360 replies to this topic

[atlrvr]

I did a search, and couldn't find any thread that covers really small developments Uptown, so here we go.

First news item.  Since BofA has bought the Mint Museum of Craft + Design on N. Tryon (the old Montaldo's dept. store), there has been lots of speculation of what would occur....RISD, Saks, etc.  Instead, they will be donating the building to The Foundation for the Carolinas, which is the major non-profit "resource center" for the region.  They are currently located on S. Tryon next to Emerson Joseph.  The move would be a big expansion, and they have stated they will be adding meeting rooms.  This won't happen until UNCC and and MM of C+D have moved out.

I'm initially let down by this news.  While I think they do a great service, that building could be generating a lot more pedestrian traffic.  I hope the The Foundation includes ground floor retail, and reserves their meeting rooms/office space for the upper floors.

[voyager12]

I think this thread was needed, to flesh out the little happenings here and there. I noticed a streetlevel retail store in Uptown a few months ago. It's sad but I was shocked and excited to see a store in our supposed "city".   But hey it's progress.... I think it's on 4th St.  I know it's adjacent to a parking garage. Looks like an upscale furnishings store. I did not catch the name going by. Anybody know?

Edited by voyager12, 30 January 2008 - 01:08 PM.

[Justadude]

Agreed, this is a good thread for those little items that don't go anywhere else.

Some months ago, there was a significant fire in the apartment block at the dead-end of West 8th St at Graham.  It burned out several units on the third floor and displaced quite a few residents.  Since then, the building has been restored so precisely that you can't tell that the fire ever happened (at least not from the outside).  Unfortunately I have no info on the folks that were displaced; last I heard at least a couple were planning to move back eventually.

[ontap]

atlrvr, on Jan 30 2008, 02:55 PM, said:

I did a search, and couldn't find any thread that covers really small developments Uptown, so here we go.

First news item. Since BofA has bought the Mint Museum of Craft + Design on N. Tryon (the old Montaldo's dept. store), there has been lots of speculation of what would occur....RISD, Saks, etc. Instead, they will be donating the building to The Foundation for the Carolinas, which is the major non-profit "resource center" for the region. They are currently located on S. Tryon next to Emerson Joseph. The move would be a big expansion, and they have stated they will be adding meeting rooms. This won't happen until UNCC and and MM of C+D have moved out.

I'm initially let down by this news. While I think they do a great service, that building could be generating a lot more pedestrian traffic. I hope the The Foundation includes ground floor retail, and reserves their meeting rooms/office space for the upper floors.

Don't be let down.  The move won't happen until 2010.  Donation of the building to a charitable non profit is noble...being a bank most would expect a sell-out for big bucks.  The ground floor of the building will house a $500,000 art glass collection (approx. 100 pieces) being donated by Isaac & Sonia Luski.  The stipulation is that the art collection be open and free to the public.  In essence, the building will still be a museum  --  only smaller and free.  The upper floors will house the meeting rooms and the foundations employees.

[Charlotte_native]

Justadude, on Jan 30 2008, 02:33 PM, said:

Agreed, this is a good thread for those little items that don't go anywhere else.

Some months ago, there was a significant fire in the apartment block at the dead-end of West 8th St at Graham.  It burned out several units on the third floor and displaced quite a few residents.  Since then, the building has been restored so precisely that you can't tell that the fire ever happened (at least not from the outside).  Unfortunately I have no info on the folks that were displaced; last I heard at least a couple were planning to move back eventually.

I work with one of them -- they are back.  All units aren't complete, but he lives in one that just sustained water damage, not fire.

[The Escapists]

Who updates the MAPS function for Charlotte (google maps with tags for projects)? I think it needs some attention, and I've always envisioned it with thumbnailed pictures when you click on the tags.  I could work on it, if I had some free time and knew how to. Anyone else?

[Nostyle]

A new sub/sandwich shop opened up today on South Tryon near Latta Arcade.  To celebrate the grande opening of Jimmy Johns, they offered $1 subs.  Everywhere you looked people were having subs for lunch today.

[Neo]

The Escapists, on Feb 22 2008, 08:57 PM, said:

Who updates the MAPS function for Charlotte (google maps with tags for projects)? I think it needs some attention, and I've always envisioned it with thumbnailed pictures when you click on the tags.  I could work on it, if I had some free time and knew how to. Anyone else?

I'm open to allowing someone with a little more free time (and knowledge of projects) to keep it updated.  If interested just shoot me a PM or e-mail (neo[at]urbanplanet.org).

[metropolitan]

Perhaps a tidbit of info: A buddy of mine that's planning on a move here had an appointment at the Vue yesterday to look at the units (he loved it, by the way). The Vue guys told him there's a building to be announced, ? condo, that's going in the block across from Trademark, bound by Trade and Poplar, where that laser dermatology bldg and a sea of parking lots, and the Builder's Bldg presently sit. He didn't ask further details and I wasn't there to ask (would have peppered them with questions). I realize this is just a rumor at best but has anyone heard of any similar whisperings?

[atlrvr]

Interesting rumor.....the majority of that block is owned by 1st Presby for their parking.  It would be great to see it redeveloped, as in my opinion, it is the biggest gap in the urban streetscape.

It's a relatively large parcel, hopefully we will see both office and residential.

[geekUSA1981]

Since the generic "SouthEnd" thread has been archived, guess I'll throw this in here:

While on the way to work this a.m., noticed (nice-looking) signage reading "1300 SouthEnd Tavern" on the side of the building where the Original Pancake House used to be.  I remember the controversy and protest surrounding having a bar underneath the residences being discussed in the old thread.  Looks like the tavern people won.  Should have a fairly steady supply of customers from the Arlington, 1200 SouthEnd, the (presumably) hideous Crescent apartment project, and the apartments going up at the corner of Tryon and Bland ( The Reserve--?).

[mh10809]

Today the Charlotte Observer ran a story about Charlotte Pipe and Foundry potentially moving their operations to Stanley County.  This would leave a huge piece of valuable real estate open downtown.  Their facility is located off of South Clarkson behind the Morehead Commons Site.  They have about 40 acres on both sides of I-277.  I drive by this location everyday and I think it is an eyesore coming into uptown.  I hope that this gets grabbed up and developed, it would make a great addition to Uptown and could clean up that area making the drive into uptown much more pleasing.  Im sure that a developer could get Brownfield Credits for redevelopment of this property.  Here is a map of the land they own.

[uptownliving]

This is one I will be glad to see leave downtown as well. The smell of molten metal coming from that plant is pretty bad...it is most noticable in Third Ward.....but sometimes if the wind is blowing in the right direction you can even smell it in First Ward.

[rockhilljames]

Do you realize what the site clean-up will require? It might be some time before we see this land redeveloped.

[83alphaunder]

rockhilljames, on Mar 7 2008, 02:25 PM, said:

Do you realize what the site clean-up will require? It might be some time before we see this land redeveloped.

Now instead of functional Pipe Foundry, we'll just have abandoned industrial waste for a couple years, JOY!

Edited by 83alphaunder, 07 March 2008 - 01:41 PM.

[Raintree21]

uptownliving, on Mar 7 2008, 12:26 PM, said:

This is one I will be glad to see leave downtown as well. The smell of molten metal coming from that plant is pretty bad...it is most noticable in Third Ward.....but sometimes if the wind is blowing in the right direction you can even smell it in First Ward.

I lived in 3rd Ward for a year and never smelled the plant. This would be a huge loss for Charlotte to lose this employer.

A friend of mine who lives in Oakboro seems quite certain that they are moving. He says that they bought 105 acres and are something like tripling capacity. Says that at the Charlotte site they have 2 "machines" that produce couplings/fittings and 1 "machine" that produces pipes. At the possible new site, they will have 5 couplings/fittings "machines" and 2 or 3 pipe producing machines which will allow them to run just 1 shift and have the same production capacity as they currently have.

Edited by Raintree21, 07 March 2008 - 02:58 PM.

[Spartan]

^I know people who live in 3rd Ward, and no smell has ever been a concern of anyone living there. The bigger concern is over the lack of development at the Beazer homes site.

[Mugen682]

I don't think there is a recent thread specifically for the Trolley Museum.  Anyway, today car 18 was lifted up and placed into the museum.  This is the same trolley car that used to be located in the Spaghetti Warehouse when it was open in Southend years ago.  It will function as an exhibit space and object theatre in the new museum, which should open up later this year.

Photos:

[Andyc545]

Awesome! I had no clue that was the trolley museum going up there.  I figured it was an extension to the building next door .  Does anyone know if there is plans to have an outdoor portion to the trolley museum where a trolley will sit outside?

[mcmontgo]

Originally, yes, there was going to be a rail spur to park car 85 behind the building. Most of the artists renderings released to the press showed this. There was also suppose to be a new maintenance barn that CTI could operate out of on the east side of the tracks. Both of those pieces have been tabled for now.