Long known as the art district for Charlotte, most of Noda’s artists and galleries have moved out.  The LYNX brought renewed investment interest to this neighborhood of old mills and industrial trappings.  The community’s strong voice influenced distinguishable station finishes and pushed for more art, allowing its gritty, artistic vibe to live on.

A focus on art creating place, intentional placemaking, and adaptive reuse of mills and mill houses of an evolving neighborhood–What did Charlotte do right and what opportunities were missed?

Speakers:

10:06 am – Board LYNX to Sugar Creek Station. Walk to Station House

Before the LYNX, the Sugar Creek Station included an array of heavy industrial uses and housing for factory workers. Rough terrain and rugged edges begin to soften as bullish investment and opportunity zone incentives aim to revitalize place and bring new uses.

A focus on transitioning land use and the challenges in pursuing dramatic changes to existing fabric.

Speakers:

10:54 am – Board LYNX to JW Clay Blvd/UNC Charlotte Station. Walk to retail space at Clay Station Parking Deck. Directions

• Gret Verret, UNC Charlotte Marriot Hotel & Conference Center
• Greg Wattson, EB Arrow, Waters Edge at University Place

11:54 am – Board LYNX to Tom Hunter Station. Walk to Blu at Northline Apartments.  Directions

In 2013, The Arden Group rezoned property at the I-85 interchange at University City Boulevard for an automall to move a successful dealership north a mile+ to better access interstate commerce.

The property also happened to be in a transit station footprint. In 2014, new developer Jane Wu of Panorama Holdings (a UNC Charlotte alum), purchases adjacent properties and a new vision for the station gets traction.

Both The Arden Group and Panorama are working to build a There-There and have started construction on Charlotte’s second Top Golf and phase two of Panoramas’ multi-family. Future plans include an entertainment district, office buildings and a planned urban park.

Across I-85, Accesso Partners purchased Innovation Park and will develop 1million sf of office, 1,000 units of housing and main street retail to existing 1.5 million sf, 98% leased office park. In that same node, Shorenstein purchased a 500K sf light industrial building and land with plans to convert industrial to office and add housing.

Retrofitting auto-centric suburbia necessitates significant investments in infrastructure. Roads for grid and mobility options. Amenities (schools, parks, trails and libraries) to create strong mixed use centers.

A focus on collaborative development, creating mobility connections and options for now and the next decades, importance of parks, greenways, libraries and schools as anchor amenities.

 

Panel:

• Jane Wu, Panorama Holdings
• Stuart Parks and Jay Priester, The Arden Group, University City Station
• Brian Rosen, Accesso Partners
• John Lewis, CATS

Moderator: Deb Ryan, UNC Charlotte Arts and Architecture