2015 UCP Annual Report

2015 has been exceptional for University City and University City Partners, as our fresh-off-the-digital presses “2015 Annual Report” makes clear with exclamation marks! The report chronicles the opening of I-485, rapid progress on the LYNX light-rail line, strong employment growth and much more – and the critical role UCP has played to speed the transformation of Charlotte’s No. 2 employment center into the region’s New Urban Center.

University City highlights for 2014-15 include:

• I-485 – We celebrated the long-awaited I-485 Outer Belt opening through University City, a top priority for UCP Boards since our inception.
• Light rail – Construction progressed rapidly on our $1.1 billion light-rail line to Center City, on schedule to open in 2017. UCP worked with North Tryon Street businesses dealing with construction concerns and shared frequent construction updates with the public.
• Business growth – Numerous University Research Park businesses announced major expansions and new hires. Our staff worked closely with businesses and brokers seeking information on possible locations and services, affirming University City as a preferred market for business and new development.
• Live-work areas – One of the region’s premier developers completed the first phase of Crescent Alexander Village, a mixed-use community within University Research Park. The project’s location was proposed in the URP Area Plan that UCP funded and Charlotte adopted in 2010.
• Walkable urban center – A vital update to the University City Area Plan won Charlotte City Council approval this spring. UCP funded and promoted the original 2017 area plan, which provides a blueprint for creating a walkable urban community along the North Tryon Street light-rail corridor. The update revises the original plan to match the final light-rail station locations and reflects the experiences learned from development along Charlotte’s original Blue Line to south Charlotte.
• Website update – UCP recently launched its updated website. The site continues to provide a rich collection of actionable data for commercial real estate brokers and developers, while reflecting our growing role as the go-to place for community news about University City growth, events and things to do.

Coming next

Check our 2015 Annual Report for more details on last year’s accomplishments and plans for 2016 – many of them focused on our coming light-rail line, UNC Charlotte (which just topped 28,000 students!), and growing our business centers. We are proud to serve Charlotte as we envision and build this great University City.

• READ / DOWNLOAD the annual report