LYNX ribbon-cutting ceremony at UNC Charlotte on Feb. 26

The LYNX light-rail trains open to the public on Friday, March 16, and we have several events to help you and your family enjoy this momentous event in the life of University City, including free rides for kids, free coffee and donuts for commuters, and St. Patrick’s Day special promotions at businesses near the North Tryon Street stations.

March 16

Ride LYNX to the University City Job Fair

11 am-2 pm near the University City Boulevard LYNX Station at the Camino Community Center, 133 Stetson Drive.

Looking for part-time, full-time or seasonal work? Come to the Camino Center to meet local employers and take advantage of several services including resume writing, career coaching and application stations.

The center is a short walk past the Waffle House Restaurant on Stetson Drive.

Registration is not required but is encouraged. CLICK for more details and to register.

For more help, contact Asia Smith at Asia.Smith@charlottenc.gov or 704-336-2118.

University City Partners, the Camino Community Center and the City of Charlotte are hosting the event.

March 17

Kids Ride the Train event (to St. Patrick’s Day Parade)

9-11 am at the JW Clay Boulevard Transit Station.

Bring the youngsters for an entertaining first train ride with Norm the Niner, the Chick-fil-A cow and Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Lug Nut.

Children under age 12 can ride for free.

We’ll have Light Rail buttons/stickers, free train whistles and healthy snacks for the kids from Carolinas HealthCare System, face-painting, Pelicans snow cones and more goodies from Chick-fil-A University Place. Panera Bread will have free coffee for the adults. City Barbecue will have a balloon artist on the station plaza.

St. Patrick’s Day specials at nearby shopping centers

Several University City businesses within walking distance of our University City Boulevard, McCullough drive and JW Clay Boulevard transit stations along North Tryon Street will have special promotions.

March 19

Share Coffee and Donuts with our Cops

7-8:30 am at the University City Boulevard Transit Station.

Park for free in the LYNX parking deck, then share time, coffee and donuts with officers from the University City Division station.

Officers will also have free copies of our new Mobility Map for getting around University City via transit, buses, bike share, car share and campus shuttles.

• Want a map now? Click here to view and download.

March 20

UCity Small Business Networking event

7:30-9 am at the Camino Community Center, 133 Stetson Drive.

Join University City Partners for breakfast (on us), networking and the latest news about LYNX-related business development and Charlotte’s small-business resources.

Pick up copies of our new Mobility Maps, too. These handy guides show how to get around the University City business district by LYNX, city bus, bicycle, bike share, car share and free campus shuttle bus.

The Camino Community Center is on Stetson Drive, near the Waffle House restaurant and a short walk from the University City Boulevard Transit Station and parking deck.

Questions: Contact Darlene Heater at dheater@universitycitypartners.org

March 16-24

Experience the LYNX Revolution through 49er lenses

View photos on Instagram at #ridethetrain

Who better to chronicle this transformative time for University City than our UNC Charlotte students, especially since the first and last stops on the Blue Line Extension are next to university buildings?

To get our students to train their smart-phone lenses on the LYNX trains, University City Partners and Greek Life are sponsoring a photo contest March 16-24. Photos will be posted on Instagram, and winning entries will be reposted by Charlotte Agenda.

• Watch the action evolve on Instagram at #ridethetrain.

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