[NoDa (N Davidson St Arts District) Projects]

OK, since we all get to be critics here, I don't think a concrete pole is very creative. I think the use of large boulders, even though frowned upon by CDOT, is an attractive way for property owners to protect their landscaping and structures. I also think when the development is fully occupied it will be lighted and more visible and such problems will be unlikely.

Also, I like that Furman did the parking behind the structure as opposed to the open lot next door. The plans show pea gravel instead of pavement...

Whether developer or Furman gets credit, I think some good was done here. Now the test of time.

The parking area was paved and then covered in a very shallow amount of pea gravel. Any reason for the gravel? Also, I believe that there is someone living in the house right next door (NW on 63th). Was that available when the development started?

While I agree that a set of poles would not be attractive, that corner could use a bit of protection. Some sort of barrier similar to the row houses across Wesley (small retaining wall) or the Renaissance (a hip height wall with a private area behind) would provide safety and peace of mind.

That said, I just went out to really examine the corner unit and I'm slightly surprised that a car could drive all the way into the unit. (For those of you that did not see the incident, a full sized sedan managed to drive trunk deep through the window!) There is a large tree, a fire hydrant, and an ever ubiquitous overhead power line pole ALL right in front of the unit. That drunk felon sure did know how to thread the needle.

[NoDa (N Davidson St Arts District) Projects]

Did they add a concrete pole or anything to prevent cars from going through the building again?

I'm glad this and other NoDa projects are now starting to have people living in them. As controversial as all the condos in NoDa are, they will undoubtedly help to support the businesses and make it a better place to live.

At a quick glance, they have done absolutely nothing! Plus the window has been broken again. My count is over 5 times now. As I stated before, I would not live in that corner unit if you paid me. There needs to be some sort of privacy wall, height difference from the street, or metal bars over the window.

The building itself isn't that bad, but they could have put an ounce of effort in to match the neighborhood's feel. Just because the colors are ugly and they used corrugated siding doesn't mean that it's artistic.

I make sure to eat at a NoDa or Plaza Midwood restaurant once a week and I'm always surprised how few of the patrons are from the neighborhood. Cabo does amazing business any day of the week, but the majority of other restaurants only thrive on Gallery Crawl or when big(ger) acts play the Neighborhood Theater.

The thing that amazes me the most about NoDa is that there is no "pretty" way to get to it. Meaning, anytime a friend visits, they are scared out of their wits by the time they get to 36th and Davidson. Belmont, the Plaza, and north Tryon are all a bit on the rough side. While I have lived around and in much worse, my southern friends think I am in the heart of some gang war laden ghetto.

The Optimist Park/Belmont projects will improve the entire area and could create a corridor of "safe" from city center. But then I'm reminded of my Charlotte native co-workers that wouldn't consider living in uptown because of the "rampant crime" and "all of the people just sitting at the bus stops". I guess the concept of a mixed income neighborhood is just too uncomfortable for those raised in the Burbs. Comfortable and safe are two very different concepts that seem to be confused.

::Sorry for the rant, I just am amazed how taken aback some southerners are when they visit my 'hood. I'm not denying that there are rough characters around, rather just surprised that they couldn't consider a person of different (read: lower) soc-ec class a neighbor.::

[NoDa (N Davidson St Arts District) Projects]

Oh, is that what happened? I'm actually glad to hear it was a wreck because I thought they boarded it because of vandals.

I feel bad for whoever movess into that unit. The window has been broken at least 3 times. I think it's just too close to the intersection of Wesley and 36th. I know I'd rather be further from the road in height and depth!

[NoDa (N Davidson St Arts District) Projects]

BTW, did anyone else see the Impala that drove into Noda18's corner unit? The car went all the way through the window and the trunk was even with the window frame!

[NoDa (N Davidson St Arts District) Projects]

I drove by the other day and Wesley Corners and Noda18 are both very far along. They are putting facade touches on Noda18. It is an interesting looking project. They use corrugated metal in a unique way.

Noda18 appears to be very close to being finished. They held an open house last weekend, which did not appear to be too successful. The final color choices for the building have not been popular (orange, grey, black, brick). I'm guessing they were trying to be different when they changed from the original tan/white color scheme. Also, Wesley Corner has been completed and fully rented out for around 9 months!