University City Partners – The Naked City Blog

Updating U-City transit, street projects

As I’m spending much of today interviewing City Council candidates and editing tomorrow’s Viewpoint page, I’ll just offer a couple of links to information available elsewhere.

First, here’s an overview from University City Partners about the planning for the northeast light rail line. It’s a good summation of some of the fine point design issues they’re wrestling with, such as how to deal with the North Tryon Street, Harris Boulevard intersection. The next big public meetings on the plans:

• 6-8 p.m. Sept. 29 at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church at 101 W Sugar Creek Road

• 6-8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Oasis Temple, 604 Doug Mayes Place in University Place

Also, thanks again to University City Partners, here’s an overview of the planning for overhauling “the weave” – where N.C. 49 (North Tryon and University City Boulevard), U.S. 29 (North Tryon) and I-85 all come together.

Transit lovers, and Portland haters (an update)

Friday, May 22, 12:21 PM update:
If you like reading about Portland, check out this piece from the Oregonian’s Anna Griffin, whom some of you will remember as a former Charlotte Observer writer (who covered the growth beat here in the QC before moving to our Raleigh bureau.)

Today, a little something for transit-lovers and then for transit- and Portland-haters.

First, here’s a newsy dispatch from Mary Hopper at University City Partners:

“The most recent cost estimate for building the LYNX Blue Line Extension from Center City to University City now exceeds $1.1 billion. That’s a lot of money, to be sure. But is it too much money? A study paid for by University City Partners suggests that every dollar spent on transit construction will come back three-fold in additional development and increased property value and tax base within our municipal service district through 2035.” Here’s a link to the study she refers to.

Hopper, executive director for UCP, also points to a proposed high-rise office building from Bank of America:
“University City’s proposed transit line is already spurring plans for intense transit-friendly development on North Tryon Street. Bank of America has requested a zoning change to allow up to 1 million square feet of offices in buildings up to 16 stories tall, just south of Mallard Creek Church Road. The wooded 24-acre site lies within a quarter mile of a proposed light-rail station on Mallard Creek Church Road. The Charlotte City Council will consider the request at its June 15 zoning hearings.” Read more. And here’s a link to the rezoning petition.

Finally, for those who like to read opposing opinions, here’s some red meat for you anti-transit, anti-planning, anti-density readers: George Will on “Why Ray LaHood Is Wrong and Portland Stinks.” [My title, not his.]

2:15 PM – A friend shares with me this riposte to George Will. Link here.
3:28 PM – A TV station in Portland is running an online poll on who would win if George Will debated U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Portland Democrat who’s an avid supporter of transit, bicycling, pedestrians and planned growth. Link here.