Independence Corridor

[SgtCampsalot]

15 hours ago, Third Strike said:

I really want a developer, or even the city, to do something with the abandoned buildings and lots on Independence on the same side as the Varnadore building between Albemarle and Eastway. Even a conversion to a greenfield is preferred; the brownfield is by far the worst I’ve seen in Charlotte. 

 

13 hours ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

Not sure I'd want the City involved as owner.  Look at the Eastland Mall site.  Only City involvement I'd want to see is something they could do to incentivize those properties.  Waive all development fees, create special Zoning overlay for distressed sites, etc.   Something to make it sweet for developers to privately fund something.

Agreed, I'd prefer incentivizing developers to make projects that face inward, away from 74 - while connecting the ped/bike infrastructure more.

Now, all the subdivisions in the hinterlands... one of these decades I'd love to see those all return to greenfields... sadly it will take horrid economic conditions on these areas for that to come even close to being possible.

Edited December 31, 2018 by SgtCampsalot

[Third Strike]

Concept art for a redeveloped Bojangles/Ovens station area. Found it in the Silver Line Transit Study. Old considering the date but still an interesting vision for the coliseum area. Also noticed a redeveloped Briar Creek interchange. 

https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/Documents/Rail Station Locations and Typologies.pdf

Edited January 8, 2019 by Third Strike

[archiham04]

^That would be bold.  The diagram is a little simplistic, and unrealistic given the extent of small privately owned parcels involved, but it certainly is a good solution for creating a there, where there is no there.

[lit]

“Come on y’all, let’s hop a train to the Checkers game!” - future me

[lit]

I see they’re demolishing the entire right section of the old Matthews Festival shopping center. The lights were on in the old theater though, are they saving it?

[southslider]

On 1/8/2019 at 1:58 AM, Third Strike said:

Also noticed a redeveloped Briar Creek interchange. 

https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/Documents/Rail Station Locations and Typologies.pdf

Nothing screams TOD like a SPUI.

[SgtCampsalot]

2 hours ago, lit said:

I see they’re demolishing the entire right section of the old Matthews Festival shopping center. The lights were on in the old theater though, are they saving it?

It's facinating how an entire third of Matthews Festival has been completely vacant for years, and yet the rest is pretty successful. I'm sure the owners would be happy to unload that East wing for a fee. 

[Jasons0013]

On 3/10/2019 at 6:10 AM, lit said:

I see they’re demolishing the entire right section of the old Matthews Festival shopping center. The lights were on in the old theater though, are they saving it?

Don't know about the old movie, but they are building a BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse somewhere on that parcel closer to Independence.

[lit]

7 hours ago, Jasons0013 said:

Don't know about the old movie, but they are building a BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse somewhere on that parcel closer to Independence.

That would be cool in the old Theater!!!

[KJHburg]

BJ's  Restaurant and Tavern  is really good and it is big out west and in Texas.  

https://www.bjsrestaurants.com/#signup

[Scribe]

It looks like there is another attempt to restore the Varnadore building...They still want their signage, but now on a different building and with solar panels!

Residents complaining about original digital signage is what killed the 2018 proposal, so the last pic addresses that "from Bamboo Street"

ps: this is a whole new rezoning filing.  2019-052 linke to PDF http://ww.charmeck.org/Planning/Rezoning/2019/049-064/2019-052%20site%20plan%20rev.pdf

[KJHburg]

a rare drive for me down Indpendence and a few of the MoRa area the new apartments and retail across from East Meck today.  

[QCxpat]

Today's CBJ story "Building momentum on Charlotte's east side," by Collin Huguley.  Good overview of improvements / renovations to Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium.   

Excerpt;  "Fiscal 2018 proved a strong one for the Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex, which includes both Bojangles’ and Ovens.  The complex had an economic impact of $27.6 million for the year and generated $14.9 million in direct visitor spending, according to CRVA. Bojangles’ hosted 107 events, a 20.2% increase over the previous year.   Ovens hosted 143 events, eclipsing its target of 118. Both venues set records for event volume.  There hasn’t been much slowdown in 2019.  While the venues budgeted fewer events than in 2018, both have already booked more than budgeted. Excluding youth hockey, Bojangles’ has booked 106 events and budgeted only 90. Ovens has booked 125 events, up from the 105 budgeted. The fiscal year ends June 30."  ...  "A $20 million connector — a 35,000-square-foot space connecting Bojangles’ and Ovens — is underway and will provide more entertainment, hospitality and concourse spaces as well as more restrooms. The new building will also house the Checkers’ team offices and allow for more daytime activity at the complex,  It is expected to open in late 2019 or early 2020."

Renderings - Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

 

Link:  https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/06/20/how-charlotte-is-building-momentum-on-citys-east.html

Edited June 20, 2019 by QCxpat
Include renderings of Connector

[sakami]

Did I imagine it or did the old bowling alley near Briar Creek recently get a paint job? I saw a truck parked in front of the building the other day and I haven’t seen a car there in at least 10 years. 

[joenc]

What if the city were to move the convention center to the Coliseum area? The current convention center is too small, doesn't really have space to expand, and is badly integrated into the urban environment. In Germany, the convention centers are usually on the edge of town (Hanover, Munich) and are much bigger than all but a few American convention centers

[abttown]

12 hours ago, sakami said:

Did I imagine it or did the old bowling alley near Briar Creek recently get a paint job? I saw a truck parked in front of the building the other day and I haven’t seen a car there in at least 10 years. 

It is being turned into an adult playground.  Was supposed to open in June, so not sure what the new target date will be.  Story below.

https://www.charlotteagenda.com/165092/coliseum-v-action-bar-virtual-reality-action-field/

[CLT>]

3 hours ago, joenc said:

What if the city were to move the convention center to the Coliseum area? The current convention center is too small, doesn't really have space to expand, and is badly integrated into the urban environment. In Germany, the convention centers are usually on the edge of town (Hanover, Munich) and are much bigger than all but a few American convention centers

Most of the convention facilities in the US are the opposite of Europe, in the center of town and close to many hotels and amenities. There isn't even robust public transport to the Coliseum Area, plus only one hotel. But in 50 years, who knows...

[ScottCLT]

Does anyone know what's under construction on the old Coliseum Center lot near Walmart? It looks like a building with some kind of island - I'm guessing a gas station. Yay.

[Third Strike]

1 hour ago, ScottCLT said:

Does anyone know what's under construction on the old Coliseum Center lot near Walmart? It looks like a building with some kind of island - I'm guessing a gas station. Yay.

It’s a 7-Eleven. 

[lit]

9 hours ago, Third Strike said:

It’s a 7-Eleven. 

That’s good... and bad. Independence needs more gas stations since we lost 4(?) up near Idlewild in the expressway conversion, but WTF are we doing here? Do we really need more cars pulling out and crossing 4 lanes of 60+ mph traffic to get to Albemarle Rd? That Walmart entrance is bonkers!

[KJHburg]

Up Monroe Rd and got on Independence on Idlewild exit noticed the new Starbucks.  Not really news in other parts of town but over in this corridor it is pretty big.  Apartments along Monroe at Idlewild/Rama intersection. 

[KJHburg]

from Uptown to Matthews no better way to go (most times) than Independence.  Who hasn't car shopped on this boulevard?   any word on the old Ervin Bldg  left side outbound 2nd photo?  and I remember when the Gold Building was the finest suburban office tower in town!

Today rolling down the highway from the KJ fleet. 

[Dale]

I thought that gold building was so cool ... thirty years ago.

[lit]

9 hours ago, Dale said:

I thought that gold building was so cool ... thirty years ago.

I still think it’s cool. Coming down the hill by Carmax it’s neat to see where the road takes you as you head to uptown

Did they seriously build a Texas Roadhouse across the parking lot from the old Texas Roadhouse / (Prime)? I’ll try to snap a pic before they take the signage down, but there now TWO Texas Roadhouses at Matthews Festival!!! 

[cltbwimob]

4 hours ago, lit said:

I still think it’s cool. Coming down the hill by Carmax it’s neat to see where the road takes you as you head to uptown

Did they seriously build a Texas Roadhouse across the parking lot from the old Texas Roadhouse / (Prime)? I’ll try to snap a pic before they take the signage down, but there now TWO Texas Roadhouses at Matthews Festival!!! 

They did build a new Texas Roadhouse, but they shut the old one down and moved, so they don’t have 2 open in the same shopping center.  I really am curious as to why they felt the need to build a new one.