So much to say, so little time. So here are two quick hits, then news about an opportunity for East Charlotte’s international corridor, Central Avenue.
Ask and ye shall receive? Saw today that Duke Power will help pay to bury some power lines in Greenville, S.C. Why not Charlotte? Apparently Greenville asked and Charlotte didn’t. After a major 2005 ice storm, Greenville and Duke negotiated for a year. Note this line in the story: Duke Energy Carolinas President Ellen Ruff says Greenville and Durham were the only cities in Duke’s service area to push for overhead lines to be relocated. So now Duke’s starting a “pilot project” on cost-sharing with municipalities – but only in S.C.
Argh! Charlotte (and the rest of North Carolina) had a horrific ice storm in December 2002 that knocked out power for a week or more. During Hurricane Hugo in 1989 almost the whole city lost power, many for two weeks or more (including our house). After the 2002 ice storm the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and City Council made a few noises about pushing Duke to bury power lines here. But what got buried was the idea, not the power lines.
More design discussions: Architect Manoj Kesavan says the new point8 online magazine is up and running. Its editorial team is made up of artists, designers, writers and enthusiasts. But, it says, “We believe that what you have to say is far more important than who you are.” The goal: “To promote creativity, critique and communication.”
East Charlotte: Local architects hope to work with Central Avenue’s international corridor to help business owners, property owners, residents and the larger community to “address the urban fabric and architectural issues that hinder the area’s development.” They want to help figure out how to make the area more walkable, more economically vibrant and help build an identifiable image.
(My quick two cents: Change the zoning ordinances that apply. The standard business zoning that much of the street carries allows, even requires, auto-oriented design. And you’re shocked when it gets built?)
The Charlotte chapter of the American Institute of Architects plans to spend the first quarter of 2007 studying the area, and meeting with residents, businesses and other interested groups. In late April, San Diego urban planner Teddy Cruz would facilitate a workshop on the area.
To hear more about ideas for the project, come to the Civic by Design forum 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Levine Museum of the New South uptown.