Charlotte area "ring cities"

[A2.]

1 minute ago, King of the Queen City said:

Kannapolis and Salisbury would be good options once Gateway Station opens. You could hop on the Amtrak and be Uptown in about 30 minutes from Kannapolis or 45 minutes from Salisbury. It’s not so easy with the current station though since connecting to an Uptown-bound CATS bus requires dangerously darting across N. Tryon with no crosswalk or sidewalks.

I’m definitely a fan of Salisbury. Seemingly far, but not really. Plus it’s got a great downtown and Main Street that still gives me a great vibe of times gone by. 

[KJHburg]

1 minute ago, A2. said:

I’m definitely a fan of Salisbury. Seemingly far, but not really. Plus it’s got a great downtown and Main Street that still gives me a great vibe of times gone by. 

Not far once the widening of I-85 is complete I think next year from Kannapolis south of Salisbury.  Southern Rowan county is really starting to grow now.    Kannapolis is  city on the rise with a complete new downtown with ballpark, older buildings mixed with new apartments and a brewery.  

[A2.]

Plus the housing is markedly cheaper and full of character. I love the Victorian and Old Queen Anne style homes that litter that town. I just saw a sweet house sale for $140k that was simply stunning just off of Main Street with wrap around porch and all the bells and whistles. Granted it might have needed a little work but it was 2600 square feet and a $140k!

$140k!!!!! 

 

[KJHburg]

Prices are really low in Salisbury for sure and Gastonia prices are good  too.  Prices fall off in this area once you are Plus 1 county away from Charlotte that means Rowan, Stanly, Cleveland etc. or northern Iredell, eastern Union etc.  

[King of the Queen City]

8 minutes ago, A2. said:

I’m definitely a fan of Salisbury. Seemingly far, but not really. Plus it’s got a great downtown and Main Street that still gives me a great vibe of times gone by. 

From the 3rd annual Cheerwine Festival:

[A2.]

^Nice shots KOTQC! Seeing the train reminds me that Spencer isn’t far up the street either. I did a small run on a Steamer way back when at the Transportation Museum. A ton of train enthusiasts flocked to that town from all over just for the opportunity to ride and step back in time. Small town America for sure, but just another reason why CharlotteUSA has a ton to offer within a quick trip up the road. 

A2

Edited July 11, 2019 by A2.

[rockhilljames]

How great would it be if all these towns were connected by rail? I remember taking the train from Harrisburg to Philadelphia and going through these really neat towns between them.

[A2.]

1 hour ago, rockhilljames said:

How great would it be if all these towns were connected by rail? I remember taking the train from Harrisburg to Philadelphia and going through these really neat towns between them.

Hub and spoke transit baby! Game Changer!!!  

 

A2

[SgtCampsalot]

As a native of Matthews I actually have not been to downtown Mint-Hill (short of driving up Lawyers Rd sometimes) in probably about 15 years. So, having just come from a dental appointment down there, I have to say it is a shame how development has gone in that area. Everything is exactly what you would see in the South Charlotte suburbs, save for a brief stretch out trail alongside that nice townhome community - next to the strip mall... 

I know it's a lot to ask,,, Granted, it would always been tricky since its main Street, Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, is a highway strip, and the entire area is very rural/dispersed in nature, but I always had hope the old town areas would give way to good town development. Maybe one day down by Bain School Rd or Wilgrove

 

 

[Windsurfer]

17 minutes ago, SgtCampsalot said:

As a native of Matthews I actually have not been to downtown Mint-Hill (short of driving up Lawyers Rd sometimes) in probably about 15 years. So, having just come from a dental appointment down there, I have to say it is a shame how development has gone in that area. Everything is exactly what you would see in the South Charlotte suburbs, save for a brief stretch out trail alongside that nice townhome community - next to the strip mall... 

I know it's a lot to ask,,, Granted, it would always been tricky since its main Street, Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, is a highway strip, and the entire area is very rural/dispersed in nature, but I always had hope the old town areas would give way to good town development. Maybe one day down by Bain School Rd or Wilgrove

 

 

It IS a lot to ask.  The only planning that happens in our outlying areas is who gets what piece of the pie.  It's the same all around Charlotte, except for maybe Davidson.  Even Davidson is having some real battles with developers.  Actually, it's the same all over The US unless the area surrounding a city is protected already by State or National parks.  We're very short-sighted in this country.

[SgtCampsalot]

It's the truth, I would have the same feelings toward any of the other towns in the region if I had a personal connection to it, such is life

[KJHburg]

Here is one of my favorite towns or cities around the ring of Charlotte.   From the self proclaimed Lord of the Ring Cities (see another thread about that)   I present the town of Waxhaw.  A new 245 unit apartment complex by far the towns largest is under construction just 2 blocks from downtown and the RR tracks.  Developed by a Greensboro developer doing other complexes in ring towns and cities around the QC like in Mooresville, Indian Trail and Concord.    Spend a day or afternoon in Waxhaw great restaurants, unique shopping, some nice parks just small town charm.

Lots of photos of Waxhaw.  

 

[videtur quam contuor]

Stewart Village Gallery is a wonderful place for unique gifts and craft items of high quality. Potter and jewelery couple started it decades ago and still run it and I recommend it highly. I always stop there when I am in town.

[KJHburg]

from the self appointed Lord of the Ring Cities I visit Concord this afternoon.

Various shots of downtown Concord, restored mills, infill houses and how a parking garage can look good.  Today downtown Concord. That is solar panels atop the parking garage too. 

Come out Tuesday at the Grand Opening of Krispy Kreme's new location on Concord Mills Blvd you know I will be there!  

 

[videtur quam contuor]

Years ago I would go to Concord for Lineberger BBQ and it was right across the street from the Cabarrus Creamery, and I mean a real dairy plant. The Creamery had  six sided windows in their office building facing the street. There were several Lineberger BBQ places and may have been differing parts of the family. Linebergers are all round that area.

Lineberger BBQ restaurant had plastic ashtrays that had printed on the bottom of the ash area: "Lineberger: Bar-b-Q, Real estate, Used Cars". A little conglomerate 

This place:

https://www.thecreameryconcord.com/history

[tozmervo]

@KJHburg is getting the finishing touches ready for tomorrow's grand opening

[KJHburg]

^^^ and that is not me camping out but I will be there around 10 am to see how is going and buy a dozen or 5 dozen

[rancenc]

Small residential rehab project in downtown Salisbury

https://www.salisburypost.com/2019/06/23/high-end-apartments-to-come-to-salisburys-city-center/

[KJHburg]

Yes even Kannapolis has a crane at the new apartments next to their new under construction baseball stadium downtown.  This is  ring city to watch in the next few years for sure. 

[KJHburg]

also was out in Mt Holly today visiting my friends shop. Jack Beagles in downtown Mt Holly getting ready to open there finally.  Friend said Mt Holly, Belmont, Cramerton and soon Gastonia all have nice clocks downtown.  This is the Mt Holly clock that I had not noticed before.  

[videtur quam contuor]

At a time when everyone has a computer in his and her pocket the presence of a public clock has symbolic function unrelated to time of day. Semiotics of public timekeeping.

[King of the Queen City]

I know this is a ring cities thread, but speaking of clocks...

[KJHburg]

GoBanking ranks the best suburbs in every state and large metro area in the state the best for Charlotte  Cabarrus County's Harrisburg.

https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/real-estate/best-suburb-in-every-state/#34

[KJHburg]

One of my favorite ring cities Mooresville is adding 90 apartments in a 120 year old mill downtown.  and the downtown is pretty vibrant now with shops and restaurants.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/08/13/photos-how-this-plan-to-transform-old-mill-site-in.html

[videtur quam contuor]

Sox years ago I tried to go to lunch in downtown Mooresville Main Street on a weekday.  It was not possible. Things have changed quite a bit in a short time.