Urban Cowboy

The terrazzo in the renovated bathrooms is especially appalling. The airport needs to clean the white floors more often - they look disgusting in many of the bathrooms. Shades of brown/yellow.

Maybe it's because of the inset track? Or simply concern that a car would hit ice and run into the street car?

The paint has been there since November. Not sure if it's a test coat or not at this point. Feel like they would have painted before all of the metal framing was installed.

I think the solar panels will be blocked a fair amount. The apartment building is going to wrap the east and south sides. And Alta Purl is already to its west. Depends on the setbacks I suppose.

DISCLAIMER - THE FOLLOWING OPINION IS AN OPINION: Judging a building on its shaft alone is a bit premature. Everyone knows the base and top finish the form of any phallus. I agree with TheRealClayton's rationale here, because I truly didn't hate LU1's architecture until it was "finished." Regarding buildings and rating them on a 1-10 scale. A wise man told me a looooong time ago that in this world, there are only 1s and 0s. Would you or wouldn't you. Let that sink in.

I had friends walking out of the Ellis the other day when gun fire erupted from the Hookah Lounge parking lot. They could have been killed if a stray bullet hit them. Remember when that visiting doctor was killed on College from a stray bullet? It unfortunately can happen anywhere (even pre-Covid as was the case with the doctor). I feel safe uptown and have never felt unsafe either. But perception does matter. And these anecdotes do exist. And while South End is booming (rightfully so) I do think it’s created a vacuum north of Trade as momentum has swung south. Vacant buildings and lots don’t inspire energy and they attract blight. The reality is that our corporations are the ones that drove much of the development in uptown. And the scale and street interactions of the buildings are focused on WORK. Whereas south end’s buildings (historically) are smaller and have a better human scale/street interaction. They’re focused on LIVING and PLAYING. Where would you rather be? Hopefully workers return soon because like it or not - most of uptown’s character and charm was leveled for beautiful skyscrapers (that we all love and appreciate!). But there’s few retail options uptown. Better dining elsewhere. And if there are no workers - what’s the draw? A few museums yes. I love what’s happening in South End but there needs to be more focus on a vibrant and safe-feeling city center. If that means reducing rent rates for street level retail or other incentives - bring it on. People need a reason to be uptown.

The rent prices are reflective of the interior and amenities, but not the neighborhood or styrofoam exterior. Couldn’t pay me to live across the street from that Hookah Lounge. There have been 4 shootings there in the last 2 months. One stray bullet and that’s it. Plus College is a drag strip on the weekends as people leave clubs and bars - too much ***inconsiderate*** road noise. I sound like an old man but my wife and I literally sold our townhome and left an urban neighborhood because we were tired of inconsiderate drivers who floored their chargers, challengers, and mustangs at all hours. Loud mufflers are inconsiderate and annoying to everyone except the driver. People will say “that’s living in a city.” I agree and they’re right. But people have choices. Lower occupancy at the Ellis is probably more reflective of the county’s homeless services next door and a “lounge” that’s open until 4:00AM everyday and attracting gun violence. These are real issues and the homeless population especially will continue to hinder change along North Tryon and neighboring blocks. I feel so bad for North Tryon because it can’t catch a break between inept land holders, stalled Levineland, the county, hall House plans, Publix, and physical access issues brought to you by the CSX tracks and 277.

Here's your Queens Park. Keep the school and then demo everything under 3 stories between Tryon and Caldwell. No railyard to deal with.

I was expecting the Tryon side to be higher than this. But here are some terrible photos to show today’s action.

Sunrise the other day

Looks like they’re potentially doing a test coat of paint on the garage to see if that would improve the appearance?? The grey on the top floor of the deck. They should have painted all of the concrete before putting the mesh screening on. Love this building’s lines but the deck’s appearance is a major fail if they don’t paint. IMO, of course.

Totally agree. SouthEnd doesn’t need the help. I’m excited for the towers and growth. I think many of us lament it hasn’t happened in areas of the city’s focus - hence my offshoot on physical barriers. I hope most of these new residential towers are not EFIS because that’s my biggest gripe with the 6 story apartments that currently blanket southend. Quality of construction and specifically their facades. As these things age out and are 20,30,40 years old - how are they going to look? Hopefully we see more glass, metal, and concrete. Less styrofoam and composite.

That and, connectivity to the North Tryon, North Graham, and Davidson corridors is terrible. So even though we have Camp North End, Optimist Hall, and NoDa to the north - walkability and connectivity are terrible. To exit uptown and get past 277 - you go over or under 277 depending on which city street you’re on - and I think that adds to the disjointed feeling. Because once you’re north of 277 you’re really funneled away quickly and the land is so choppy because of the rail lines and rail yard. Granted, some momentum and development is occurring just north of 277 - but I view Graham, Tryon, and Parkwood as the biggest hurdles to that feeling of connectivity/continuous urban fabric that I think inspires development.

That’s my concern, too. But the free market is determining the current development areas. And the momentum is in SouthEnd. North Tryon and first ward are slow to move forward because of Levine (as you mentioned), public money and interest, and place-making projects that seem to take longer to get off the ground. North Tryon is also home to, and in close proximity to, several non-profits that provide services to our homeless community. Doesn’t bother me personally, but I have to imagine the noticeable numbers of homeless people on the north end of Tryon does stifle growth or at minimum, desirability to live and work in that specific area.

I still think removing 277 makes more sense than capping that one section. Especially if the goal is creating more land for development/tax base (vs green space which I assumed was the primary driver)

To follow-up on a point from the previous page...I don't understand the appeal or need to cap 277. It would be incredibly expensive....And in the short stretch between Mint and South blvd, there are 6 crossings if you count the light rail. The rail trail bridge will make 7. If the goal is to create more green space - there are better places to focus in my opinion. South End and the southern part of Uptown are all doing fine on their own. Why not invest public money elsewhere? PLUS... If you capped 277, we'd have a park that fronts the Honeywell Parking Deck, LU Parking Deck, Ally Parking Deck, and back of Novel Stonewall... the only intriguing bit would be Ally and the plans for Uptown Cabaret. Removing 277 should be the objective. Not capping it.

True story: Truist called me and asked if I would consider opening an account.... I specifically told them I would never open an account with Truist until the signs are removed. I also told the rep I would move ALL of my money to Truist if they took the signs down - as a thank you. I'm a man of my word, too. Signs are still up.... So they must have looked at my bank account and decided the hassle wasn't worth it LOL

I love this building but I am concerned seeing the deck screening go up. Why not spend the money to paint the parking deck exterior black? Then add the screening over top. Would make such a difference.

This project is literally saving and tastefully incorporating historic structures. The only historic charm in Plaza Midwood IMO is residential along Thomas Avenue. And arguably the business frontage along Central. I'm all for this project. And this is 1.5 blocks from the gold line terminus. We should be encouraging this type of development. It has LOTS of retail, office, and residential. And continues Commonwealth through the development, effectively extending the urban fabric of PM's core. PM will never be the PM of 15 years ago. So odd how people like to complain (not saying you are JacksonH). But how many of these people *really* want to live in the PM of years ago?

Would have been better to run it into the heart of Midwood via Pecan instead of Hawthorne, IMO. But excited nonetheless.

100% agree. Demolishing a college/culinary school and a black church? .... Why not just say what you really mean? Unbelievable.

Charlotte had 123 murders in 2020. Tragic, yes. Each and every one. But to suggest that Charlotte can "keep the murders" is a bit callous to families and friends who have lost someone to violence. And among its peer cities, Charlotte has a comparatively low murder rate for a city this size. #59 on this list and we're the 15th largest US city... and 22nd largest metro in the US. 123 murders in 2020 was 1 murder higher than the previous high set back in the 90s, but the city's population was much lower back then too. I've never felt unsafe living in Charlotte but I know that economics, location, and privilege play into that feeling. https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/murder-map-deadliest-u-s-cities/ Also - I'm not hating on Gastonia by showing the statistical comparison below. Just showing context. I really like downtown Gastonia and I think the city has a lot of potential. Everyone picks on Gastonia because they think of Gastonia as 321/85 interchange and fast food. But downtown Gastonia thankfully has a dense Main street is certainly trending upward.

I'm confident the residents of first ward would appreciate better connectivity and dining options. Filling in the parking lots between first ward park and the residences of first ward should be a priority for the city. The arena is right there, too. We're talking about entertainment districts, etc but why not build around the arena which hosts WAY more events than BofA Stadium.