Third Strike

Bus lanes on Independence Boulevard will be reopening: https://www.wcnc.com/amp/article/traffic/charlotte-independence-closed-bus-lanes-middle-road-traffic/275-ac32abbd-32fa-4145-8ae8-6a83f947097b

With gas prices soaring, especially with the Russia-Ukraine crisis, do y’all think transit ridership will increase overall? Hopefully more people will push for expanding our transit network, especially commuters that travel long distances. https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/23/business/brent-oil-ukraine-russia/index.html

So the city is blocking off the community created skate park. The skate park will demolished to make way for the Eastland redevelopment. It’s very disappointing that the city didn’t integrate this park into the development (especially one anchored by a sports facility) or try to relocate it elsewhere. Update: same thing is happening to the open air market. Pretty sad that such community initiatives are being dismantled without a proper replacement or including it in the Eastland redevelopment plan. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/development/article258383023.html

Phase 1 of the Gateway Station is 90% done. https://twitter.com/nc_by_train/status/1491141790837227520?s=21

I haven’t confirmed it yet but I have been told that the flee market has shifted to the westside of the site. I’m guessing construction of phase 1 should start soon.

Ran across this nifty website that lets you re-envision roads, transit, bike lanes and more. Couldn’t get the website to load on iPhone but it does work on Windows. Pretty fun tool: https://streetmix.net

Not exactly in PM, but I feel like the Eastway Crossing shopping center could become something similar to Park Road. A decade ago the shopping center was mostly empty, but now the shopping center is almost full with some significant tenants (Book Buyers from Midwood Corners is moving here). There should definitely be a push to redevelop some of the remaining parking lot for mixed-use development. The shopping center will have a stop at the Gold Line and not too far away from the Silver Line.

^If the Red Line ever happens, there should definitely be a station at Camp NorthEnd. Though I don’t know if it would be considered because of how close Gateway would be.

https://charlottenc.gov/planning/Rezoning/RezoningPetitions/2021Petitions/Documents/Site_Plans/2021_206_siteplan.pdf Rezoning plan for the Mallard Creek Pointe Shopping Center.

In other commuter rail news, an underused freight line in NYC would be upgraded for passenger rail. https://gothamist.com/news/hochul-promises-inter-borough-express-rail-service-connect-brooklyn-and-queens This line is currently owned by a shortline company and runs twice a day. Hopefully more states and cities continue to expand their regional/commuter rail systems. This also makes me firmly believe that the NCRR and the ACWR would be the most feasible lines for commuter rail. The former is owned by the state and the latter is owned by a shortline with low freight traffic.

What would be the best use for this corridor, especially since it’s owned by the state? Would passenger rail be feasible, especially since it connects Charlotte to Gastonia? More freight business? Or maybe dismantle it for a rail trail? Seems like an important line that is currently underutilized.

Bo Time is coming next to the Ervin Building. Pic by @andrewwinke on Instagram.

I was on the University City Partners website, and they had a redevelopment project on their interactive map for the Mallard Pointe Shopping Center (next to the JW Clay Station, where Food Lion is). Looks like the former Kohls location will be demolished for apartments and a parking deck. Anybody have anymore info on this project?

Would the idea of eliminating on-street parking on Trade/Elizabeth be plausible? Seems like it would help with cars blocking the track.

I know it’s really cheap to get a home in Cleveland and Stanly, so I can see why there might be an uptick in population in the coming years.

Random shower thought: CATS should consider using the ACWR line for commuter/regional rail. This is a baseless assumption but since the ACWR company is smaller, and the fact that there is very low traffic on this line, maybe they might be more open to allowing passenger rail on their line than Norfolk South and the O-Line. You could place platforms/stations at Eastway, Sharon Amity, Harris, Harrisburg/Pence Road, and I-485/Albemarle, along with a stop at the Gateway Station. Expansions to Midland could also be a possibility if Cabarrus is onboard.

The Gold Line made me curious on the other streetcar project that’s taking place in the region: the Belmont streetcar. Looks like the project is still active and is in the process of acquiring two historic vehicles from Charlotte. https://www.wfae.org/business/2021-08-09/gastons-belmont-may-be-the-next-stop-for-charlottes-historic-trolley-cars https://belmonttrolley.org

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t there a single company holding many of these parcels along Elizabeth, hostage? Similar to the Levine situation in First Ward? I want to say Grubb but I’m not completely sure. I remember hearing about a mixed-use development being proposed somewhere along this stretch, but I believe it’s been years since an update. I also remember Whole Foods was rumored in this area, years before the Uptown location came to fruition.

I wouldn’t mind CVS staying on that corner, but I would love it if they upgraded to a more urban store. Something similar to this:

I remember talks of a temp Amtrak station (AmShack?) being constructed before the final station is completed. Is that still going to happen?

I think the issue with Pecan are the CSX tracks. A grade separation would have been the only option there, and that would have jacked up the cost of the line.

Looks like a Starbucks is coming to North Tryon and 23rd: https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=21LDR&capID2=00000&capID3=00249&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE&IsToShowInspection=

I’m not a fan of the alignment they picked for the Silver Line in southeast Charlotte. I feel like it should be mostly routed along Monroe Road and/or the CSX rail line.

New mobile CATS pass for Android and iOS is now available: https://charlottenc.gov/cats/bus/Pages/CATS-Pass.aspx

CATS should definitely extend the express bus down to Waxhaw, on NC 16. That area definitely needs transit connectivity.