fz dogmother

Thanks for that rendering aptman! I'll study it carefully, since I'll be looking at it directly for a long time to come!

Ditto, DAC, this is exactly what I mean by "in the loop," as there is so little public information about this project, especially as this phase of construction is quickly "going vertical." Yes, aptman, we're aware that the "bunker" is a garage and will be surrounded by midrise stacked units. But we know little else. And with our small corner of Elizabeth about to substantially increase in size- over 200 residents- those of us who live and own nearby are eager to become acquainted with this project- its architectural style, floor plans, target market, etc. One only has to read this board to be more familiar with other area projects that are still in the planning or preconstruction phase. It also seems to me that the commuters who see this project going up might be interested in learning about what's happening, too. Maybe they might like to shorten their commute, who knows? At any rate, as they say at Emil Faber College, "knowledge is good." I think knowing a little more about this project would be a good thing, not only as an across-the-street future neighbor, but just in general.

While we're on the subject of trees, I would like to see the developers of the Woodfield/Elizabeth project on Hawthorne band the several remaining grand old oak trees. Those trees have been limbed-up, and with the stress of drought and construction, I'm worried that canker worms will finish them off. To those who read these posts and who have a vested interest in the Woodfield/Elizabeth project, I say the following: We are your neighbors, and we are watching what you do as well as listening to what you say! We'd appreciate being brought into the loop- as opposed to having to respond, "I don't know" when asked the question, "Hey what's with that bunker going up across the street from you guys?" Now I wonder when or if those trees will be banded?

Ohmigosh, I had to see it to believe it. And there it was, in this week's CL, just as voyager said. Although "discriminating" is technically ok, it's a probably a poor word choice. IMO, it would be well-advised to steer clear of any word with "discriminate" as its root, especially in a real estate advertisement, as the word "discriminatory" actually connotes an illegal practice. Who writes this stuff anyway? Worse, who edits? Discerning.... yes, something the writers of the ad needed to be prior to submitting this ad. Hope they subscribe to UP!

Good lookin' new avatar, atlrvr! Thanks for the update, aptman. And (yay) I think the access will be a good thing for all. As I said in a prior post, condo-mania has its grip on uptown, at least. I remain convinced that thoughtful, forward-thinking planning that takes into account a vertical, and not just horizontal, socioeconomic community, is the real deal. It's also conducive, to my way of thinking, when nurturing a "creative class" without artificial inducements. Apologies to Richard Florida.

Thanks, Atlrvr! I appreciate the lesson in zoning. Besides enjoying reading the posts, I'm learning something here! This project, as I understand it, was originally intended to become condominiums, and my fellow neighborhood condo residents and I were somewhat concerned when we learned these were to be apartments instead. We've heard, however, that they will be well-constructed and nicely designed. I hope this is the case, and I hope those who are in the know will soon fill the rest of us in on the streetscape and traffic access plans. It seems I read a while back on one of these threads an impassioned plea for apartment housing in a city that seems to have condo-mania. And when one walks around the Elizabeth 'hood (as the babydog and I often do) it appears one strength of this great old neighborhood was its inclusion of mixed housing styles and sizes. So don't think my concerns are just about the end-use here, but more about preserving the strength, value, and visual appeal of the Elizabeth neighborhood as it marches closer toward Central Ave. and The Plaza. The babydog and I think it's one of the neatest places to live in Charlotte, and we'd like for it to continue to riff on its eclectic, progressive character without succumbing to boring boxiness.

Yes, it's exciting to see the big crane and heavy equipment around the construction site and feel the condo rattle with each new load of gravel dumped, but as a neighbor directly across the street from the Woodfield Elizabeth project there are a couple of concerns I hope will soon be addressed by the developer. First, I'd like to know the the point(s) of ingress and egress from the apartments. The Hawthorne Avenue side that lies adjacent to the bridge was the former driveway for Party Reflections. Is this also to be the entrance into the parking deck? I am concerned that the addition of 200+ vehicles could pose some logistical nightmares for those vehicles traveling & turning on Hawthorne Lane. For one thing, the sight line is limited for those traveling toward Central Avenue. The city has also recently reduced the number of lanes and added additional on-street parking (a good thing), but I wonder if the developer's plan takes this into account. Next, I'd like to know something about the streetscape planned for the development along Hawthorne Lane. I think this corridor is important, as it visually links the 2 "halves" of Elizabeth and it connects to Central Ave., Plaza/Midwood and Commonwealth. I guess the bottom line is this: do neighboring homeowners or the general public get an opportunity to preview or offer input on these plans? Or is it the developer's world and we just live in it? I didn't live here when the rezoning occurred, but I do know the property was sold after the original plans to develop were scrapped. I'm not an "insider," just Josie Q. Public, so I'm just asking.....

Ditto ditto! Any answers yet? How many new apt. or condo units does that add up to for Liz? Let's see.... new Woodfield Elizabeth, Laurel Ridge, 2 condo projects off 8th Street (forgot names...sorry). Sounds like we will have a lot more new neighbors in Elizabeth before long. . .

The Whole Foods thing really sucks big time. The promise of Whole Foods being so close was actually one reason I relocated to Elizabeth from upstate. The demographics argument seems to me flimsy, at best, particularly with so much infill development happening all around Liz, Plaza-Midwood, and Queens Road. Not to mention the proximity to the hospitals AND uptown. Whether the bean-counters factor non-resident workers into the equation, I believe there are lots of folks who would avail themselves of the convenience of lunch or dinner takeout from Whole Foods. Has anyone studied that, I wonder? Strange thing, I lived in a residential area of Winston-Salem from 2000-2004, much like Elizabeth, but much less populated, within one mile of 2 HTs, a Fresh Market AND a Whole Foods. Believe me, Winston is a smaller market, so it really makes me question the machinations on the part of the WF company and the developers. Was WF playing some sort of incentives match with South Park and Liz on opposite sides? Has anyone actually received a reply from WF? If so, what do they say?

Curiosity got the best of me today.... so I walked across the street & spoke w/ grading contractor, who said project would feature 2 midrise units w/ below-grade parking garage in-between. He also said they were to be condos, but I wonder if he knows. Looked on KivaNet to no avail. Where would the plans be, I wonder? The neighbors are all curious. Plus with 300 or so new residents, maybe Whole Foods might rethink? Just dreaming.......

Thanks to everyone who helped clear up my confusion about the Faison and Conformity Corp. sites. I heard, too, that Conformity Corp. had sold its site, but have no idea to whom. Meanwhile that lot is looking more and more scruffy, with weeds the size of small trees. To whom would one direct a request to do something about that, I wonder? Also, dubone wrote: How certain IS the streetcar project? I searched the charmeck/CATS transportation site, but aside from a proposed system map, I could find nothing to indicate it's a done deal. I've heard that the line WILL run as far up as Presby, but after that? It also appeared to me that this project is far from its full funding, so I'm wondering how realistic it is to expect the streetcar will be up and running by 2011? If I've missed something here, which is a distinct possibility, I apologize for my ignorance of where the streetcar project stands. I'm both a newbie and an outsider to the "scoop," but I am devoted to being a part of my community, as well as a devotee of an urban (more walking, less driving, more time for the dog, etc) lifestyle. Guess I'm concerned about how/when/whether these projects will coelesce, especially as the weeds continue to grow... I'm glad to hear, tho, that Whole Foods is moving along. It's that type of enterprise, that IMHO is often the catalyst for other good things to follow.

Glad I checked the forum before the next HOA meeting at Hawthorne Bridge Court. I've been breathing a lot of concrete dust here recently on Hawthorne Lane with no clue that the Party Reflections site wasn't a part of Conformity Corps.' High Street project. If I read A2's post correctly, do I understand that the combined Faison & Conformity Corps.' projects will top out at around 300 new units? Yikes! I wonder where all these new folks shop for little things like groceries? And when will that elusive Whole Foods ever get built? Seems a lot more thought is put into housing than infrastructure. Oops, I forgot... better to make a buck than a community. Can someone please straighten me out as to where these projects stand in terms of projected completion dates? I'd like to pass along this info to my buds at Hawthorne Court, where we're beginning to feel a bit dwarfed by this looming construction.

Note on the Party Reflections site being developed by Conformity Corp. It now appears to have a name: High Street. Lifted from the Conformity Corp. website: "High Street is a unique project that features single family homes, townhomes and condominum flats with secured parking. Perfectly situated on 3.47 acres between the historic Elizabeth and Plaza-Midwood neighborhoods, High Street