midtownclt

I doubt we will ever see a freeway cap or removal of Brookshire or John Belk Freeways - the NCDOT is pushing back the I-77South project to 2029 due to funding issues. Hell, NC can't keep the freeway lights running consistently. Nearly of the overhead sign lights on I-85 in Gaston County are out and the lights on the overhead signs in Mecklenburg have been completely removed. And we all know how bad the issue is with the freeway lights themselves. Instead of tax breaks and/or tax rebates - we need that money and more for infrastructure! Choking the urban areas could lead to a slow-down in growth and perhaps that is what the legislature of this state wants.

Wow, all I can say after seeing this in person is - bring back the tiered lighting on the Bank of America HQ building (not just a lit crown)! Also, It may seem too VEGAS-ish to some in CLT - but I will take it any day over the bland, unlit BOA tower on College Street (it would be so nice if the corners that have the trees in them were lit at night) and the Catalyst Tower that no longer lights the top of the building ever. I know some on here hate this building regardless of design and lighting, and I respect that, but for now I welcome the addition to the skyline. I think it is possible that in time it will be lost with all the new development in the area and South End - maybe.

Does anyone know what movie (or commercial) is being filmed in Bearden Park tonight? They have a small mock Christmas Village set-up with artificial snow and Christmas lights near the intersection of MLK and Church St. Many truck along MLK and lots of lights.

The Odell building on North Tryon appears to have an open top to its pyramid as well - very similar to what is being discussed hear about the new BOAT tower pyramid.

Security seems to be lacking - I workout at Golds and last night on the way in and on the way out I witnessed arguments that looked as if they could result in a fight and security was no where in sight. They need to be stationed in the main area all the times as well as patrolling. A few weeks ago i witnessed a brawl between 2 different groups of people that started on the upper levels and then worked its way down to the main area outside of CVS and again no security in sight - I had to go find the valet to call security. It seems every night I am there someone asks for money but now it is to the point they are aggressive and do not take a simple no for an answer. It is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt at this place. Epicenter also appears to be in decay if you look closely at the staircases they are very weathered. As a resident of uptown and frequent pedestrian the amount of people that ask for money has increased substantially lately and they are often the same people - and as I said they do not take a simple "sorry" or "no" as an answer. They continue to follow you and continue to ask. And the street shelters on Tryon Street with the Hollywood lights look very outdated - something from Carowinds from the 1970's. Maybe its time to see those removed and/or replaced before the RNC.

Yes, thanks to any of you that update Wikipedia - now if someone could update skyscraperpage.com that would be great. I am not smart enough to do that myself unfortunately.

My wish list for the new year: 1) Someone (smarter than me) can update Skyscraperpage.com - some buildings are missing from the diagram, some from the proposed list, under construction list, etc..., 2) Bank of America will re-light the lower tiers of the building that have been out a few weeks of so, 3) Catalyst tower will re-light the top of their building (been out for several years now), and 4) Bank of America building next to the Ritz would get some better accent lighting for the trees on varoious floors in the corners of the building and something to replace what looks like construction lighting on the top floor of the building.

Honestly, I want a dome on that land.

YES THAT IS THE ONE - SEE THE THING ON TOP. THE BUILDING LOOKS GREAT IN ALL THE PICS WHERE YOU CAN NOT SEE THIS BUT FROM SOUTH BLVD DRIVING BY IT WAS SO PROMINENT.

sorry I did not get a pic, but look back 1 page at the Nov. 5th post from Nicholas and zoom in on the first pic to see what I am talking about - I noticed it as I passed on South Blvd. the other day - all in all a great building though - but I wish the glass had gone a little higher to screen (or block) the view of this thing on top of the building - all the other pics on the previous page are so sleek and clean

I do not know where I stand on the need for a new convention hotel, but I am concerned about the fact that we may delay this, if needed, in order to do things for the NFL stadium at the same time there is talk about moving operations out of Mecklenburg county (practice facility, operations, etc...) to Yotk/SC. For all the money Meck has spent on the stadium and infrastructure all these years it seems to be a slap in the face to move things out of the county and then expect more money for the stadium. I respect the concept of both Carolinas and ticket/PSL aside, Meck, CLT and maybe NC have invested a lot and moving the operations out the county does not bode well when it comes to wanting more tax payer money for the stadium or perhaps a dome,

This building looks great when close up and at street level, but it looks really bad from South Boulevard. That large grey long box on top looks terrible - Too bad the glass does not extend up far enough to block the view of the components on top of the building.

Yeah, I bet you are right about the difficulty in expanding the floor space - and I am sure it would be cost prohibitive. At least we will get more ballroom and meeting space with a new 1000 room hotel but it is a shame we can't get more floor space. The city should have saved some land where Stonewall Station is located for major expansion. I am afraid once we build the 1000 room hotel - we will be looking at First Ward, South End of somewhere else to build a much larger convention center in the near future.

I would think the data center would be the best location for a new convention hotel. It would be great if the convention center could be expanded with the hotel built above. Looking on a map if the date center land could be used to expand the convention center it could grow by about 25%. I know that is not enough for what we need but that would be a nice expansion if possible.

I hope someone has knowledge of what may eventually fill the Rite-Aid and Dean & DeLuca spaces. What new things may open on S. Tryon along with Chopt? I hope something other than more food/restaurants.

This may not be new news but I noticed that Walgreen is closing the Rite-Aid store on South Tryon at Latta Arcade. This may be a great opportunity for some new retail (or yet another restaurant) along with the closed Dean & DeLuca location on South Tryon. Looking forward to the new Chopt at least. Does anyone know about the plans for the Rite-Aid space or the Dean & DeLuca space?

During the storm Sunday afternoon, glass fell from the Catalyst building onto the sidewalk on Martin Luther King Blvd. across from Bearden Park. This is the second time in about a month that this has happened. The first fell from the top of the building almost centered above the front door - you can see the panel missing from the park! The piece that fell yesterday was from the same side on the 18th floor (I was told) - apparently just the outer layer if a multi-paneled window. Does anyone know anything more? Also, does anyone know why they never light the top of this building. I remember when it was constructed the lighting on the top of the building was very impressive and you can still see some of the accent lighting from the ground - but it is never lit. The last time I remember seeing it lit was during the DNC.

I agree also. The lighting on each level of BofA HQ with the setbacks gave the building character and emphasized the design at night. I hope the project is not complete! Speaking of building lighting, I thought the Catalyst had a great rooftop lighting system at night when it was first built. It does not seem to be lit at night now at all. Does anyone know who to inquire with about the rooftop lighting?

The words "Le Meridian" are on the top side facing I-277/Target/Midtown area. They appear to be simple black letters that are non illuminated. It does appear there is some more work taking place on top that may indicate more signage to come. A google search results in Sheraton Charlotte Hotel and I do not yet see anything on Starwood Hotels about the Le Meridian in Charlotte yet. That tower is still refered to as Charlotte Center City Hotel - North Tower. The South Tower is the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel.

Now it is much safer crossing South Boulevard to reach the new Adam and Eve store. I can't believe this has not been discussed yet as the newest retail outlet in South End. I can hear the moans from the Dilworth Association already. And they thought a pink high-rise was bad! I correct myself - just saw this discussed under SouthEnd Living thread.

To my knowledge, this will be a new location for Revolution (clothing store) that is located at Epicenter. I think they plan to try and operate 2 locations. This will be a tremendous asset for Dilworth and South End. The flooring sign is simply an advertisement for the company that is doing the floors for the remodel.

The webcam is up for SkyHouse Raleigh (see thread in Triangle) and the N & O reports that construction is to begin in the coming days. Congrats to Raleigh!!! Hope SkyHouse Charlotte is not too far behind.

Just read an article on shelbystar.com "Why does Raleigh oppose proposed resort?" - meaning the casino. It tells of many NC state legislators that signed the petition opposing the new casino in Kings Mountain have benefited from political donations from the Cherokee Indians that run Harrah's. The information they provide comes from followthemoney.com. It is also interesting that Cherokee is being considered for the 2014 NC GOP Convention according to the NC Republican Party chief of staff. House Speaker Thom Tillis has received $8,000.00, Gov. Pat McCrory $8,000.00, Senator Tom Apodaca (Henderson, Buncombe, Polk Counties) $25,000.00 and he played a key role in Harrah's amended contract that allows for class 3 gaming since 2011. Many others listed as well. The Republican political games seem to be never ending. This casino will benefit NC and the metro area with jobs that offer good wages for the Cleveland County - Shelby/Kings Mountain area. The gaming industry is already well established in this state with what has been allowed in Cherokee! I hope the Department of Interior can see past their intentions.

Has anyone noticed the lights do not work on top of the Catalyst anymore? Sure looked nice when is was completed and well lit at night. Hope this can be fixed before the DNC.