Independence Corridor

[Third Strike]

Construction on the Irvin Building is about to start:

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/development/article251397733.html

[abttown]

Work has officially started on the Ervin/Varnadore building.  I drove by today and saw a large work crew assembled at the site.  I'm sure there's lots of interior demo and probably a good amount of asbestos that needs to be abated!

[Third Strike]

New Starbucks is planned on the empty lot next to the Varnadore building:

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=21LDC&capID2=00000&capID3=00064&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE

[KJHburg]

12 minutes ago, Third Strike said:

New Starbucks is planned on the empty lot next to the Varnadore building:

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=21LDC&capID2=00000&capID3=00064&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE

Inbound morning commuters their favorite spots for stores. Right in right out. 

[slipperypete]

12 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Inbound morning commuters their favorite spots for stores. Right in right out. 

Similarly, it looks like there is a Dunkin Donuts coming to the Monroe Rd & Briar creek intersection, NW corner, next to Boj.  

[KJHburg]

2 hours ago, slipperypete said:

Similarly, it looks like there is a Dunkin Donuts coming to the Monroe Rd & Briar creek intersection, NW corner, next to Boj.  

Right in right out inbound commuters.   Starbucks waited for years for the right inbound morning spot in Harrisburg and it is under construction now.  

[Third Strike]

There’s now a permit in Accela for a new Bojangles at 3809 Independence Blvd, which is also on the same block as the new Starbucks. Another two permits are up for new retail near Westchester Blvd, where the old fast food restaurants are. 
 

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=20LDR&capID2=00000&capID3=00227&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE
 

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=19LDR&capID2=00000&capID3=00167&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE
 

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=21LDC&capID2=00000&capID3=00106&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE&IsToShowInspection=
 

I’m happy development is finally happening in this area after almost twenty years of decline, but it sucks that none of this development is TOD. 

[CLT2014]

5 hours ago, Third Strike said:

There’s now a permit in Accela for a new Bojangles at 3809 Independence Blvd, which is also on the same block as the new Starbucks. Another two permits are up for new retail near Westchester Blvd, where the old fast food restaurants are. 

I’m happy development is finally happening in this area after almost twenty years of decline, but it sucks that none of this development is TOD. 

I believe the light rail is planned to run on the opposite side of Independence from this Bojangles parcel behind the businesses like WalMart and car dealerships. Unfortunately I suspect Independence will act as a major wall impacting walkability for TOD for parcels on the east side of the expressway. The city would need to build numerous pedestrian bridges to get people to the other side as there are limited road crossings.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, CLT2014 said:

I believe the light rail is planned to run on the opposite side of Independence from this Bojangles parcel behind the businesses like WalMart and car dealerships. Unfortunately I suspect Independence will act as a major wall impacting walkability for TOD for parcels on the east side of the expressway. The city would need to build numerous pedestrian bridges to get people to the other side as there are limited road crossings.

I would be surprised if they didn’t have each station bridge the road in some way.

[RANYC]

23 hours ago, Third Strike said:

There’s now a permit in Accela for a new Bojangles at 3809 Independence Blvd, which is also on the same block as the new Starbucks. Another two permits are up for new retail near Westchester Blvd, where the old fast food restaurants are. 
 

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=20LDR&capID2=00000&capID3=00227&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE
 

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=19LDR&capID2=00000&capID3=00167&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE
 

https://aca-prod.accela.com/CHARLOTTE/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=LandDevelopment&TabName=LandDevelopment&capID1=21LDC&capID2=00000&capID3=00106&agencyCode=CHARLOTTE&IsToShowInspection=
 

I’m happy development is finally happening in this area after almost twenty years of decline, but it sucks that none of this development is TOD. 

Anyone know how big the standalone signage for these new fast food establishments will be?

[TCLT]

Ervin building demo is moving along. The smaller building next to it is gone. Most of the window glass on the tower is gone and the openings closed up with plastic so I guess work is progressing inside.

[turbocraig]

13 minutes ago, TCLT said:

Ervin building demo is moving along. The smaller building next to it is gone. Most of the window glass on the tower is gone and the openings closed up with plastic so I guess work is progressing inside.

That smaller building (if we're talking about the blue and red one with the rounded corner) was a Camelot Records when I moved here in the mid-90s.  

[JacksonH]

1 hour ago, turbocraig said:

That smaller building (if we're talking about the blue and red one with the rounded corner) was a Camelot Records when I moved here in the mid-90s.  

Camelot Records on Independence!  Bringing back fond memories of the '80s!  An even fonder memory is Grady's on Albemarle Road (best nachos ever!), but I digress.  I'm glad to see activity going on along this corridor years ahead of the Silver Line, especially if it improves the appearance of these buildings and of Independence Blvd.,  which I remember as an uninspired suburban wasteland.  And anything happening with that gold tower?  I used  to think it was both hideous and charming at the same time.

[lit]

It looks like they fixed the YELLOW Bojangles. 

[KJHburg]

some demo work being done look for the yellow CAT to left of the tower and the famous Gold Building still standing a solid Class B office tower and local landmark.

EastSideRising! 

Today drive bys. 

[abttown]

^My company performed some work in the Independence Tower a couple years ago and I remember the building manager telling me those windows are gold plated and are made in Italy.  Apparently during hurricane Hugo many of the windows were blown out and they had to wait a long time for a new shipment from overseas.

[drawscape]

2 hours ago, abttown said:

^My company performed some work in the Independence Tower a couple years ago and I remember the building manager telling me those windows are gold plated and are made in Italy.  Apparently during hurricane Hugo many of the windows were blown out and they had to wait a long time for a new shipment from overseas.

I can see why they went to the effort of getting gold plated windows, that aesthetic is really paying off /s

[slipperypete]

13 hours ago, drawscape said:

I can see why they went to the effort of getting gold plated windows, that aesthetic is really paying off /s

Hey, this was hot stuff in the '70s when it was built.  And I can't count the number of radio ads over the years that talked about something being near "the big gold building".  Huge landmark. 

It was sexy enough that 400 S Tryon, built 3 years later, was also done with gold windows. 

[TCLT]

Demo continues to progress on this building. Photo isn’t the best but gives a good idea of where it is at now. Looks like the interior is more or less fully gutted. The graffiti (murals?) are starting to come down. Can’t see in this photo but the lobby exterior walls are all gone too.

[JRCLT]

Demo continues to progress on this building. Photo isn’t the best but gives a good idea of where it is at now. Looks like the interior is more or less fully gutted. The graffiti (murals?) are starting to come down. Can’t see in this photo but the lobby exterior walls are all gone too.

Yep, just a little more than the skeleton remains.

[Third Strike]

Bo Time is coming next to the Ervin Building. 
 

Pic by @andrewwinke on Instagram. 

[lit]

On 11/22/2021 at 8:56 AM, Third Strike said:

Bo Time is coming next to the Ervin Building. 
 

Pic by @andrewwinke on Instagram. 

The new Bojangles has been constructed! It seems like it didn't take very long, but it also seems to be a smaller store than the other one on Independence. They'll do well in the mornings with people heading into town stopping to grab a biscuit or a cup of coffee. The OLD one at Idlewild and Independence was always busy. I'm a little bit concerned about the number of accidents it will cause with people crossing two lanes to get to the little side street turn-off. It's very reminiscent of Exit 3A.

[AP3]

5 hours ago, lit said:

The new Bojangles has been constructed! It seems like it didn't take very long, but it also seems to be a smaller store than the other one on Independence. They'll do well in the mornings with people heading into town stopping to grab a biscuit or a cup of coffee. The OLD one at Idlewild and Independence was always busy. I'm a little bit concerned about the number of accidents it will cause with people crossing two lanes to get to the little side street turn-off. It's very reminiscent of Exit 3A.

I believe it is a drive-thru only location.

[lit]

14 hours ago, AP3 said:

I believe it is a drive-thru only location.

That's a boner-killer. I had a group of car-guy friends that met up at least once a week. We'd often sit in the front of the old Bojangles at Idlewild and Independence just so we could watch cars drive by. People test-driving Mustangs always put on a good show. The crappy replacement Bojangles doesn't even face the highway and I'm pretty sure you couldn't even see the road from where this new Bojangles is situated (if they had a dining room).  

[go_vertical]

The newly rebuilt Chick-fil-A across from Park Road Shopping has no indoor seating as well.  I believe there are only five or six patio seats with a walk up window to order.  This is a growing trend I'm not too keen on.