By: Eric Zaverl

Back in December the Charlotte Planning Department hosted Todd Noell of Noell Consulting Group at the Powerhouse Studio in South End. Noell Consulting Group (NCG) is based in Atlanta and Todd has 20 years of experience in market analysis. Todd presented forecasts on potential market opportunities and demand for housing, retail and office growth in Charlotte for the next 20+ years, with a particular focus on areas around transit stations.

The Charlotte Planning Department kicked off their public engagement events on Tuesday, March 5th at Mount Sinai Baptist Church on West Boulevard.  Planning staff and Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan consulting firm MIG led a nearly 2 hour presentation after introductions by Charles Thomas with the Knight Foundation, and Charlotte's Planning Director Taiwo Jaiyeoba.

We have some exciting news!  We are proud to share that the first half of the Uptown Cycle Track is going to be built a lot sooner than any of us thought -- i.e., IN TWO MONTHS, and in time to be explored by YOU for Bike!Charlotte Week and Shifting Gears!

We’ve been talking a lot recently about the newly approved Silver Line alignment. Last week, Sustain Charlotte members heard more details about the 2030 Transit Plan from CATS CEO John Lewis and transit planner Jason Lawrence at our March Grow Smart CLT event.

Sustain Charlotte has been serving on the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Advisory Committee since 2017, providing a voice for smart growth in the Charlotte community, and raising up solutions for how our community can continue to grow while staying sustainable.

Over the past year, we have been providing input on a total re-write of the city’s Transit-Oriented Development Ordinance, which are the rules for development that occurs in areas adjacent to our rapid transit stations.

We spoke at the Charlotte City Council meeting in support of the ordinance, and sent a letter to the Council prior to the meeting, asking them to approve them. Read the full letter below.

We're so excited to see progress being made on Charlotte's first protected bike lane, on 6th Street! Check out the progress so far and watch a sneak peek of what it's like to ride the lane, below!

Charlotte's North End has the lowest street connectivity index and sidewalk availability for areas surrounding Uptown Charlotte. Gaps in the sidewalk network and lack of crosswalks put people in danger and prevent them from walking and biking.

Sustain Charlotte is working with the North End Community Coalition to calm traffic and make the community more walkable and bikeable. This area spans 8 neighborhoods: Graham Heights, the Park at Oaklawn, Druid Hills, Greenville, Genesis Park, Lockwood, J.T. Williams and Brightwalk at Historic Double Oaks.

What is Charlotte doing to plan for a sustainable, safe, and walkable future? Lots! The Transportation and Planning Committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 25th focused on three ways the City is moving towards that goal. They received updates on the Charlotte Vision 2040 Plan, Transit Oriented Development Districts, and Vision Zero. 

We had a great turn-out for the second Shifting Gears event of the year at Resident Culture Brewing.  Sixty-five people gathered to learn about how scooters can support biking and transportation choices in Charlotte.  

Sustain Charlotte partners with the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition to support safe vision for transportation choices along the corridor.  The City’s Planning Department hosted their last West Boulevard Corridor Vision workshop on Thursday, February 7th. At this third and final workshop, staff and consultants shared the results of a six-month market study report and implementation recommendations.