L.A.native

Couldn't have said it better. Not every corner of this city should be tore down and replaced with overpriced, cookie cutter townhouses and apartments. Utopia is what Charlotte is becoming with its gentrification and out pricing the natives.

Let's be honest, if any apartments are ever built where the epicentre currently sits we all can be assured they'll be the same boring, overpriced, "luxury" apartments that are dotted all throughout suburbia. There is absolutely no affordable housing in uptown or even southend for that matter. Eventually the quantity of these units will grossly outnumber the amount of people who can afford them; if that hasn't happened already. Charlotte could very possibly be one financial collapse away from being the countrys next Detroit. Having said that, I think a concrete plan to save the Epicentre would benefit uptown far more than anything else. This is a very large complex that sits right across the street from Spectrum Center and within a stones throw of the blue line. Not to mention the renovation outside the arena the Hornets are wanting to build. The Epicentre needs businesses that are unique, restaurants and breweries that aren't chains. Charlotte loves to aspire to be a "world class city" (whatever that is), why not bring world class restaurants from acclaimed chefs? What about something indoors for all ages? Like an escape room. Or maybe even a mini outdoor Waterpark? And while we're at it we may as well find somewhere on that property to build a ferris wheel (it seems like all the "world class" cities have one) . Anything but apartments.

All the recent troubles with the Feds is just a bump in the road to what will be a very great addition to tourism in this part of the state. It would've been much better if they would've just built the brick and mortar resort style casino and held back on these cheap double wide trailers filled with slot machines though.

I hate to say this but I'd love to think most of us don't give a rats tail about Nashville or any other city while on this forum. When will Charlotte just be Charlotte, and stop aspiring to be other cities?