360 replies to this topic

[cltheel.sdl]

Hey, I've eaten in that trolley before!  Must have been at least 12 years ago though.  When did Spaghetti Warehouse close?

[atlrvr]

Per Doug Smith's article today, the building holding the Fire Engine Museum next to The Vue on 5th St. was just sold to the owner of Preferred Parking    The positive is, there are now restrictive covenants that will prevent it from being demolish.  The bad news is the Museum will be kicked out in about a year.  The building will then likely be converted to commercial use with ground floor retail and either office or residential upstairs.

The parcel extends all the way to 6th.  He already owns the rest of the block except for the parcel where The Vue is going.  Sounds like a vital assembledge, that could result in a decent L-shaped midrise.

But, for now, the rest of the Fire Station parcel will be used for...........surface parking  

[rockhilljames]

That is terrifying news. Losing this building would be a huge blow to what's left of our historic stock. Just the conversion to ground-floor retail will probably remove the doors and character of the building. I used to walk by this almost every day and they guys would have the doors open and the firetrucks parked inside.

Why can't we be left with a little uniqueness downtown?

[Andyc545]

I read something about this building being owned by Bank of America and them applying for historical stature.  What ever happened to that, and why would BofA possibly want to sell off very valuable land with a very small but powerful historic building.  I don't really know how much business the museum actually had, so I don't know if that will be missed much, but certainly that structure will and needs to remain.  Can't really complain about ground floor retail though.  A shame something more isn't done with the lot that takes up the other half of the parcel...  I'd imagine once the Vue goes up and the land becomes more valuable that eventually they will have to do something more with it.

[atlrvr]

BofA decided to sell this past spring....I'm not sure any clear reason was given as to why.  The CMHLC purchased it with their revolving fund, added the preservation convenants and then put it up for sale.  Stack really was the logical buyer since he owns the rest of the block.

[Charlotte_native]

rockhilljames, on Aug 1 2008, 02:27 PM, said:

That is terrifying news. Losing this building would be a huge blow to what's left of our historic stock. Just the conversion to ground-floor retail will probably remove the doors and character of the building. I used to walk by this almost every day and they guys would have the doors open and the firetrucks parked inside.

Why can't we be left with a little uniqueness downtown?

Don't make too many assumptions too soon.  The article says nothing of this buildng coming down, and actually says the contrary.  The new owner says clearly that he doesn't, and apparantly CAN'T tear it down and he knew that going into the purchase.  He says he doesn't want to tear it down, and he has a preservation history under his belt (don't just hate the guy for owning parking lots -- which he has been selling here and there).  He renovated and converted to condos The Frederick on Church Street -- a designated historic property.  By turning it to condos it is effectively saved because anyone that would wish to tear in down in the future will have to buy out many owners instead of one.  He also owns the Johnson Building on Tryon and is upfitting it.

Again, this article said nothing of the building coming down, just that it had been sold and that the Fire Museum would go and renovations would take place for new use -- retail, restaurant, or office.  Personally I think this would make a fantastic restaurant space.

[Spartan]

Charlotte_native, on Aug 2 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

Personally I think this would make a fantastic restaurant space.

Agreed. No offense to the firefighters, but I would rather see museum-related things consolidated to one location. This space could be better utilized as a restaurant of some sort. If they're smart they will have some sort of "spicy" theme. Hot wings, hot salsa, other things that make your mouth burn, etc.

[atlrvr]

^ Are you saying you want all museums grouped together?  If so, I have to disagree.  I think these small museusm scattered around the city helps distribute tourists and visiting locals to add some streetlife to a wider variety of areas.

I'm sad for the museum.  I know it's not a major attraction, but I like seeing the old timers out there on the weekends talking to the kids.  The Vue will be right next door, and could in theory have 3 restaurants, plus cans is across the street with their roof deck, I'm not sure how much more of that we need in this area.  My 2 cents.

[dubone]

If they really are keeping the old firehouse, then this is probably a great thing for the area.  Basically, the extra land behind the firehouse no longer divides the other two lots that Preferred owns.  On one hand, a paved parking lot would be slightly more attractive than the overgrown gravel area that is there now.  But on the other hand, this will provide a chance for that underutilized land to be built up and reconnect that urban fabric.  The Vue is one thing, but it would be much better if an 8-12 story building could be built on the rest of the block.

[Raintree21]

Old Station 4 was actually too small to house all of the old pumpers that CFD has restored. While the station is a nice touch and will be missed, they need a a bigger space to display the trucks. They are currently stacked in there and stored at various stations throughout the city.

[rockhilljames]

Charlotte_native, on Aug 2 2008, 08:56 AM, said:

Don't make too many assumptions too soon.  The article says nothing of this buildng coming down, and actually says the contrary.  The new owner says clearly that he doesn't, and apparantly CAN'T tear it down and he knew that going into the purchase.  He says he doesn't want to tear it down, and he has a preservation history under his belt (don't just hate the guy for owning parking lots -- which he has been selling here and there).  He renovated and converted to condos The Frederick on Church Street -- a designated historic property.  By turning it to condos it is effectively saved because anyone that would wish to tear in down in the future will have to buy out many owners instead of one.  He also owns the Johnson Building on Tryon and is upfitting it.

Again, this article said nothing of the building coming down, just that it had been sold and that the Fire Museum would go and renovations would take place for new use -- retail, restaurant, or office.  Personally I think this would make a fantastic restaurant space.

Well that makes me feel a little better. I know that it would be very difficult to tear this down, but I have memories of some really nice, historic buildings coming down for no good reason. Film row being one. We still have a nice surface lot there, though.

[Spartan]

atlrvr, on Aug 2 2008, 12:22 PM, said:

^ Are you saying you want all museums grouped together?  If so, I have to disagree.  I think these small museusm scattered around the city helps distribute tourists and visiting locals to add some streetlife to a wider variety of areas.

Not "all" museums, but it would make sense to group small ones like this together. I can't imagine that there is a huge demand for such a specific type of museum.

[atlrvr]

I know Meisian Corners has been begging for a dessert bar Uptown.  Looks like it might finally happen.  CRAVE is supposed to go where the current Avenue sales center is in the Cotton Mills building on Graham St.

[voyager12]

It's probably going to be affiliated with a bar. That does not count.  We need an authentic stand alone spot  But it's the law, Uptown must have a pretentious  or party bar or over priced seafood or steakhouse on every corner.

[Charlotte_native]

voyager12, on Aug 4 2008, 01:48 PM, said:

It's probably going to be affiliated with a bar. That does not count.  We need an authentic stand alone spot  But it's the law, Uptown must have a pretentious  or party bar or over priced seafood or steakhouse on every corner.

Would you like a list of non-pretentous bars or restaurants that aren't bar oriented?  They far outnumber what you've described, its just easier to see the big party bars than the small restaurants and/or little pubs.     I'm not getting defensive at all, I just think that impression misses a lot of what is downtown other than snooty snub clubs.

[The Escapists]

Man, Uptown is BUZZING today. There is a huge musical conference at the conference center. I saw the figure somewhere of 11,000 people or more. It's obvious too. I kind of feel bad for them though, because other than resuarants, parks and a couple of museums...what is there for them to do? No real shopping (opinion!!!), just a bunch of construction and sidewalk closures.

[InitialD]

I was just looking at all the renderings on www.skyscraper3d.com (Little) and under "portfolio" number 09 is a 6 floor glass and brick office building simply labeled "Cats." Is this the building that is suposed to go across Trade St. from the arena? If so, what's the status of this project; I haven't heard anything recently about it.

[atlrvr]

It was supposed to go where the Seirra Hotel is now planned.  CATS was going to be the anchor, but they decided (or it was decided for them) to pursue other options.  It was an attractive proposal though.

[The Escapists]

Hey, they knocked down that dumpy old cinder block building on Brevard across from CTC. Anyone know what's going on there?

[The Escapists]

On Oct 5, there will be a Ghandi statue and pocket park unveiled on Alexander and Trade St. It will feature a 8ft bronze Ghandi statue on a brick and marble podium. I got the flier at the India Festival this weekend. I dig statues, parks and art, and Ghandi's good in my book... so A++ over here.