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Our Living Patterns, Not I-77 Asphalt, Hold Key to Solving Congestion [PlanCharlotte]

"I can hear the angry public debate and related political posturing over the toll lanes and imagine it as a demonstration of our abilities to handle change vs. sticking to the status quo. The discord rampant in our local politics is merely a symptom of a larger malaise that requires larger remedies. Can we, as a region, move beyond our “business as usual” approach? Can we change our thinking to embrace new concepts about how we might live and move around in a world changing before our eyes? Can we make these changes in time?" This is an excellent article by local urbanist David Walters on managed lanes!

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Development Along Stonewall is Great and All, but What About the Pedestrians? [CharlotteFive]

"Through every announcement, and in every article published about Stonewall, there has been one item absent from the conversation: What will the city and the associated developers do to promote connectivity and boost pedestrian activity?" This is a very important question, and we hope the appropriate measures are taken to ensure a safe and inviting pedestrian realm!

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The Case Against Urban Corridors that Act Like High-Speed Highways [Strong Towns]

"The long effort to turn public opinion in favor of Complete Streets has gained traction. In December, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado wrote to the head of the Florida Department of Transportation urging that the Calle Ocho Corridor be redesigned as “complete street would serve residents, visitors, merchants, arts hubs and traffic with: Wide sidewalks, safe pedestrian crosswalks, retention of all on-street parking..." What if the priority of our urban streets was to connect people and places, rather than moving cars as rapidly as possible? 

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How Prevalent is Multifamily Throughout the Charlotte Region? [PlanCharlotte]

"Higher-density development—typically multifamily—has been a topic of increasing interest locally and nationally. The City of Charlotte, facing a rapidly expanding population, has pushed for higher-density and infill development, usually multifamily. A flurry of apartment projects uptown and in nearby neighborhoods such as South End and Plaza Midwood is provoking criticism of the projects’ height and design and of the demolition of older buildings housing local businesses." Given the rate at which our region is growing, multifamily development is a critical component to sustainable land use. An updated zoning code with urban design standards is needed NOW to ensure new development is of higher quality and more considerate of context and character!

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The Centralina Area Agency on Aging is seeking your input as they develop their 2016-2020 Area Plan! They are specifically interested in information about the most critical issues for people of all ages and abilities in your county. This survey will take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Surveys must be completed by February 29, 2016. Click here to take this survey now. 

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January 16 - Learn to Ride Event

11:00am - 1:00 pm @ 932 Seigle Ave. This is your chance to learn to ride a two-wheeler! Kids of all ages (or grown-ups!) can learn to ride using the tried-and-true "balance bike" method. Start the new year with this FREE opportunity to learn a skill that will last a lifetime! Sustain Charlotte working with Bicycle Sport, Mecklenburg County Park & Rec and Health Departments, Trips for Kids Charlotte and AARP put on this great event! For more information, click here. 

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* January 28 -  Thursday Night Sustainable Pint *

5:30 - 8:30 @ Pint Central, 1226 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC. Celebrate the end of the month with a cheers to sustainability! Pint Central is hosting this evening on our behalf and will donate $1 from each Lenny Boy beer and kombucha sold to Sustain Charlotte, and $2 from each Tito's Handmade Vodka Moscow Mule sold!! Join us out on the patio to mingle and learn more about our work, or simply come to enjoy great food and drink specials! Click here for more information.

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* February 2 - Green Drinks Charlotte + Sustain Charlotte Monthly Mixer *

6:00 - 7:30 @ Wooden Robot Brewery, 1440 S Tryon St #110, Charlotte, NC. Join us for an informal and fun evening of conversation and networking. Our Monthly Mixers provide an opportunity to learn more about us, our partners, and meet others interested in local sustainability! This month, you'll hear from our Gold Partner, #thesavageway, who will share about their sustainability efforts! Click here to read more and to RSVP.

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We are happy to announce that DPS Construction has renewed their partnership at the Gold level! We are proud to have their support of our mission and your community!

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MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS