[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

My major Uptown employer has "fully returned" but employees are interpreting hybrid as maybe 1 or 2 days in the office... if any. Most managers, directors, et... want to work at home themselves and aren't really requiring people to be in so the building is maybe 15% full on any individual day. Some floors, not a single person is showing up. 
The goal was 3 days in from corporate, but that isn't even close to happening and people seem to really like working at home. I thought more people would show up in our return back this month and be excited, but people just aren't coming. Some people flat out have told their supervisors they will quit if they have to go in.... And managers know the job market is rough and replacing people is expensive so they are just allowing a "hybrid" employee to essentially come in once a month to keep their badge active.

I could be wrong, but I predict that will end in less flexibility, with companies dictating what those in office days must be (and noticing who doesn’t show up) rather than them backing off.


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[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

I have to think that momentum on Uptown residential development will come back quickly if/when people return to the office buildings. Currently, why would anyone pay a premium to live Uptown when they are working from home and the energy/excitement that previously existed in Uptown is only fractionally returned? Especially on the north and west sides of Uptown? If someone wants an urban lifestyle with a lot to do/restaurants/bars, they are looking at Southend currently. I don't think anyone REALLY knows what cities will be like post-pandemic. Frankly, I'm shocked that we're still seeing spec office buildings and hotels being built in and near Uptown (and that commercial buildings are selling for a premium). These folks are either visionaries or very, very stupid. 

Don’t underestimate how much big companies want people back in the office, at least on a hybrid basis. The media is focused on the companies that are embracing full remote, but they’re overblowing it. A major Charlotte-based employer is set to announce they’re spending millions to buy all employees at home molecular test kits for a March return to office.


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[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

As a resident of this side of uptown, I’m excited by this news! I wish the development were condos, though. With the housing market as tight as it is, I think there would be demand.


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[Misc. Uptown Projects/News]

Hello, all! Does anyone know what’s going on with Thomas Polk Park at the Trade and Tryon intersection? For months, maybe even almost a year, the fountains have been turned off, it’s been full of trash, and it’s been full of people sleeping (or engaged in other inappropriate-for-public activities). It’s definitely not worthy of our city’s primary crossroads in its current state.