NcSc74

I subscribe to a channel on youtube called not just bikes and they explain what is going on with American cities and their addiction to sprawl. According to them what is happening in NC is a by product of NC booming after WW2. Look at pre war large cities; dont have to go far to see the stark differences. Dense built up cores that you can see and feel the difference. IMO there is only one city in NC that retained its pre war urban core that urban renewal didnt touch; Ashville, and to some extent Wilmington. But those cities were not large enough then to warrant big urban projects and schemes. Imagine Charlotte with an extended core around uptown like Asheville. There would be no argument about vibrant anything as the number of people living around uptown would be massive. Soo here we are in 2022 and Charlotte wants to build big but NC politics are stuck in the 50's. The only way out is to vote in the right folks but we all know thats a pipe dream. I'm afraid what you see is what you gonna get until peer cities start to leave NC cities behind.

I agree and honestly this argument can be made for all of NC except the Triad region for whatever reason. I just read an article where the civic leaders in Wilmington lament that the state did not secure funding for a new CapeFear crossing 20 years ago when they knew the current memorial bridge was coming due for major repairs. NC still has that Rip van Winkle thinking that stiffled growth for most of the 19th and 20th centuries. Low and behold, they are making the same mistakes. IMO, Charlotte should be an example of how to build a futureristc city. But we all know that wont happen until 50 years from now, smh. Tampa, where I resde now, is slowly choking itself due to traffic and literally no transit options. I live in South Bay area 20 miles from DT and we dont venture to Tampa proper during the weekdays between 1100 to 6 pm. Traffic is nuts. At least you guys have some kind of passenger/transit rail service. We can't even get a transit tax increase passed to fund meager upgrades to bus routes. Raleigh sould take notice as well and build transit now not later. More lanes equal more traffic. It has been proven. We can't take it anymore; with the hurricanes, insane insurance cost and god awful traffic we are selling our house and moving to rural Cumberland or Brunswick county in 2024. Finlly coming home and I can't wait.

So I get it now. Lets say you take South blvd and rearrange it too a grided square a BAM...urban cityscape.

I know some of you don't like nascar but I just saw a commercial about the nascar all star race to be held in Texas. I thought the all star race was part of the coca cola weekend in Charlotte. It may be a little niche but Nascar is Charlotte culture. NC frustrates me. Embrace what you have; make ityour own. Nashville leaned in to country music; some folks look down on it. But they are laughing all the way to the bank. Can someone explain it to me. Last thing; why does Oklahoma City have a gasoline alley "district" and Charlotte doesn't. Frustrating.....

I can attest that Tampa's cbd is not that tall but there are many "midrise" districts and yes bayside condo buildings scattered around the city. However, there are multiple projects going on downtown on or near parts of the old shipyard channels. They still are not or wont be more than 300 feet tall. Surprised Charlotte doesnt have more verticle residential construction going on. I guess southend's gravity is sucking up the momentum.

I've dreamed of significant height outside of uptown for 20 years. Fingers crossed this happens. Then all that needs to happen is cap 277 and elvate 77 to get some visibility and BAM in your face; 3rd best skyline in the southeast and 5th best in the south. Just aesthetically speaking; From my perspective 1. Miami-95south hands down no comp; compact, fills the horizon compact and dense. 2. Dallas-35 south is impressive but like Houston its multi-nodal 3. ATL-very linear and spread out but impressive if taken in from the right angle; actually could be number 2; i havent been in 5 years though. 4. Houston-very similar to Charlotte cdb massing but very spread out; medical district and galleria would put up there with Miami 5. Charlotte-needs nore height outside uptown like Dallas medical district , southend can be that extension; needs the wards to fill out and add some density

Wow, just wish there was more elevation changes around the city that could recreate or come close this angle. Definitely gives me Denver vibes skyline wise. What Charlotte needs now is infill and increase density.

There is ana angle of the Wilmington skyline I havent seen anywhere. Driving east on 17/74, right before the approach to the bridge. Its a full view and it's really good now since there is no vegetation blocking the view. However, the sweet spot is in a tricky location. In a slight bend in only visable for a half second at speed.

Just a matter of time. Once buildings start selling for gobs of cash more developments willcome looking for the same. No empty lots left, or they absolutley need to be on the Lynx platform?

I think because of VA's concentrated population centers has allowed VDOT to focus on updating and improving highways as compared with NC's multi-nodal population density. I give NCDOT a hard time but I know they are limited by budgets. Having to build and plan for around 10 separate cities that need major roads has to be challenging. I just hate that Raleigh and Charlotte have to fight for scraps and deal with value engineered highway infrastrucure.

Raleigh has momentum. If only PNC arena was downtown. Oh the possibilities that would come with national exposure. As a side note. I have family in Northern New Jersey and they all acknowledge Raleigh as an "it" city. Deveoplers should take note and build now. Isnt the Raleigh/Cary MSA close to Nashville MSA in residents. Also, no one in the know considers the Raleigh area as seperate from Durhan anyway. Somebody put in a good bribe to the folks in DC.

I thought the golddistrict was gonna fill this need. If not then why not. Most attractions are rooted in some kind of history. It would be a shame for Charlotte not to capitalize on the gold rush/mint city theme. Maybe UPers need to make some noise about it. How bout opening up on of those mine shafts...Of course just for show and no tours or maybe. I dont know I've been in salt mines in Poland and they made it work.

Just commented on this. I swear NCDOT and whoever in Raleigh are still sitting at a cafe in Mayberry. Charlotte's interstates are crap; 1960's finest. Nothing says world class like the 77/85 interchange and no interstate or spur to the east. No other major city has such an antiquated freeway system. I do alot traviling and trust me Charlotte's peer cities are building thier infrastructure like crazy. Sometimes I think the farmers up in the state legislature are taking bribes from SC business folks.You know, no competition for Myrtle or Charleston.

I have travelled all over this country and recently the south looking for my retirement spot. I have decided to come home to NC but not sure where yet. My overall consensus is NC is a good deal and one reason is that the top cities are underdeveloped. However, its a drawback as well. Many folks my age, late 40's, are moving back from larger metro areas for a better QoL but still would like some of the entertainment, culture and leisure offerings of those cities. Those drawbacks are where NCcities are lagging behind; especially down east near the coast. If Wilimington could get the right minded developers I really think it would become more of a hot spot than it is. Now I am all for growing the smart way and conservation. The area around the battleship is ripe for entertainment/residential development. Honestly I wouldnt have parked her on that side of the river anyway. Competition is heating up for folks movig to smaller metro areas and I dont want NC to be late to the game once again. Spent some time in Savanna and I must say, GA has done a great job with growth in travel and tourism. Although I'm not really a fan of super touristy sections of the core though. But, the outcome is jobs and opportunity. Bottom line, I moved away because NC was just to slow to adapt/adopt trends in culture and growth; I want to come back, but where are the growth areas that can offer decent QoL with decent culture and entertainment?

I'd say there is a fine line to straddle; road building vs transit. IMO, NC has many horrible interatate planning. I get it, when they were planned our cities were small. Now growth has caught up to the top 5 metro's and NCDOT is still stuck in the 1960's. Example, why does Goldsoro have a signed 795 spur and Charlotte doesnt have a a signed interstate spur east toward Wilmington. Anoher thing that drives me nuts is the 77/85 and 77/277 interchanges. Somebody please explian hwo they are still in operation in 2022. Is this punishment from the state for building light rail or did Charlotte choose the blue line over roads?

Looks like a high density district I would build while playing cities skylines. Very modern mid rise district; I like it.

I agree. Why not enhance CLT as the leisure and travel hub. Meaning, utilize commuter rail as a gateway travel to the mountains and beaches within reason. How far are the foothill towns in the Blue Ridge? I think it would be a win-win. Whatever town is the western terminus for the blue ridge express from CLT would gain economy from tourist connecting from there and Gateway station can capilize on the constant use. On the flip side, commuter rail to the southeast could be huge as well. In addition to north thru the metro all the way up the fringes of the Triad. I often think of thses things when taking short plane rides. Like from OKC to Dallas. How much easier it would be to jump on a regional train for 2 hours than to go thru all the crap of an airport for a 45 minute flight.

Oh how I wish 85 was a a few miles closer to see that view. Let everyone see the Queen in here absolute best.

I agree, just giving my opinion on why one person commented on the 'Mayberry" vibe around the metro area. IMO, trees give Charlotte a unique factor that other places would like. I just don't agree with NCDOT and its ancient way of building urban infrastructure. Now it seems cities are looking to not build large road projects in favor of mass transit alts.. In that case CLT was ahead od her time.

I'd open a huge beer hall, Munich style in that Atrium. German name sake = German beer and food....come on somebody have some imagination.

Trees.....trees obscure the eye candy. Look at Google Earth and you will see there are mid rises nestled within the foliage and I guess some NC building code or soemthing that most developmet must be hidden by a stand of trees and offset from the road. Not saying its true its just my observation. Just like RTP, there numerous mid rise buildings tucked away in the pines that a driver or passenger can't see. Yeah, when I'm bored at work I cruise around google earth comparing cities, ports, rivers all kinds of things. Been a passion of mine since I was a kid. My family made the holiday trek to Orange, New Jersey every Christmas and NC has always lagged when it came to any kind of urban infrastructure. I blame the three metro areas of similar size at the time that competed for dollars.

Great point. Is there a Mill tour? Perhaps ran by a Mill historical society that can use the tour fees to enhance the surounding street scape and tour atmosphere. If not seems like a no brainer to me. Plus its an attraction that can touted as a must see for the near regions of center city Charlotte.

Adding more people/cars with no direct outlet to 485 or mass transit. Well, Galleria in Houston doesnt have rail but it is served by interstate.

I say remove it. I mentioned in the pic thread it looks outdated and small-townish. Not saying CLT is small town just the intersatae infrastructure is lacking. Get rid of it, use the space for rail as mentioned above and funnel the money to a proper expressway out of uptwn to 85 and 74.

Impressive; but Im sorry 277 looks old, and small town looking. I understand where the money went; blue line. I'm not advocating a teardown and build 20 lanes. It just doesnt match the skyline.