below. Chicago Detroit Los Angeles New York City Philadelphia Seattle I ruled out Former Presidents (Bush) and Former President Candidates (Romney and McCain) most aligned states as I think the RNC of 2016 will not want the connection. Houston Salt Lake City San Antonio Dallas Phoenix I finally ruled out the city that is bad PR in itself for an image of a National Party's convention (think Late night monologues). Las Vegas What is left is the cities I think that have a chance to a degree. I ranked them in no particular order. The ones in bold are the more likely in my mind as far as logistics, city's ability to host or PR value. Indianapolis Kansas City Oklahoma City San Diego (debated removing but if they want the west/southwest this could help) Cleveland Cincinnati Columbus, Ohio St. Louis Denver ( I think this could have been ruled out above in my first round, but I think from Ohio to the Rockies is where the RNC is going to focus) Obviously this was all done for fun and the fact that my brain thinks like this (whatever that means) and I'm likely to be completely wrong.

I think the intermodal yard is one of the sexiest un-sexy milestones in Charlotte's history. I really believe this is going to propel the city even further ahead as far as manufacturing and logistical hubs than can be imagined.