midtownclt

Uptown lit up all red last night... and downtown (South End) rising. (Sorry for the poor quality)

Everyone check out the sinkhole on 6th Street at Settlers Place between Church St. and Pine St. in Fourth Ward. Will have to get a pic in the daylight hours.

last night...

"Centene settlement with South Carolina raises total payout to $964.8M" "The pact is the latest in a string of settlements since 2021 that Centene has reached with at least 18 state governments totaling $964.8 million. In a June 2021 regulatory filing, Centene said it had set aside $1.1 billion in reserve related to allegations in several states regarding its pharmacy benefit management practices." from the Charlotte Business Journal

I guess Congressman Chuck Edwards (or his staff that wrote the press release) doesn't know or remember that I-85 passes through Cleveland County for about 8 miles (including the Casino at Exit 5). Having a second interstate that runs through the entire county is good news, however.

I am very excited about this hotel for uptown and for the N. Tryon area. I really hope to see the start of construction soon.

From the TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL FEB 2023 about the 400H tower in downtown Raleigh New Raleigh tower searches for tenants as completion nears Downtown Raleigh's newest high-rise is on track to open this year but has yet to sign a single office or retail tenant. AND ... The big Triangle projects to watch as economy teeters As the macroeconomic picture shifts and access to capital dries up, companies will be re-evaluating their strategies for shiny new towers and major expansions. I can't access the article in the Triangle Business Journal but I wonder about the impact on all the proposed projects in Raleigh and maybe some in Charlotte as well.

NCPA February 10, 2023 California announced a massive $215 million settlement with Centene less than a week after the announcement that Indiana reached a $66.5 million settlement with Centene for overcharges to the state Medicaid program. Here’s the tally so far: in December, Oregon reached a $17 million settlement with Centene for overcharges to the state Medicaid program, and Iowa agreed to a $44 million settlement agreement. Those settlements followed announcements of Centene’s settlements with Texas ($165.6 million), Massachusetts ($14 million), and Washington state ($33.3 million). Over the past two years, Centene entered similar settlements (made public so far) with 14 states, including Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Additionally, it has been reported that a total of 17 states, totaling $939 million, have reached settlements. In 2021, it was announced that Centene had put aside $1.25 billion for settlements with states.

Building permits posted on door of Amelie's. A peek inside and it appears major renovation taking place.

NCPA December 15, 2022 Oregon and Iowa became the latest states to enter into a settlement agreement with Centene for overcharges to the state Medicaid program, reaching a $17 million settlement agreement and a $44 million settlement agreement respectively (Oregon settlement news and Iowa settlement news). This comes on the heels of the company's recent settlement with Texas ($165.6 million), Massachusetts ($14 million), and Washington state ($33.3 million). In the last two years, Centene entered similar settlements with Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Additionally, there is likely an unnamed state as Centene reported they have entered into settlement agreements with a total of 13 states. To date, Centene has paid almost $500 million to states for Medicaid overcharges. In 2021, it was announced that Centene had put aside $1.25 billion for settlements with states. Please share this information with your state policymakers as just another example of why Medicaid managed care programs need major reforms. These practices not only harm patients and pharmacies, but taxpayers as well. Also, NCPA has a resource with recommended Medicaid managed care pharmacy payment reforms. NCPA

DEVELOPMENT Duke Energy finalizes sale of 1 of 2 uptown buildings, as developers plan changes Here’s the latest on what out-of-town developers are planning to do at 401 South College St. and 526 South Church St.

I sure wish 12/1/2022 was soon...ish rather than later...ish! Anyone know about possible reopening plans/date? I know they seem to use the space for food prep and/or private functions but still not open to the public.

Great to see these empty spaces being filled soon. 1 N Church Street 2 N Tryon Street 3 S College Street