The 2018 opening of the Blue Line Extension between UNC Charlotte and Center City launched a massive reshaping of the North Tryon Street corridor in University City.
Look for these four public and private projects to focus that transformation on University Place over the next three to four years.

J.W. Clay Boulevard streetscape

Map of J.W. Clay Blvd. streetscape improvements

Construction of a major pedestrian- and bike-friendly overhaul of J.W. Clay Boulevard through University Place is expected to start in late summer of 2021.

The $12.9 million streetscape project will significantly improve this key artery for all modes of transportation, including pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle and transit.

Main improvements will include completing and widening sidewalks, redoing roadways and medians to accommodate bike lanes, adding a planting strip and street trees, and constructing a two-way separated cycle path between the JW Clay Blvd LYNX Station and Doug Mayes Place.

• For more streetscape details and updates, visit the project website.
• Watch a 2016 video showing the planned roadway transformation (some details have changed, but the video is still fascinating).

I-85 North Bridge and Barton Creek Greenway

The I-85 North Bridge will include a two-lane road and a two-lane bicycle path

The cycle path, providing a bike lane in each direction, will continue across I-85 and into University Research Park via a related road project, the I-85 North Bridge. Construction on that project is expected to start in spring 2021.

Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County is nearing completion on the long-awaited Barton Creek Greenway from JW Clay Boulevard to the Mallard Creek Greenway.

Once the new greenway opens, University Place will have direct access to 9-plus miles of greenways through UNC Charlotte, University Research Park and several neighborhoods.

• Read our report on the I-85 North Bridge.
• Visit the I-85 North Bridge and Barton Creek Greenway websites.

Waters Edge University Place

Waters Edge will include a lakeside park.

The three city and county projects coincide with the start of a major private transformation of 20 acres of office, retail and residential development along the lake at University Place

Developer EB Arrow expects to begin construction this spring on the first phase of Waters Edge, which will include a 182,000-square-foot, five-story office building near the main bridge; a 2.5-acre linear waterfront park; and more than 300 apartments.

The developer is negotiating with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library on possibly relocating the University City Regional Library into a two-story space along the waterfront.

Crescent Communities will build Novel University Place

Construction will start on Phase I once four major retailers move from their current buildings on the site into space being refurbished by EB Arrow on the far side of JW Clay Boulevard.

Crescent Communities will build the 308-home Novel University Place apartment community next to the waterfront park.

Crescent has 18 Novel communities throughout Charlotte and the Southeast, including Novel Research Park, at West Mallard Creek Church Road and Senator Royall Place.

• Visit the recently updated Waters Edge website.