nakers2

Sounds like a 21st century Levittown.

It really depends on how you look at the data, some growth data is based on percentages of existing people, buildings, other infrastructure, etc. In that case, despite the rate of growth decreasing, we have more to count so a lower percentage could actually still indicate more buildings being constructed than a higher percentage would have a few years ago. Like 5% of 100 is 5, and 2.5% of 200 is 5 as well. If the slowdown in growth is expected to be percentage wise, it might still “feel” like were in a growth boom, even through as a percentage of available stock, we are not, or were at a lower point than we were during the “peak”

Does anyone know if the new Park’s Chevrolet is planning to whittle down its stock over the coming year? They have a ton of cars in the undeveloped area behind their new dealership, and if they plan to keep that as a car lot then it’s a damn shame. I was hoping it would be more like a “European” dealership where they have a few of each model on site and if you don’t care for those, you can custom order or have one shipped from another dealer. At least a parking deck like Scott Clark’s Toyota on Independece would free up space and frankly be a bit more sightly than a cheaply paved empty lot.

I saw some Spin bikes up in the University area, at that shopping center next to the Berkeley Place Apartments, if anyone knows where that is. They were lined up on the sidewalk, like they had been placed there intentionally, if that’s the case they may be trying to dip into their toes in the water of the University area as well as some other suburban areas I’m sure. That area in particular is heavy with immigrants, so wouldn’t surprise me if they might embrace the bike and culture, especially if they don’t own a car.

It really shows how much glass there is in the BofA Center, its built to give the illusion of being solid stone, but if the sun hits it right you can definitely see how much the windows take up.

You ought to have quoted me so I saw this reply. People can drive on cobblestones, or as they call them in Antwerp, Kinderkopjes (childrens heads/skulls) I realize Americans would probably cry over having to drive on centuries old cobblestones, but they do their job in a sense by slowing people down, not to mention having a nice aesthetic. My critique on the concrete slabs and the deep grooves is more a complaint of safety and over-engineering if anything. I just don't see why they couldn't have set the tracks in asphalt, I'm not an engineer but it just seems that if they can set tracks in cobblestones in Europe then why would it be difficult to set them in asphalt, flush with the road surface on trade street? Look at these pics as examples, flush with the road surface.

Did I miss something? Or is the new Duke tower still a speculation?

Wow, I didn’t think my comment would get this much attention. To clear things up, I am a white male, early twenties, I was wearing high end blue jeans, a collared shirt with a suit jacket, the shoes I wore were black Jordan’s, not the ones made for basketball, but more of the “high top” variety. When I went back I wore the same outfit but with some suede shoes and they didn’t say anything. I honestly think my friend is who brought attention to it the first time as he had just gotten off work and was wearing kitchen shoes (though clean and in good repair) and then the doorman saw mine as well. He must have a thing for feet though because he didn’t even seem to notice his deli shirt. On a more serious note though, I’m not a fan of the race card, but I do suspect that many establishments use these tactics to keep certain people, specifically blacks and homosexuals out of their establishment. A good example being a black work friend of mine being turned away from Slate one night despite wearing a nearly identical outfit to myself, I believe they used the “athletic shoes” line again. Not accusing M&T of this, but it does happen. I don’t mind dressing up, it was more an inconvenience than anything, however I do feel the environment does call for a more “dress casual” look, rather than strictly formal, they should go all the way (no jeans, suit jackets required) rather than nit picking on minor things. I’d understand if I had canary yellow basketball shoes on, but black “old school” high tops are not exactly a travesty to fashion.

I know a few people have already been up to Merchant and Trade, I'd have made it last week but apparently jeans are cool, but "athletic shoes" are not. I agree that it's a very nice space, it's a lot bigger than it appears from ground level. Honestly the hotel looks much shorter from the ground than it feels from the roof, perhaps because it is dwarfed by 300 South Tryon. It has a very warm "homey" feel and massive windows, so it still makes for a pleasant visit on a cool night, but I think where this place will truly shine is on hot summer nights where people will clamor on the patio for a cool breeze and to watch events in the park and at the Knights Stadium.

The University Area is quite hilly, I delivered food up there and nearly every apartment complex, including my own, requires some serious grading, or has a "0" level (two apartments on the backside of the building, below grade) as well as retaining walls, etc. Unlike, for example, Southend where minimal grading is necessary.

I'm no engineer, but I have always disliked the tracks in the street (I do like the streetcar in general though) I never understood why they had to be laid in concrete slabs with deep grooves that catch tires, especially on a narrow tired car like mine. In Europe I have seen streetcar tracks literally laid in cobblestones, flush with the ground level. They literally just cut grooves wide enough for the track and then set it there.

How does one get invited to one of these "shindigs", I'd love to see that view, and with some of the women I've seen going in and out of there, the view inside can't be half bad either.

Yes, there are some domestic a330 routes too, I have also seen them tow/taxi aircraft to B after unloading.

Can't agree enough with this statement, the airport is a necessary, but immense barrier to that side of the city, hence why development hasn't happened there naturally. It's incredible to drive around the airport, especially south and west of the field, and know you're in the 16th most populous city in America. If the river district relies solely on roads, Wilkinson and West, for commuter (and eventually weekend) traffic, then it WILL essentially become it's own municipality, even if not formally so, think University City, I have lived up here since I began college and it feels like an entirely different town that Charlotte. On another note, I think keeping the name "River District" or something similar such as "River Park" or "The Waterfront" to give some generic options is essential to keeping the idea that this is a neighborhood of Charlotte, not some suburban town. Once again going back to University City, I hate the name because it eludes to the separation from the rest of Charlotte.

Snuck into the lobby the other day, very nice, high quality materials from what I could observe before I was promptly asked to leave.

I want to make note that the stand in planes in the rendering are airbus a340s, I know that doesn't "promise" anything, but I see it as a sign the airport still has international operations in sight for the long term with this terminal. I think this terminal will really be the catalyst for pushing CLT to the standard we see in so many airport around the world. The open, glassy design reminds me of a more muted Madrid-Barajas International. That place was freaking huge though despite having less traffic than CLT, we have a lot of growing yet to do on a *relatively* small footprint.

This makes me sad honestly, wouldn't it be nice. It just makes me think (I realize density, car culture play into it) of how good the transit system in Antwerp Belgium is, a city about the size of Raleigh, but with the density of cities like New York or San Francisco. (I have family there, so it's a bit of pride for me)

Well there's an airplane in the middle of it! (ill see myself out)

The Queen herself? Her Majesty Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz International Airport. That would take a good breath to say in full. There's also a pornographic artist (so I've been told) named Brooke Ballentyne (I swear I'm not making that up) On a more serious note, the only women I can think of that might qualify having an airport named after them (A-list celebrities and local political or planning officials) are the current mayor (fat chance, regardless of your politics) Bonnie Cone, Sue Myrick, Annie Lowrie Alexander (first licensed female physician in the south) or Susan Helms (astronaut) Honestly though if I had to cast my ballot it would have to be for a white guy, Sully Sullenberger considering the airport was his destination that fateful day, and the plan is currently here at CLT.

I know this is an old post but I just came across it today, I love seeing old pictures and looking where some of the new buildings and other development currently are. With that being said, are you sure this is from 1975 and possibly not a few years earlier? I ask because most of my classes have taken place in the McEnery building on campus (where the parking lot at the end of the shadow cast by the library tower is) and it's elevators clearly say they were tested in 1975 (I want to say early 1975, I can't remember the exact date) but looking at the tree colors this picture was probably taken at the start of fall, which counters that evidence. Even if I'm wrong about that part I would find it hard to believe that the elevators would have been ready for testing, even if the construction had started the day after this picture was taken, which I doubt.

If I'm not mistaken, even when the Bobcats were around, legacy Hornets gear was somewhere near the top (I heard #2) selling NBA merchandise. If I had to guess it probably had a lot to do with the teal and purple color scheme which is still in my opinion one of the coolest and most recognizable color schemes of any sports team anywhere.

That's essentially what I was thinking. I'm not an engineer, but I imagine those blank white walls along the corners are not entirely load bearing and could have windows put into them to let in more natural light, unless they're stairwells (not familiar with the building inside) The position of the building on the site could also be problematic, modern development values street frontage, of which this building has none.

I was born and have lived in NC practically all but three years of my life, so maybe I've grown used to natural particulates in the air, with the exception of right around this time of year. However, after living in the relatively small city (big town?) of Hickory, and then through high school in the Boone area, what seems to become more noticeable in the Charlotte area is air pollution. I know its gotten better, but last summer I worked a job that required me to be outside around midday, and on code orange and the the one or two code red days we had I could definitely feel a slight burning in my eyes and throat, same with the wildfires in November, but having lived in the mountains that wasn't something new to me.

If they're done with the remodel then I don't like it, the mall still feels dated and there are many stores that still have the 1990's multi-color fronts. I also don't much care for their continued use of carpet in come swaths of the mall, and I know of at least one bathroom down by Bass Pro that has not been remodeled in the slightest. If I had to give an educated guess I would say they are not done yet, or have given individual stores some liberties when it comes to remodeling their own storefronts, this goes for the theater as well. This would make sense considering there's one stretch between entrance 2 and 3 that looks to be entirely finished (H&M, Brooks Brothers, just past the Starbucks going to the food court) this area had some empty stores at the time of the remodel start so it would've made sense for the mall to go ahead and go all the way on it. The biggest sign that my theory is correct, however, is that bathroom I mentioned, there's no way that this restroom would not be re-imaged like the rest. Combined with the old hardwood floor sections still in place in areas, I think we'll see more work over the next few months, perhaps as stores leases expire or move out, Southpark has been doing this as well, moving stores around to remodel their old spaces and then move new tenants in.

Based on the renderings, and putting it through the "reality filter" so to speak, the design appears to match the color of the epicenter with the glass of the windows and along what I assume is either a stairwell or a series of lounges on each floor acting as the color accent. Looking at it now it seems very disappointing, the windows look smaller than the renderings, and there seems to be much less definition in the facade. Hopefully this isn't the final look of the building, because if it is I will be counting the days until those lots across from the Transit Center are developed to block this thing.