Third Strike

Do you have a link? This is the first I’m hearing of this.

New rezoning for 90 townhomes, next to the Eastland site: https://charlottenc.gov/planning/Rezoning/RezoningPetitions/2022-Petitions/Documents/Revised_Site_Plans/2022_015_RevSitePlan_2022_10_20.pdf

Not related directly to Charlotte, but there are plans to designate and upgrade US 421 to an Interstate, from Winston-Salem to Wilkesboro. I think the Triad has the record of having the most Interstates in the state: https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2022/10/11/interstate-status-sought-for-western-us-421.html

Is there a list of future parks/sites that the city/county is working on developing? I live in East Charlotte, and it’s miles in all directions before I can reach a park. Just wondering what the city has planned for any new parks.

Am I wrong in assuming this project has been under construction for about a decade? I recall this interchange being under construction back in 2011, unless that was a different project.

Kroger and Albertsons are merging. Don’t know how this would affect Harris Teeter, but I thought this was noteworthy: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/14/business/kroger-albertsons-merger/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2022-10-14T11%3A40%3A16&utm_source=twcnnbrk&utm_medium=social

Whataburger coming to Charlotte? There are permits for a location at 5301 South Boulevard, which is near the Tyvola Light Rail Station: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-around-town/c5-development/article266236806.html?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0OOdLyfMkr8INP9Uc1R0smAxe47qPlNjRIWeA2AZtVP3UjV6PMw6df9Hs

I believe the owners of that parcel did not want to sell. I’ve seen similar situations play out in other cities, so this doesn’t seem completely unusual for me. The biggest issue I have with this block is the lack of retail and that they didn’t try to save the old church at the corner of Hawthorne and Central. I believe the church was once a recording studio and bands like REM recorded there.

Interesting video on how and why Boston’s “Big Dig” tunnel failed and how it impacted Boston’s transit system. Removing downtown highways altogether seem to be more beneficial than digging a tunnel.

Someone on Reddit has noted that a new track was built next to the ACWR in NoDa. Don’t think it’s the realignment project, as this track is right next to the existing tracks. Any idea what they are for? This is next to the crossing on 36th Street.

I could see them making a move in the Triad and the Triangle. I-40 could likely be a prime candidate, as it would be expensive to widen with just general purpose lanes.

Updated area plan for “Eastland Yards”

Good article on how the city is proceeding without Tepper with the Eastland site. Sounds like we may get more green space and multi-use development on the former Tepper portion of the site. Ground-breaking starts this Wednesday: https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/development/article263840257.html

Not sure NS would have a problem if a parallel rail line was built next to the existing O-Line, especially if commuter rail and freight rail is separated. It would make the project significantly more expensive. ROW, building new bridges, road re-alignment, etc. I’m personally on board with double tracking that corridor, if given the opportunity. Would also boost speed and train frequencies too, and subsequently ridership.

In rail news from around the greater region, a non-profit group wants to buy the rail line that runs between Inman, SC and Zirconia, NC from Norfolk Southern. This segment is part of a larger rail line that runs from Spartanburg and Asheville. This segment also includes the Saluda Grade, which is one of the steepest and most dangerous pieces of railroad on the continent. The group wants to convert it to a trail, but also wanted to preserve the ROW for potential, future rail service. https://railfan.com/non-profits-team-up-to-turn-legendary-saluda-grade-into-rail-trail/

I wonder what kind of development phase 2 will be. Would be nice to have another grocery store in the area, especially close to the Gold Line.

I wasn’t aware that NS was selling the Salisbury/Asheville line. Any chance the state would be interested in buying it? Especially since there’s been a renewed interest in connecting Asheville with rail?

https://fampo.org/galleries/origin/389fay-2-ral-passenger-rail-final-report-8-21-2020.pdf There’s a new proposal to create a commuter line between Raleigh and Fayetteville. One of the rail corridors under consideration is owned by Norfolk Southern (the other is part of the NCRR and CSX). Would be awesome if any negotiations with potentially using NS’ rail line, also involved our Red Line. I believe this is the only line that NS has that connects to Fayetteville, so I’m not sure how NS would feel with passenger rail sharing their tracks.

NCDOT to update Wilmington passenger-rail study: https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/North-Carolina-DOT-to-update-passenger-rail-study--66738

I remember the backlash from the car dealership’s rezoning. I believe this was before Topgolf and the entertainment district being proposed in this area. Still don’t know what the city was thinking with allowing that to pass.

Wouldn’t surprise me if NC never builds the rest of I-74. I believe that alignment runs through some wetlands, so that may kill any interest in completing the project. SC has shown some interest lately in getting I-73 built out, at least from Myrtle Beach to I-95. Would rather see NC and SC work together to get that last leg of I-73 completed (and for NC to upgrade US-74 to freeway/interstate standards).

The old Tryon Mall is being redeveloped. Also, the parking lot is being graded for a future multi-family project: https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=22SD2&capID2=00000&capID3=00031&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE&IsToShowInspection= The area around the Sugar Creek light rail station is quickly blowing up. Hopefully the old NorthPark Mall is next.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=22LDR&capID2=00000&capID3=00097&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE&IsToShowInspection= Anyone have any info on this project? An 8k grocery located on 2200 Statesville Avenue. This would place it next door to Camp North End.

Any idea if the museum is relocating elsewhere in Uptown?

I-74 was passed by Congress, which explains why the routing is weird and using a number that violates set Interstate standards (US 74 and I-74 should not run concurrent with each other). Congress would have to pass another bill to alter the routing. Truth be told, Virginia and West Virginia have no interest in building their portion of I-74. I-74 designation should be decommissioned in favor of spurs of existing Interstates. The portion of I-74 between I-77 and I-73 should be resigned as either I-X77 or I-X73, and the section of I-74 between Rockingham and outside of Wilmington should just be part of a dedicated Interstate between Wilmington and Charlotte (and maybe Asheville), which an I-3X would fit well in this corridor.