Ballantyne

[NCMike1990]

Some new webcams have been added for Ballantyne Reimagined Phase 2. https://app.oxblue.com/?openlink=Rodgers-Builders/Ballantyne-Reimagined

One of the cameras has a clear view of the uptown skyline. I'm excited to see the progress.

 

[go_vertical]

Pretty solid resolution too. 

[Hushpuppy321]

Ballantyne Updates:

1. Townhomes Project on Elm Lane @ Endhaven Lane  has begun Clearing & Grubbing Operations following the Building Teardown 

2. Reimagined Phase 1 - OMB Building continues construction, as does the Two (2) Single Story Retail Buildings (Adjacent to the Aloft Hotel) and the 26 Story Apartment Tower going Vertical (need a Tower Crane soon, maybe in the next 30 to 60 Days) as additional foundation work continues.

3. Major Greenway Improvements/Connections to the Existing Four Mile Greenway is ongoing in the Reimagined Phase 3 Area.  Not informed of the specific requirements but this could’ve been a Condition Required for Public Investment in the Reimagined as a whole.  New Greenway path has been paved, Sidewalks Widened, Bridge Lanes Re-Designated for Pedestrians (Bridge over Johnston), Retaining Wall Built, New Steel Greenway Bridge, etc.  They seem to be using the bridge to cross McAlpine Creek to connect to the Four Mile Greenway.

Check Out the photos I’ve attached.  

[InSouthPark]

Wow on the greenway connection progress! This is what happens when private does a job, takes 1/4 of the time (and probably 1/2 the cost).  Just a few months ago they started clearing trees.   While I am still sitting here waiting for my approved neighborhood greenway connection to even get started for 3+ years....

[turbocraig]

Was supposed to meet my parents and visiting aunt and uncle at the new AC hotel tower tonight for drinks but stomach bug keeping me home.  My dad sent me this pic he took when they went there with some friends last week.  Can’t wait to check it out!  The view from the inside is definitely better than the view of the outside. 

[go_vertical]

What a great vantage point for a skyline photo.  Once the South End development matures a bit and a few projects on the north side of uptown kick off then a shot from this angle will really start to give off a midtown/downtown Atlanta vibe. 

[eastsider]

The Greenway Connecting Bridge is now in place.

[kayman]

On 3/31/2023 at 1:44 PM, InSouthPark said:

Wow on the greenway connection progress! This is what happens when private does a job, takes 1/4 of the time (and probably 1/2 the cost).  Just a few months ago they started clearing trees.   While I am still sitting here waiting for my approved neighborhood greenway connection to even get started for 3+ years....

One of the main reasons why it takes so long is public sector must follow the law and internal procurement practices including right-of-way and easements acquisitions down to a tee, especially in Mecklenburg County.  Private sector can literally cut a check, hire engineering firm, finalize a design, and begin construction of the greenway extension. Much simpler streamlined processes can be accomplished when it's all private.

[DJ8hep]

Some updates on this cold rainy day!

[DJ8hep]

Some updates on this cold rainy day!

[15895]

Not just the last post but the last several pages are really, really good updates and photos.

I lived in Ballantyne before (7 years ago) and I honestly loved the greenways and the greenery and it looks like what I liked most about Ballantyne is getting better. I liked living in Atkins Circle. 

I actually want to visit soon again just to enjoy the greenways and such. It’s not very urban or anything but I love Ballantyne for what it is. 

[JRCLT]

Not just the last post but the last several pages are really, really good updates and photos.
I lived in Ballantyne before (7 years ago) and I honestly loved the greenways and the greenery and it looks like what I liked most about Ballantyne is getting better. I liked living in Atkins Circle. 
I actually want to visit soon again just to enjoy the greenways and such. It’s not very urban or anything but I love Ballantyne for what it is. 

Lived there too! I agree it’s beautiful for what is!

[Reverie39]

What is the status of a potential extension of the Blue Line to Ballantyne? Is this something we are expecting to happen at some point, and if so when? Within the next 5-10 years?

Looking increasingly like Ballantyne will be a hotspot that needs transit connections to the rest of the city. 

[Matthew.Brendan]

Pretty sure they were talking about the Silver Line 10 years ago, so…. yeah good luck getting rail to Ballantyne in the first half of this century. 

[kermit]

On 4/7/2023 at 8:12 PM, Reverie39 said:

What is the status of a potential extension of the Blue Line to Ballantyne? Is this something we are expecting to happen at some point, and if so when? Within the next 5-10 years?

Looking increasingly like Ballantyne will be a hotspot that needs transit connections to the rest of the city. 

Last estimates I saw from CATS (which assumed sales tax was approved last year) was Btyne extension in 2040. (that slowness renders the extension pretty pointless in terms of shaping land use).

This will sound ridiculous but I firmly believe that the city could find enough money in its couch cushions to pay for a four person crew to start clearing the portions of this ROW that the public already owns. This, along with getting Northwood and whoever owns Carolina Place Mall on board with beginning some of site work necessary for the alignment should allow for some tangible (and visible) progress on some low-key civil engineering (drainage and retaining work) and utility relocation work. While they might not make a ton of progress it at least gives developers some confidence that rail is coming and provides some evidence to the Feds that we are committed to the project and deserve funding. Honestly, at the scale of the city budget the PR value of doing this would certainly outweigh the actual cost. Some token gestures to show we support transit expansion would certainly represent more progress than we are making now.

This delay is doubly ridiculous since it is a pretty straightforward project. There are a few wetland / floodplain issues and its gotta cross over 485, but otherwise this is the putput golf course of Light Rail construction (no tricky land ownership issues, neighbors all want it, only one nasty freight RR crossing, no need for another equipment service center)

Edited April 9, 2023 by kermit

[Desert Power]

20 hours ago, Reverie39 said:

What is the status of a potential extension of the Blue Line to Ballantyne? Is this something we are expecting to happen at some point, and if so when? Within the next 5-10 years?

Looking increasingly like Ballantyne will be a hotspot that needs transit connections to the rest of the city. 

I'd guess this takes about 30 years.

Edited April 8, 2023 by Desert Power

[kayman]

On 4/8/2023 at 12:26 PM, kermit said:

Last estimates I saw from CATS (which assumed sales tax was approved last year) was Btyne extension in 2040. (that slowness renders the extension pretty pointless in terms of shaping land use).

This will sound ridiculous but I firmly believe that the city could find enough money in its couch cushions to pay for a four person crew to start clearing the portions of this ROW that the public already owns. This, along with getting Northwood and whoever owns Carolina Place Mall on board with beginning some of site work necessary for the alignment should allow for some tangible (and visible) progress on some low-key civil engineering (drainage and retaining work) and utility relocation work. While they might not make a ton of progress it at least gives developers some confidence that rail is coming and provides some evidence to the Feds that we are committed to the project and deserve funding. Honestly, at the scale of the city budget the PR value of doing this would certainly outweigh the actual cost. Some token gestures to show we support transit expansion would certainly represent more progress than we are making now.

This delay is doubly ridiculous since it is a pretty straightforward project. There are a few wetland / floodplain issues and its gotta cross over 485, but otherwise this is the putput golf course of Light Rail construction (no tricky land ownership issues, neighbors all want it, only one nasty freight RR crossing, no need for another equipment service center)

Brookfield Properties (formerly General Growth Properties/GGP) owns Carolina Place mall

[rancenc]

New dining options coming to the Ballantyne area.

https://www.qcnews.com/charlotte/ballantyne/these-three-food-and-drink-establishments-are-coming-to-ballantyne/

[KJHburg]

The Charlotte Ledger said this morning this 26 story apartment tower would be completed by Fall of 2024.   That will be the new tallest in the Ballantyne area.  Rendering from here  https://www.goballantyne.com/ballantyne-reimagined     That new tower will really help just start all the retail there in the Bowl.  They also mention new office planned right now which makes sense.  

and I see a crane planted in this OxBlue cam

https://app.oxblue.com/cameras/0bfc65b96fcaf206ded89291e4a0d420?openlink=Rodgers-Builders/Ballantyne-Reimagined

 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by KJHburg

[DJ8hep]

This project is really turning out to be amazing… I finally got to see the bandshell up close!

 

[Desert Power]

That pedestrian bridge looks awesome

[DJ8hep]

From Hestia tonight!

 

[KJHburg]

I call it like I see it.  This new Ballantyne Reimagined is just great looking.  They are putting in grid system of streets.  Lots of retail lots of residential along with all their office buildings.  Every great city has a great suburban center and this is Charlotte's along with Southpark.  My fears of the hotel looking into other buildings was unwarranted as the Stream Park is very large and they are restoring the stream.   Kudos to Northwoods!  Walking paths and the new connection to the existing greenway system is looking great. The amphitheater looks good too. 

Ballantyne Reimagined today.  Parking garage for new apartments going up and retail buildings going up.  The amount of infrastructure is unbelievable with all the new roads, bridges, pathways etc.   Lot of photos but I don't get down that way all the time.  The kids play area was very tempting but according to the sign I was slightly over the age of their intended users. 

https://www.goballantyne.com/ballantyne-reimagined    Yes it will be and is becoming a great place to walk or bike ride.  

[Desert Power]

This is what should happen to more golf courses.

[KJHburg]

1 hour ago, Desert Power said:

This is what should happen to more golf courses.

I think the golfers would disagree.  Many golf courses have closed in this region over the years and been redeveloped.  But golf has had a big rebound in rounds so it is not going anywhere and most of the courses we have will stay.  There hasn't been a new course built in this region in years.