Eightane

I suppose the July date was a deliver-by date to the contractor, and they decided it was far enough along to move the opening date? Either way if they call at this point and push the date back it would take something unforseen, the likes of which I can't begin to guess.

In response to the last of 485 opening, I'd like to know how many UPers here are familiar with the Northeast side, or at least more familiar than the likes of me. Curious about how many roads will benefit from the 'bridge' from 77 to 85 and what other effects we might see overall, good or bad, as far as is relevant.

I didn't know if I should give much credit for the service quality, if it's the first week of opening stores are notorious for going whole-hog and then reigning it in (at least in how many that are on-duty to assist) once their customer base is established. Glad the smell's gone though, if I had to describe it at the time I'd call it "industrial-adhesive meets paint fumes", couldn't be more clearly from freshness. Maybe since I see heavier / more steady traffic for a food market as opposed to a home-improvement one - plus with both now in business - the storefronts have more chance at profit. Time and an exploding population mass will tell.

So I dropped by the new Publix at maybe 8 last night on the way back from Latta Arcade. It was actually the first time I've been IN a Publix location period; pretty much how I'd expected in the way of product offerings, a lot like the newer Ingles in Dallas and Lincolnton, expansive and a lot of choice/care paid to the "made-in-house" departments. Bakery's nice only compared to other comparable mid-to-upper tier grocers, an actual dessertery would best it easily. Word of warning, if you park in one of the two levels under the store bring noseplugs, the smell (I don't know enough about construction to place its source) is overpowering. Hope this leaves fast the more air gets to the materials. I'm mostly glad it's there. Hard to believe it's the only mega-grocer in South End for the time being, and standing on its corner with the (half)-urban Lowe's next door reminds me how even quasi-regard for spacial issues can make a real "place" out of what are still at heart suburban staples.

Ah yeah, there's the clincher of the real world. If they didn't all strive to underbid each other (or if they ALL chose to tack on that extra) this would be feasible.

True, but it's about the fact that weather is maybe the most *easy* thing to assume as a variable that can muck things up. It's almost guaranteed to be a hamper at some point, but by that same token certain things happen here with regularity, it's the nature of patterns (subfreezing nights often in winter, rain often between March/April and early August). If it gets to where four out of five road projects that DO get delayed name that issue overall - they come right out placing blame there - it leads me to wonder if contractors around here (or those they answer to) are familiar with climate patterns in this part of the country. It's not a question of if delays are understandable, of course they are; it's a question of if the time tables they provide in the first place are realistic. There's something to be said for not 'trying too hard' for good publicity by swiftness if you don't allot for extra wait in case the trends move a little out of place or surprise you. Tack another two or three months onto the end-timeframe by default and see if a great portion of news reports about openings pushed back don't vanish.

Colour me shocked if they're finally accounting for weather. It seems like so many road and/or transport project openings have at times been pushed back for weather issues, as if they never take into account that it rains and/or snows and/or gets cold here. Or the estimates beforehand are generous for PR or political reasons.

Black LION you mean?~ Couldn't resist

Might've been that daisy they made a big to-do about some years ago, it was discovered in one field and never elsewhere. I only recall because rare plants are as much a pursuit of mine as urban progress. Either way, concerning the bypass I'll be more optimistic than some I've spoken to locally about its future; it may not render itself useless by sprawl. After buildout in another few decades maybe people will be smarter about growth, even outside urban centers, and the car culture won't win right out of the gate.

There was more to the north and west for sure, even locally. Living in Stanley we got about 4 or 5", more if you figure in melting overnight from temps hovering. I've always scoffed at forecasts, drawn my own conclusions where I'm rarely less accurate and don't have to stand before a green screen in a bow tie, hah.

From a project news outsider, now that the Knights are moved, is their old SC castle straightaway doomed or still home to some us (events, etc)? If the former, would any future displacement be purely speculation?

THIS is what large-scale residential blocks should aspire to. Every element blends with such elegance (assuming it's built and appears the same as what we're seeing), and I'm in love with the arbor-ed patios. Hope this sets a good example to some future extent.

I was semi-afraid that's the case. Well if it means the issue is obstruction-through-density, I'm fine with a problem like that. :}

The coloured lights are nifty. I'd kill (or at least maim) to see a shot that catches that and Duke Energy's shows. On a trip to Bearden last week I swung by The Green as well, and I'm honestly in awe of how the trees' growth has added such dimension, esp. on the side of St. Peter's. I know it's been said in the past few pages, but I can't overstate how different it will be after time for that at Bearden, plus the ballpark, Childress Klein and other (inevitable) nearby projects to wrap. It's pretty hard to imagine at this point.

Thought I'd share what I snapped this morning, a view that supports the 'canyon' assessment. Not even including the Carillon and Two Wells Fargo on either end. http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php/gallery/?module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=3247&file=max

And so the countdown begins to see what (likely inferior) replacement comes down the pike. Though it was already lacking street retail to begin with.

In any case, with gas prices leaping large in the past little while, I'd expect another surge in numbers to follow. And once the many residential projects in South End open doors, there's no reason we can't surpass the prior high. It'll be interesting to see just how many more riders-per-day they'll equate to, versus actual number of new residents. I doubt it would be at or near 100 percent, despite the LYNX's draw to the area; seeing how it's not the only reason that area's desirable.

Never mind. Apparently, my eyes aren't working well this morning.

First off, new member, long-time lurker, hi all. I'd agree wholeheartedly with Urbanity, on if the Triad could land MLB. Considering they're the midpoint between the only two larger metros in the state (and if speaking of a day trip, almost within a reasonable drive of either), I should think that counts for something if it's ever on the table.