Duke Energy Plaza Headquarters | 40 Story formerly Charlotte Metro Tower

[jednc]

2 hours ago, SydneyCarton said:

Sorry to have offended anyone.  I don't know anyone for whom $30 per month would make a difference.  I guess there are a lot more destitute people in NC than I thought.

 

7 hours ago, elrodvt said:

You obviously have no empathy for the poor. Think about what you're saying. Maybe read a book about the life of a person living in poverty.

Read a book instead of watching TV. There's an energy saving tip that Sid didn't think of (I know that's not your point).

Edited January 29, 2018 by jednc
It's possible I misunderstood what you meant with your comment. For the sake of civility I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

[QCxpat]

@SydneyCarton said: 

"In my ten years in NC, I have lived in nice suburban areas (Myers Park and Chapel Hill), so haven't really seen poverty."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Tar Heels Living in Poverty in 2017.

The poverty rate in North Carolina in 2017 was 15.4%.  NC's total pop. was 10,273,419, of whom 1,582,107 live in poverty.

(1) Charlotte:  Below the poverty level 16.8%.  Total Pop. 842,051, of whom 141,465 live in poverty.

(2) Raleigh.  Below the poverty level 16%.  Total Pop. 458,880, of whom 73,421 live in poverty.

(3) Durham.  Below the poverty level 19.2%.  Total Pop. 263,016, of whom 50,499 live in poverty.

(4) Greensboro.  Below the poverty level 19.3%.  Total Pop. 287,027, of whom 55,396 live in poverty.

(5) Winston-Salem.  Below the poverty level 24.8%.  Total Pop. 242,203, of whom 60,066 live in poverty.

(6) Chapel Hill.  Below the poverty level 20.7%.  Total Pop. 59,246, of whom 12,264 live in poverty. 

Links:

(1) https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/NC/AGE275210  (US Census Bureau, NC Quick Facts)

(2) http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Chapel-Hill-North-Carolina.html  (Poverty rates in Chapel Hill)

(3) https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/06/63-of-americans-dont-have-enough-savings-to-cover-a-500-emergency/#2db41b7a4e0d 

(Forbes 01/06/2016 -- 63% of Americans Don't Have Enough Savings to Cover a $500 Emergency)

Edited January 29, 2018 by QCxpat

[deaconator]

Sorry to have offended anyone.  I don't know anyone for whom $30 per month would make a difference.  I guess there are a lot more destitute people in NC than I thought.

 

You don’t know anyone? Who gives a hoot who you know. No one. Congratulations you are one of the most ignorant, selfish, out of touch people in all of North Carolina.

 

I’m glad you live in North Carolina and you’ve only been to Myers Park and Chapel Hill in your time here too. If you are so fortunate to never have to rub elbow with someone in the other 95+% then I would suggest you look into some service opportunities to broaden your horizons.

 

Oh and you don’t need to know anyone. Just do some basic math. Look up what minimum wage is, and figure what expenses might be for say a single mom with 3 kids and take it from there. Could $30 make a difference? What percentage of their net income is that?

 

apologies for getting off topic more but dang...

 

[KJHburg]

Lets get this thread back on track. Here is a photo of the parking lot that Duke Energy bought across from the Mint Museum.  I took this photo in August.  

[Hunted]

1 hour ago, KJHburg said:

Lets get this thread back on track. Here is a photo of the parking lot that Duke Energy bought across from the Mint Museum.  I took this photo in August.  

As far as speculation goes, I know people on the forum have tossed around the idea of the taller tower (Duke’s HQ, speculated at ~500ft, or so) being on the Tryon side, and a shorter tower (possibly a hotel) being on the College St. side on this parcel.

 

 I’m wondering if it would look better reverse with Duke’s tower on the College side, assuming there actually ends up being 2 highrises on this land. I think it would add more balance to the skyline and obscure the original DEC less.

 

Just food for thought...

[KJHburg]

^^^ I would think Duke would want the Tryon St address and hotel if any across from the street from the convention center.  Duke leases 500K of space at Duke Energy Center but the owner of that building may want some of its space back. That owner is Wells Fargo (again cheaper to be in buildings they own like BofA strategy) and Duke leases also 500K space in 400 South Tryon, the class B skyscraper. 

Love them or hate them Duke is the largest investor owned utility in the USA.  Their regulated markets are in Florida, both Carolinas,  Ohio, Indiana and I think parts of Kentucky.  Plus they have renewable energy projects all over the country.   They did not buy this site to sit on it for years.  This rate increase request will pass in some form and they will move on. 

Wouldn't be nice if Duke execs are moved to their own new building and the top execs and CEO of Wells moved into the top floor of now named Duke Energy Center?  Remember this space was built as the Wachovia HQ before they collapsed into the arms of Wells Fargo.   Duke actually saved the day and Charlotte office market when they announced they would significantly lease more space at this building as Wells did not know how much space it would need or what.  However Wells quietly has been expanding here every year since that happened and employs more and more here. 

Here is the story from 2009 https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/02/23/daily43.html

 

[AuLukey]

RE grid modernization: Really? I don't doubt you, but I had not heard that modernization was part of the plan, my understanding of the rate request was it was about managing increasing costs plus the coal ash issue.  Where do they discuss their grid modernization plans?

https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-embarks-on-a-10-year-initiative-to-strengthen-north-carolina-s-energy-grid

While this article on Duke’s website does not specify the source of the funding, you’ve gotta think $13 billion isn’t just out of thin air, it’s coming from somewhere. That somewhere is probably the reasoning they can’t as easily foot the bill for coal ash remediation.

I think most of us can reasonably agree that Duke NEEDS the office space and that it will lead to long-term cost savings. The problem will be press coverage leading their less-informed viewers to believe the rate hike that will be hitting their wallets soon is directly related to a shiny new building. Sometimes freedom of the press can backfire.

[Scribe]

^^ it is part of the rate increase, CBJ has a piece on it as well... https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/01/26/rate-hike-opponents-attack-duke-energy-s-proposed.html

Some $13.8 billion over 10 years on modernization of the grid...

[CLT>___]

The US is behind on all aspects of infrastructure investment. I totally agree that customers footing the bill for coal ash clean up is ridiculous but raising rates to create an up to date grid that for one thing could allow individual and businesses that invest in solar to feed their excess energy back on the grid consistently is going to be the way of the future.  

Duke needs more office space just like they need to update the grid. they are growing and our society is growing. Duke is building an addition onto their call center in Charlotte as we speak. That is not for fun, or because they are loosing customers it is because they are growing. 

I hope a fair rate hike gets approved and Duke can continue doing what they need to do to provide us with good service. 

[Squid7085]

On 1/28/2018 at 5:18 PM, SydneyCarton said:

Sorry to have offended anyone.  I don't know anyone for whom $30 per month would make a difference.  I guess there are a lot more destitute people in NC than I thought.

I am right out of college, make pretty good money for my age, and rent in South End. I am not 'destitute,' and a sudden $30 difference in my electric bill sure as sh*t would make a difference. That's my workday lunch budget for the week, thats most of my Internet payment, thats a trip to the bar on the weekend, that is half of the  INTEREST on my federally backed student loans I get to pay every month. If $30 is no big deal to you, I'll give you my PayPal and you can send me $30 a month. Clearly I am destitute and could use it.

In other more relevant news. Tacking on the the comment about Duke being forced out of the Power Tower, I work for one of the non Duke/Wells companies in the building, and we are also likely to move out of the building. It has only been rumors, but I have heard from some higher up's in my office that they are looking for new space. We need more space, and can't get it in the Duke tower anyway.

Edited January 30, 2018 by Squid7085

[QClifer]

hes the same guy that is calling the $1,000-$2,000 bonuses crumbs

[CLT>___]

^^^ haha if you want to keep bashing him start a new thread in the coffee house and swing away (don't really do that) but lets try to keep this thread about the hopefully upcoming Duke tower. 

Does anyone have any speculation as to whether this tower would be smaller or larger in height than their current building? All of the best guess sketches I have seen have shown it at about 30ish stories.  

Edited January 30, 2018 by JSquare

[CarolinaDaydreamin]

1 hour ago, QClifer said:

hes the same guy that is calling the $1,000-$2,000 bonuses crumbs

Enough. I'm happy to mute you two...

Has there ever been any soil testing for this parking lot?

[elrodvt]

27 minutes ago, CarolinaDaydreamin said:

Enough. I'm happy to mute you two...

Has there ever been any soil testing for this parking lot?

I remember them doing what looked to be core sampling  maybe 9 months ago or so.

[CLT>___]

How do you delete a post? made this one by accident... just ignore. 

Edited January 30, 2018 by JSquare

[Nick2]

There isn't any reason for a tower on this lot to be taller than the current DEC with all the new space recently delivered, under construction, or about to be under construction.

But I'd bet this lot will be as transformative as legacy Union or Tryon place.

[Hunted]

12 hours ago, QClifer said:

hes the same guy that is calling the $1,000-$2,000 bonuses crumbs

He started off in Brooklyn. His father gave him a small loan of 1 million dollars.

[KJHburg]

When  this topic gets derailed off topic  I am going to post a picture.   Imagine a tower rising behind the Harvey B Gantt center and in front of the  3 Wells Fargo and the Ratcliffe condo building.   Took this photo in September.  a tower in that spot will fill in the gap depending on where it sat on that parking lot. 

[cjd5050]

7 hours ago, KJHburg said:

When  this topic gets derailed off topic  I am going to post a picture.   Imagine a tower rising behind the Harvey B Gantt center and in front of the  3 Wells Fargo and the Ratcliffe condo building.   Took this photo in September.  a tower in that spot will fill in the gap depending on where it sat on that parking lot. 

I'd like to order 1 tower and hold the blue glass, please.  

[Miesian Corners]

4 hours ago, cjd5050 said:

I'd like to order 1 tower and hold the blue glass, please.  

And bad po-mo pyramid-topped ones. Preferably not designed by Johnny Harris.

[JorgiPorgi]

If this isn’t likely right now- why are we still speculating?  Every day, this thread is bumped up, with absolutely no news. 

[tozmervo]

8 minutes ago, Jordan84 said:

If this isn’t likely right now- why are we still speculating?  Every day, this thread is bumped up, with absolutely no news. 

You must be new here

[JorgiPorgi]

2 minutes ago, tozmervo said:

You must be new here

No, I’ve been reading here for years. Just recently started commenting. Anyway- I would love something to go up here- but we really haven’t heard any news of it as of late. My guess is like what has been speculated. Something that matches DEC as far as materials are concerned. 500 ft range, and not a box on top.  I’m pretty sure that’s all we “kind of “ know. 

[Hunted]

99% of this forum is speculation. There’s only like 2-3 guys who actually know anything. Once they post intel, we speculate further. Get used to it.

[Guest]

If this isn’t likely right now- why are we still speculating?  Every day, this thread is bumped up, with absolutely no news. 

I think it will happen. It’s needed, they will figure out how to make it work. It just not be in the same financial configuration. Or it will. Who knows. They need the space.


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