Plaza-Midwood Projects (Central, Commonwealth, The Plaza)

[AltNative]

4 hours ago, go_vertical said:

Well, that rattles my nerves a little bit.  If great care isn't taken to make sure a project here fits into its surroundings properly and really contributes to a sense of place for the whole neighborhood then I fear we could be looking at another Dimensional Fund-style travesty.

do we hate the DFA building? Because I LOVE that building. Its one of the best looking buildings in the city  bar none

[CTiger]

35 minutes ago, AltNative said:

do we hate the DFA building? Because I LOVE that building. Its one of the best looking buildings in the city  bar none

The comp likely has more to do with what DFA replaced.  Common Market, Black Sheep, some older brick buildings, and a lot that housed food truck Fridays.  That lot used to be a big part of Southend before Southend was what it is today, which is why DFA was controversial when it went up.

The strip being talked about here houses some very popular businesses in Plaza Midwood (Legion,  Okra, Undercurrent) and is a nice pedestrian friendly area that the community enjoys.  To lose it would be to lose a big chunk of Plaza Midwood's identity (or whats left of it).

[go_vertical]

4 hours ago, AltNative said:

do we hate the DFA building? Because I LOVE that building. Its one of the best looking buildings in the city  bar none

I don't hate the building.  It's actually quite nice.  My issue is that the old CM, Black Sheep, etc buildings had a more textural and warm feel.  The block felt like it was more a part of a neighborhood.  What is there now is so bland, stark, cold, and soulless IMHO.  Maybe it's just me but it seems like a spot that never has any warm bodies hanging around.  Sure, it's a nice structure, but to me it has a very diminished sense of place now and despite what was told to the public before construction began I don't think they made even the slightest attempt to contribute to the feel of the surrounding neighborhood.

[SpiritOf76]

5 hours ago, CTiger said:

The comp likely has more to do with what DFA replaced.  Common Market, Black Sheep, some older brick buildings, and a lot that housed food truck Fridays.  That lot used to be a big part of Southend before Southend was what it is today, which is why DFA was controversial when it went up.

The strip being talked about here houses some very popular businesses in Plaza Midwood (Legion,  Okra, Undercurrent) and is a nice pedestrian friendly area that the community enjoys.  To lose it would be to lose a big chunk of Plaza Midwood's identity (or whats left of it).

So this means we could potentially lose some of the buildings on this strip? It is huge in terms of whatever identity remains. Would they tear down the edison as well and build taller? I always thought from edison to the plaza as having a friendly neighborhood vibe with some history and identity.  Whenever i walk by I always envision (although not sure it could happen) some smaller buildings built against Independence in that back area.. like a sub neighborhood with small scale bars /shops interconnected within that back area. Truly intimate area within the hard borders of independence and commonwealth ave. Maybe close that dead end part of the plaza, hang some string lights, have a local bar back that way and create a more intimate, small scale experience for the neighborhood... I just see this strip as having potential for small scale, intimate development to further strengthen the overall neighborhood as a whole. I think alleyways and businesses hidden away back there as an interesting concept to draw people in...

[carolinaboy]

Does anyone have any recent pictures of the Plaza-Midwood mixed-use development under construction they can share?

[CarolinaCrown]

1 hour ago, carolinaboy said:

Does anyone have any recent pictures of the Plaza-Midwood mixed-use development under construction they can share?

Where exactly is this? I'll try and get some drone shots this weekend.

[carolinaboy]

16 minutes ago, CarolinaCrown said:

Where exactly is this? I'll try and get some drone shots this weekend.

Looks like it's bounded by Central Ave, Pecan Ave and some train tracks.

[willdarden]

14 hours ago, SpiritOf76 said:

So this means we could potentially lose some of the buildings on this strip? It is huge in terms of whatever identity remains. Would they tear down the edison as well and build taller? I always thought from edison to the plaza as having a friendly neighborhood vibe with some history and identity.  Whenever i walk by I always envision (although not sure it could happen) some smaller buildings built against Independence in that back area.. like a sub neighborhood with small scale bars /shops interconnected within that back area. Truly intimate area within the hard borders of independence and commonwealth ave. Maybe close that dead end part of the plaza, hang some string lights, have a local bar back that way and create a more intimate, small scale experience for the neighborhood... I just see this strip as having potential for small scale, intimate development to further strengthen the overall neighborhood as a whole. I think alleyways and businesses hidden away back there as an interesting concept to draw people in...

You all bring up great points. I am not sure yet if White Point is anticipating a big new project or thoughtful adaptive reuse. They did a killer job with Optimist Hall and maybe could do something cool that integrates all those old low rise buildings that house Legion, Okra, Undercurrent, etc. There is also a surprising amount of vacant land between those buildings and independence that is underutilized, though I’m not sure if they own all the way to the NCDOT right of way. Will be one of the more valuable, prominent parcels in the city when the Silver Line station is put there at some point.

 

But 100% agree that it will be important for whatever comes to be very thoughtfully planned out!

[KJHburg]

Had lunch in Plaza Midwood and here are shots from Commonwealth and the new townhomes at Van Landingham Estate.  Plus some new ones by UM .  Okay the last photos are Villa Heights I guess.; 

[KJHburg]

The Charlotte Ledger did a great video with their partners on the Commonwealth project.  

 

[atlrvr]

18 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Had lunch in Plaza Midwood and here are shots from Commonwealth and the new townhomes at Van Landingham Estate.  Plus some new ones by UM .  Okay the last photos are Villa Heights I guess.; 

 

 

@KJHburg Where are these exactly?  I can't place them.  They look like they're at least a couple years old I guess.

[KJHburg]

39 minutes ago, atlrvr said:

@KJHburg Where are these exactly?  I can't place them.  They look like they're at least a couple years old I guess.

those are along Parkwood and the Plaza.  Off Plaza Row Court.  

[rancenc]

New retail has entered the Plaza-Midwood area.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-around-town/c5-development/article280395819.html

https://2ndstreetusa.com/

Edited October 17, 2023 by rancenc

[Third Strike]

Central Avenue, between Prospect Street and Louise Avenue, will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the next couple of months. This is because the overhead lines are planned to be buried:

https://www.wbtv.com/2023/11/21/cdot-section-central-avenue-be-partially-closed-months/?fbclid=IwAR1906XzpZwMi16qvhuEy1pQG5blg9hIKcfQa24an8OuOoczkTYaTTUoq3I_aem_Ac_E_dChFZ844RmqVDRDceKIMX6nXF2GjNlC8LOBOeCy4A-F76F0JRTgRB6qvET1AHE#lpar8m00b1h8i6kcvhg

[nicholas]

8 minutes ago, Third Strike said:

Central Avenue, between Prospect Street and Louise Avenue, will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the next couple of months. This is because the overhead lines are planned to be buried:

What!  I'm not even sure which of those is more surprising!

[Matthew.Brendan]

Would love to know how that came about. Because it needs to be replicated all over the city. 

[RANYC]

On 11/23/2023 at 12:35 AM, Third Strike said:

Central Avenue, between Prospect Street and Louise Avenue, will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the next couple of months. This is because the overhead lines are planned to be buried:

https://www.wbtv.com/2023/11/21/cdot-section-central-avenue-be-partially-closed-months/?fbclid=IwAR1906XzpZwMi16qvhuEy1pQG5blg9hIKcfQa24an8OuOoczkTYaTTUoq3I_aem_Ac_E_dChFZ844RmqVDRDceKIMX6nXF2GjNlC8LOBOeCy4A-F76F0JRTgRB6qvET1AHE#lpar8m00b1h8i6kcvhg

Holy hell, how did this happen and how can it happen more often?

[Third Strike]

On 11/23/2023 at 7:59 AM, Matthew.Brendan said:

Would love to know how that came about. Because it needs to be replicated all over the city. 

 

On 11/25/2023 at 7:15 AM, RANYC said:

Holy hell, how did this happen and how can it happen more often?

Another article seems to indicate high rates of automobile crashes into utility lines as the main factor for the burial project. 
 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/central-ave-construction-wires/275-212258e5-8d71-4626-b7be-a6dbc753af77?fbclid=IwAR3YXfZTnGJLIiL4aUFO07aUYm3Y66uL3ZwqsJmttS-HHbTxEEE_tI4MjRs_aem_AXuQp8pgrUMP8aHYtFEtcCPwm5Kykv7yVteklxs1SVGsFQ6grb0W9LM7nstaiUUDyfg#lphrirv8lnnxxu9po48

[RANYC]

7 hours ago, Third Strike said:

 

Another article seems to indicate high rates of automobile crashes into utility lines as the main factor for the burial project. 
 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/central-ave-construction-wires/275-212258e5-8d71-4626-b7be-a6dbc753af77?fbclid=IwAR3YXfZTnGJLIiL4aUFO07aUYm3Y66uL3ZwqsJmttS-HHbTxEEE_tI4MjRs_aem_AXuQp8pgrUMP8aHYtFEtcCPwm5Kykv7yVteklxs1SVGsFQ6grb0W9LM7nstaiUUDyfg#lphrirv8lnnxxu9po48

So we need more pole crashes along South Boulevard, Freedom Drive, and North Tryon.  Got it.  I'm going to add, however, that perhaps some influential Plaza-based Duke executive purchased a home in close proximity...

Edited November 28, 2023 by RANYC

[Nathan2]

10 hours ago, Third Strike said:

 

Another article seems to indicate high rates of automobile crashes into utility lines as the main factor for the burial project. 
 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/traffic/central-ave-construction-wires/275-212258e5-8d71-4626-b7be-a6dbc753af77?fbclid=IwAR3YXfZTnGJLIiL4aUFO07aUYm3Y66uL3ZwqsJmttS-HHbTxEEE_tI4MjRs_aem_AXuQp8pgrUMP8aHYtFEtcCPwm5Kykv7yVteklxs1SVGsFQ6grb0W9LM7nstaiUUDyfg#lphrirv8lnnxxu9po48

We'll do anything but fix the problem. 

[Matthew.Brendan]

[Guest]

Lmao I’m glad we all thought the same thing reading that

[SpiritOf76]

[ArchiCLT]

On 11/28/2023 at 9:10 AM, Matthew.Brendan said:

This morning: S Tryon north of Tremont

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/south-end-street-shut-down-due-crash-involving-utility-pole/D3PLDBLPQJDABB4JWJH36MOSP4/

[CTiger]

Drove by and it looked like the office portion of the Commonwealth development has gone vertical.  Looked like steel construction to me, so maybe this one will go up pretty quickly.  Anyone have any photos?

Also just want to reiterate that this development looks fantastic and really feels like it is going to transform the area.  I'm really really excited for this to be fully built out.