OF THE 2020 STATE CENTER CITY CHARLOTTE
PRESENTING SPONSOR 85
J.T. Williams Lincoln Druid Hills University Heights North Park Oakview Terrace Washington Heights
Sugar Creek Lakewood Oaklawn Park Double Druid Hills Oaks South McCorey 85 Heights Tryon Hills
Enderly Smallwood Biddleville Greenville North Park Charlotte Lockwood Seversville Villa Optimist Heights Ashley Park Wesley Heights Park Plaza FOURTH WARD Hills 1 MILE 2 MILES THIRD 3 MILES WARD Belmont Bryant Park FIRST UPTOWN WARD Plaza-Midwood
Westover West Boulevard Hills SECOND WARD Wilmore 74 MIDTOWN Commonwealth Revolution Brookhill Elizabeth Park SOUTH END Chantilly Cherry Dilworth Coliseum Southside Drive Park
Center City Partners’ 74 Jurisdiction includes
• Uptown (Charlotte’s Central
Business District - CBD) Eastover • South End Sedgefield
• Midtown Park Road/ Myers Freedom Park Light Rail Park Streetcar Streetcar Construction
D LEADING THE WAY TOWARD A NEW DECADE
The start of a new decade offers a unique opportunity to take stock of our goals Those accomplishments took place against the backdrop of an evolving Center and aspirations. And, as we begin the 2020s, it is clear that Charlotte has closing City that serves as a magnet for top talent and innovative companies. South speed on its competitors. Nowhere is this more evident than in Center City, Tryon’s energy is extending into South End, which has matured as an office which is concluding its most prolific period of growth. market and a center of gravity for companies like Lowe’s, LendingTree and EY. Now, as we enter a new decade, it is time for us to prepare for Charlotte’s next In just the past year, our Center City distinguished itself by making big moves in phase of growth. business, higher education and sports that will profoundly alter the urban core. With the creation of the ALL IN: Center City 2040 Vision Plan, we will have The year began by winning Honeywell’s global headquarters to Uptown, kicking the opportunity to make big moves on transit, to increase our commitment off a tremendous wave of job growth. The merger of BB&T and SunTrust, to affordability and inclusivity, grow jobs and investment, and build upon a which brought Truist’s headquarters to North Tryon, reinforced our leadership growing retail scene. position as a national financial services hub. Atrium Health and Wake Forest University announced plans to create a medical school in Charlotte, which has Charlotte has a decades-long legacy of big thinking. But we are in competition the potential to transform the region’s health care and technology sectors. And every day with great cities across the United States and around the world. As we secured a Major League Soccer franchise that will build upon today’s energy our predecessors have, we must boldly accelerate into this new decade, building and vibrancy. toward our shared vision for an even more thriving and beloved Center City.
Pat Rodgers Michael J. Smith Chair, Board of Directors President & CEO 2019 CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS
The most prolific decade In 2019, 1.6 million SF of office space was 5.7 million SF of office space Charlotte has the second largest The share of workers of development across leased in the CBD, the fourth most active in South End will exist upon population of computer related degree using alternate modes of all real estate categories CBD in the U.S. for leasing. This was the result completion of all planned and holders on the East Coast, second only to transportation such as bus has just been completed of new job announcements and expansions under construction projects. This New York City. and light rail has doubled in Center City which throughout 2019. is more than double the amount since 2010, along with the is consistently among that existed in 2009. Fifteen universities yielded over 13,000 emerging modes of scooters the top 5 for office local graduates in 2019. Joining them are and ride share programs. construction among talented individuals taking advantage U.S. CBDs. of nontraditional programs such as UNC Charlotte’s Coding Boot Camp.
DEVELOPMENT WORK WORK WORK ON THE GO Page 4 Page 6 Page 9 Page 11 Page 12
2 Charlotte’s average rent Visitors, residents and workers 4 out of 10 MSA residents visit Uptown at Center City is a popular destination More growth is on the horizon is 22% lower than peer enjoy over 340 food and beverage least once a year to enjoy a special event or for work and leisure travelers. With for Center City. To ensure a cities. Center City’s rent establishments in Center City, arts and cultural amenity. 5,700+ modern hotel rooms and sustainable future as a vibrant is 28% lower than peer which has grown 13% from 5 years 2,000+ more in the pipeline, Center downtown, plans are underway CBD averages, making ago. Uptown is a mecca for sports fans. City can play host to major events, to expand transit, increase Charlotte one of the most 125+ regular season games of NBA, NFL, such as the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. connectivity and develop talent. affordable fast growing and MiLB take place in Uptown every year. cities in America.
LIVE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE STAY ON THE HORIZON Page 16 Page 22 Page 24 Page 32 Page 34
3 DEVELOPMENT A record decade of development
The past 10 years has been Hotel development has also the most prolific decade of boomed. In 2012, when the development ever for Center city hosted the Democratic City. Acres of parking lots National Convention, 4,400 and underutilized space have rooms were available; when been replaced by offices and the Republican National housing to accommodate Convention kicks off in 2020, highly productive companies over 6,200 rooms will be and their workforce. available in the CBD. Retail Charlotte has remained has also grown, particularly near the top of the busiest in South End, where high CBDs for office construction quality development and quarter after quarter. The rapid residential growth has amount of housing built has attracted multiple national enabled the population to retailers including Sephora double in the past decade. and West Elm.
CENTER CITY FAST FACTS $4B+ 47% 17% of new development of housing has been of office has been planned built in the past decade built in the past decade
PRESENTED BY
mvalaw.com
4 DEVELOPMENT Center City has traditionally had low housing and office vacancy rates which have constrained growth. The new development of the past decade is allowing new companies to locate here and existing ones to expand. An increase in housing means the workforce can grow and enjoy a diverse housing market. More hotel rooms mean an increase in visitors.
DEVELOPMENT BY DECADE
OFFICE SPACE FOR 41,300 OFFICE WORKERS
RETAIL SPACE FOR 81 NEW SHOPS & RESTAURANTS
HOTEL SPACE FOR 1,000,000+ OVERNIGHT VISITORS
RESIDENTIAL SPACE FOR 19,500 NEW RESIDENTS
SOURCE: CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS *INCLUDES UNDER CONSTRUCTION
DEVELOPMENT > CENTER CITY 5 WORK FAST FACTS 1.6M 5,000+ 31% 5,000+ new jobs for a thriving business center square feet of office absorbed new jobs announced growth in residents with a in the first three quarters of 2019 in 2019 bachelor’s degree or higher living in Charlotte from 2010 to 2017
2019 was marked by manufacturing, fintech and major announcements by banking. Charlotte remains corporations establishing an important international offices in Uptown and financial center as the second- South End. New office largest banking hub in the product designed for today’s United States based on assets. workforce, explosive growth Existing businesses have in regional talent, accessibility also seen a strong period of and an unmistakable energy expansion within Center City, attracted new businesses from driving much of the leasing a variety of sectors including at new and renovated retail technology, diversified office projects.
PRESENTED BY
cbi-nc.com
6 WORK The urban environment is where energy is naturally unleashed through the collision of diverse people and experiences. It is critical to attracting a great workforce. When business leverages good design and an agile, interactive workplace inside this urban environment, it results in an experience that people want to be a part of.”
David Longo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CBI | Workplace Solutions
RECENT CENTER CITY RELOCATION & EXPANSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
NAME LOCATION JOBS ANNOUNCED INDUSTRY
Ally Bank Stonewall Street Uptown 1,700 Banking
AvidXchange Expansion AvidXchange Music Factory 1,200 Fintech
Better.com WeWork RailYard 1,000 Mortgage
Dimensional Fund Advisors Dimensional Place South End 316 Financial Services
Honeywell Legacy Union Uptown 750 Technology Management
Krispy Kreme Hawkins Street South End 120 Food Service Management
LendingTree Spectrum South End 436 Mortgage
Lowe's Design Center South End 2,000 Retail/Management/Tech
Mitsubishi WeWork | 615 S College Street 300 Financial Services
Truist Hearst Tower 2,000 Banking
SOURCE: CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS WORK > JOB GROWTH 7 BUILDING APPRECIATIONS - SALES PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT
32% 41% 119% Gateway Center Johnston Building 400 South Tryon 2016 - 2019 2015 - 2019 2014 - 2018
PEER CBD OFFICE ABSORPTION VS RENTS (YEAR TO DATE OCTOBER 2019) Uptown 1.6M+ Uptown’s office market draws square feet of office strong demand from tenants absorbed in 2019 across a variety of industries. Despite consistent quarters of rent growth, Uptown remains a value 27% compared to CBDs in competitive of Charlotte’s tech jobs markets with average rents almost are in Uptown 1/3 lower. Employment has grown by 57% over the past 10 years. This demand is spurring new 34% development and creating profits growth in financial, for property owners; recent building professional services and management-related jobs trades have set price records. in 5 years
PEER CITIES INCLUDE: ATLANTA, AUSTIN, BOSTON, CHICAGO, DALLAS, DENVER, HOUSTON, NASHVILLE, RALEIGH, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON DC 8 WORK > UPTOWN SOURCE: JLL SOUTH END OFFICE SPACE
South End
South End has emerged as a top pick In 2019, over 3,500 new jobs were for new office leases. EY, Lowe’s, announced for South End. These LendingTree and Dimensional Fund new businesses will join almost 400 Advisors have joined a host of professional firms that currently call businesses that value the innovative South End home. energy found in South End.
SOURCE: CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS
At Dimensional, we believe our employees are our most important asset, and our South End location has been a phenomenal place in helping us find and attract exceptional talent to best serve our clients.”
Aaron Marcus, Head of Global Human Resources, Dimensional Fund Advisors
WORK > SOUTH END 9 Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Small business and start up activity is a key part of Center City’s business community. Two of North Carolina’s most well known start ups, Tresata and AvidXchange, have grown into unicorns, valued at over $1 billion, within the footprint of Center City. A mix of local coworking spaces, groups like Carolina Fintech Hub and a collaborative and supportive business environment are helping fuel innovative new companies. Center City’s coworking spaces allow for start up activity as well as flexible space for larger companies.
2/3 1/3 500,000+ OF BUSINESSES HAVE FEWER OF SMALL BUSINESSES ARE SQUARE FEET OF THAN 10 EMPLOYEES IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COWORKING & FLEXIBLE OFFICE SPACE, IDEAL FOR LAUNCHING BUSINESSES
There is no other place like Deal Days where someone can pitch their company to a group of C-suite executives that have the ability to bend the business development cycle from 6-12 months to 60 minutes. These C-suite executives, who usually are competitors, come together to collaborate to help Charlotte’s entrepreneur ecosystem be cutting edge.”
Tariq Bokhari, Executive Director, Carolina Fintech Hub
10 WORK > SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Talent
Talent growth has been tremendous Education has played a major role in in the Charlotte metro area. More building the workforce as 15 higher employment opportunities have driven learning institutes confer degrees new talent to the region, and the growth within the region. Additionally, in talent has driven new business to Charlotte attracts graduates from the region. major universities throughout the Southeast. Options including UNC Of new residents in the region, Charlotte Coding Boot Camp, Tech 52% relocated for an employment Talent South and Central Piedmont opportunity. Center City’s amenities Community College allow for workers offer a dynamic workday experience to access new skills and training within which allows for people to get out a short time frame. Center City is also and draw inspiration from the urban home to multiple MBA programs. landscape and density of ideas.
TECH TALENT BY CITY Why do workers like Center City?
32% ACCESS TO NETWORKING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
29% DIVERSITY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES
24% PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
15% CREATIVE INSPIRATION
TOP 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF WORKING IN CENTER CITY
SOURCE: US CENSUS
43% 39% 33% VARIETY OF RESTAURANTS WALKABILITY ENERGETIC URBAN & COFFEE SHOPS ENVIRONMENT
SOURCES: CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS 2019 PERCEPTION SURVEY WORK > TALENT 11 FAST FACTS PRESENTED BY 30% 178 48,000+ of workers commute via nonstop destinations commuter parking spaces in Uptown, public transit for either all from Charlotte Douglas coupled with 6,400+ Park & Ride tandh.com or part of their trip International Airport spaces along the Blue Line
ON THE GO
Center City lies at the Scooter and bike share convergence of the region’s options make it easy to road and transit network, travel around South End making it simple for workers and Uptown, especially with to access. Charlotte Douglas new bike lanes and the Rail International Airport is Trail. Construction will begin located less than 15 minutes in 2021 on a new pedestrian from Uptown and offers bridge over I-277 making the 1,400 daily arrivals and connection between the two departures. districts seamless for those on foot or bike. In 2020, B-Cycle will add e-bikes to its fleet of bicycles.
12 ON THE GO By Air
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the second largest hub for American Airlines, the world’s largest airline. This provides for outstanding connectivity with 178 nonstop destinations offered. CLT is easily accessible from Center City via a 15 minute drive. The airport is also served by an express bus that leaves from Uptown every 20 minutes throughout the day.
FLIGHT TIMES
UNDER 1 HOUR
UNDER 2 HOURS
UNDER 3 HOURS
3 HOURS OR MORE 37 International Flights 8 Direct Flights to Europe
ON THE GO > BY AIR 13 TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR COMMUTERS
6,400 8 18 48,000 FREE PARK & RIDE SPACES LIGHT RAIL EXPRESS BUS ROUTES PROFESSIONALLY ALONG THE BLUE LINE LIGHT STOPS SERVE & 26 LOCAL MANAGED RAIL PLUS 37 ADDITIONAL CENTER CITY ROUTES SERVE PARKING SPACES PARK & RIDE LOTS SERVED UPTOWN IN UPTOWN BY EXPRESS BUSES
Growth in Commuters by Mode Since 2010
193% LOCAL OR EXPRESS BUS
193% LIGHT RAIL
80% LIVE / WORK / WALK
Public Transit & Parking
Center City offers workers many options for commuting. The network of bus and transit service, including free Park & Ride lots, allows commuters flexibility in how they get to work. One-third of all commuters use transit or walk as a part of their daily commute.
14 ON THE GO > PUBLIC TRANSIT& PARKING Getting Around
One of the most loved aspects of Center City is the ability to park the car or step off transit and have a safe and enjoyable pedestrian experience with shaded sidewalks and an interesting streetscape. For cyclists, the first phase of the 5th and 6th Street Protected Bike Lane (cycle track) opened in 2019 providing a link from the Irwin Creek Greenway to the west and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway to the east. The cycle track is expected to be complete by 2021, with more to come.
CONNECTED & EASY TO GET AROUND
1.9M+ 25,000+ 2,000+ SCOOTER TRIPS SINCE PEDESTRIANS A DAY USERS A DAY ON PROGRAM LAUNCH IN 2018 AT TRADE & TRYON RAIL TRAIL
94 80% 240+ UPTOWN WALK SCORE CITED WALKABILITY SHOPS & “WALKER’S PARADISE” AS VERY IMPORTANT RESTAURANTS WITHIN IN THEIR DECISION TO A 15 MINUTE WALK OF MOVE TO SOUTH END TRADE & TRYON
ON THE GO > GETTING AROUND 15 LIVE
Homebuilding kicked off to living a vibrant urban the development boom lifestyle. Home ownership of the past decade and opportunities are available has not slowed down. with a steady supply of New homes have filled resale homes in Uptown and every corner of Center City multiple new townhouse FAST FACTS providing opportunities projects in South End. for people to enjoy a walkable Additionally, within three 93% 135% 30% urban place. The apartment miles of Uptown, a wide growth in housing units growth in housing units of Center City residents have since 2010 in Uptown since 2010 in South End moved in over the past year market has consistent low variety of housing options is vacancy rates and steadily available offering a simple increasing rents indicative transit, bike or car commute. of the value assigned
PRESENTED BY
circauptown.com
16 LIVE One of Charlotte’s greatest assets is its diverse housing market within an easy commute of Center City. For residents seeking an urban environment, Uptown and South End have over 18,000 market rate homes to choose from including luxury high rise, midrise flats, town homes and historic single family homes. Additionally, work force and senior housing is also located in the area.
Uptown is ringed by a wide variety of neighborhoods offering single family homes that are popular with families. For residents looking for more space, mass transit makes Uptown an easy commute from our suburban communities. AVERAGE RENT & MEDIAN HOME PRICE COMPARED TO PEER CITIES
AVERAGE RENT MEDIAN HOME PRICE COST OF LIVING** CENTER CITY $1,787 $461,300* NA
CHARLOTTE REGION $1,467 $235,000 98.9
PEER CBD*** $2,484 $573,291* NA
PEER REGION $2,068 $419,000 138
* ZILLOW AVERAGE HOME VALUE SOURCES: RENT CAFE & NAHB ** < 100 IS U.S. AVERAGE. LOWER IS MORE AFFORDABLE. *** PEER CITIES LISTED ON PAGE 8
LIVE 17 UPTOWN RESIDENT FACTS
There’s nothing quite like living in Fourth 33% 73% 2 Ward. You’re hard pressed not to run into OF HOUSEHOLDS INCREASE IN THE NUMBER FULL SERVICE HAVE A DOG OF RESIDENTS UNDER AGE 5 GROCERY STORES neighbors and friends while strolling IN THE PAST 5 YEARS through our historic district. Whether I’m walking to work, to one of the myriad of restaurants and bars, a show or sporting 131 30% 70% event, Fourth Ward residents are out and ACRES OF GREEN OF HOMES ARE OWNER OF RESIDENTS OVER 18 AND OPEN SPACE OCCUPIED / AVERAGE LIST HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE about throughout Uptown enjoying the PRICE $296,250 city. It really makes this a special place quite unlike any other.”
Jeremy Baldwin, Uptown resident
Uptown
Uptown offers residents a walkable urban lifestyle with housing at a variety of types and price points. The variety of homes and neighborhoods creates a unique mix of affordable housing, modern high rise apartment complexes, historic homes and mid rise condominiums, with homes suited to all life stages.
18 LIVE > UPTOWN South End
South End has experienced 186% population growth over the past decade. The big draw to the district is the walkable urban environment filled with shops and restaurants. Housing options include modern apartment homes mixed with a variety of town homes for sale.
DENSITY CHANGE
PEOPLE >1 6 14 PER ACRE
YEAR 2000 2010 2020
SOUTH END RESIDENT FACTS Living in such a fun and unique place like South End means you can walk to anything you are looking for. From cute breakfast spots, like Lincoln’s Haberdashery, to 66% 97% 33% OF RESIDENTS MOVED IN CITED THE ABILITY TO WALK OF RESIDENTS WORK entertaining bars like Pins Mechanical FROM ANOTHER CITY / OF TO SHOPS & RESTAURANTS IN UPTOWN THOSE NEW RESIDENTS TWO AS A KEY REASON THEY OR SOUTH END Company, there is something for everyone!” OUT OF THREE MOVED TO CHOSE SOUTH END CHARLOTTE FOR WORK Justine Blayney, South End resident
LIVE > SOUTH END 19 EXPERIENCE FAST FACTS 26 75+ 17 new bars & restaurants works of public art new services & soft goods Center City consistently events to create an exciting opened in 2019 to explore retailers opened in 2019 offers new and exciting environment for both new experiences for visitors. New and returning visitors, shops, restaurants, bars and residents and workers. 125+ 365 131+ breweries open every week. 2019 was a banner year for professional sporting events days of music & events, acres of open space in Uptown per year ranging from family including award winning including parks, urban trails & Public spaces are constantly events as Uptown hosted friendly Minor League parades, arts, events & greenways for active recreation changing, with new murals, the NBA All-Star game. Baseball to events drawing festivals that show case art and events. The creative Charlotte SHOUT! debuted in fans from across the the region’s talent & country like the 2019 NBA bring artists & musicians energy flowing from these as a multi-week celebration All-Star Game from around the world experiences combines with of art, music, food and ideas. to Charlotte Center City’s established 80% of the region’s residents arts and cultural scene and come Uptown at least once robust calendar of sporting a year.
PRESENTED BY
20 EXPERIENCE patrickschneiderphoto.com EXPERIENCE 21 7 32 250+ CRAFT BREWERIES COFFEE SHOPS, RESTAURANTS IN SOUTH END, WITH 19 22 LOCALLY OWNED MORE JUST A SHORT UBER OR LIGHT RAIL RIDE AWAY
35 7 24 COCKTAIL LOUNGES ICE CREAM SHOPS, FITNESS STUDIOS & WINE BARS 6 BAKERIES, & GYMS 2 CHOCOLATE CRAFTERS, 1 HONEYBUN FACTORY & 1 DOUGHNUT R&D LAB
Restaurants & Bars
Restaurants and bars are an important 70% of regional visitors eat out in part of the Center City environment. Center City. Driven by growing numbers For residents, being able to walk to of workers, residents and visitors, the these establishments consistently past decade has seen an explosion in ranks at the top of why people move the options for eating and drinking here. 86% of workers eat out for lunch in and around Center City, with new at least once a week and cite the concepts opening regularly. selection of bars and restaurants as one of the perks of working in Center City.
22 EXPERIENCE > RESTAURANTS & BARS Shop
Retail is growing, with South End Shopping events such as Front Porch becoming a hot spot for major national Sundays, Small Business Saturday retailers including Sephora, Bonobos and The Uptown Flea pop up and Design Within Reach joining unique regularly bring a festive vibe local shops such as Girl Tribe, Magnolia to the retail scene. Emporium and Ultra Running Company.
65% $119,000 $94,271 OF SOUTH END RESIDENTS AVERAGE CENTER CITY AVERAGE CENTER CITY ATTEND FRONT PORCH HOUSEHOLD INCOME WORKER INCOME SUNDAYS MAKING IT THE MOST HIGHLY ATTENDED EVENT IN THE DISTRICT
EXPERIENCE > SHOP 23 Arts & Culture
Center City is home to the region’s most active performing, cultural and visual arts institutions. Over half of the region’s residents make it into Uptown each year to enjoy a show or exhibition at one of these world class venues.
35,000+ 180,000+ 1,400+ 120+ WORKS OF ART IN THE STUDENTS VISIT DISCOVERY MODERN WORKS OF ART AT YEARLY PERFORMANCES AT MINT MUSEUMS’ COLLECTIONS PLACE YEARLY THE BECHTLER MUSEUM THE BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
75+ 28 22 2 WORKS OF PUBLIC ART PROFESSIONAL DANCERS 22 UNIQUE PRODUCTIONS IN MUSEUMS DEDICATED TO CULTURE WITH MORE ON THE WAY WITH THE CHARLOTTE BALLET THE 2019-2020 SEASON OF THE & HISTORY - THE HARVEY B. GANTT PLUS 1,000+ STUDENTS AT THE CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CHARLOTTE BALLET ACADEMY ARTS & CULTURE & THE LEVINE MUSEUM OF THE NEW SOUTH
24 EXPERIENCE > ARTS & CULTURE 4 1.9M 125 PROFESSIONAL TEAMS CALL FANS ATTENDED REGULAR REGULAR HOME SEASON CENTER CITY HOME SEASON GAMES IN 2019 GAMES PLAYED IN UPTOWN IN 2019
17+ $87.7M 250,000+ HOME GAMES PER MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT OUT OF TOWN VISITORS SEASON TO BE PLAYED BY OF THE 2019 NBA CAME FOR 2019 SPECIAL CHARLOTTE’S NEW MAJOR ALL-STAR GAME EVENTS INCLUDING LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT & BELK BOWL
Sports
Uptown Charlotte plays host to a variety of sporting events year round. Three professional teams make Uptown their home, while a variety of special events and tournaments, including: the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, the ACC Football Championship, and international soccer events, regularly draw crowds. Games played by Charlotte’s new MLS team and the 2020 ACC Baseball Tournament will add to the mix!
EXPERIENCE > SPORTS 25 Events
Special events are a big driver of visitors to Center City. Nearly 60% of visitors from the region come to Uptown at least once a year for these unique experiences. Parades, pop up shopping events, cultural festivals and art crawls keep the calendar busy year-round.
100+ YEARLY EVENTS & PROGRAMS PRODUCED BY CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS 200+ BUSINESSES PARTICIPATE IN SOUTH END’S ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY EVENT 72 YEARS OF TRADITION BEHIND THE NOVANT HEALTH THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE 65% OF SOUTH END RESIDENTS REGULARLY ATTEND SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUCH AS FRONT PORCH SUNDAYS & GALLERY CRAWLS 60% OF THE REGION’S RESIDENTS COME UPTOWN AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR TO ATTEND A SPECIAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL
26 EXPERIENCE > EVENTS Charlotte SHOUT! brings two weeks of internationally recognized art, music, food and ideas together for a festival that reaches all corners of Center City. The diverse offerings include performances geared toward children, multiple musical genres and thought provoking conversations. Most of the activities are free to the public.
EXPERIENCE > EVENTS 27 Parks & Rail Trail
Center City has a wide variety of public Additionally, the first phase of the spaces for visitors to enjoy. From 6th Street cycle track opened in 2019 the energetic and lively art-lined Rail which creates a safe connection to 22 Trail, to Romare Bearden Park with its miles of greenway. Residents love their specialty gardens, artwork and water parks: 60% of Uptown residents go features, there is a park for every once a week, and 60% of South End mood. Many of these spaces also play residents hit the Rail Trail weekly. host to regular events, serving as Charlotte’s front yard.
18 1 5 PARKS & OPEN SPACE OFF LEASH PLAYGROUNDS FEATURES IN UPTOWN DOG PARK
3 22 7 SPRAY GROUNDS, MILES OF GREENWAY PARKS HOSTING 1 AQUATIC CENTER, CONNECT THROUGH REGULAR EVENTS 1 INDOOR WATER PARK UPTOWN
28 EXPERIENCE > PARKS & RAIL TRAIL 15 200+ 2,000+ WORKS OF ART SHOPS & RESTAURANTS DAILY USERS ALONG THE RAIL TRAIL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE ON THE RAIL TRAIL OF THE RAIL TRAIL
EXPERIENCE > PARKS & RAIL TRAIL 29 AMBASSADORS
FAST FACTS
632 3,000+ 36,000+ homelessness service safety escorts for guests of Uptown served with referrals in 2019 visitors in 2019 hospitality assistance in 2019
In 2019, a Center City Ambassador program launched in Uptown. The uniformed ambassadors provide hospitality services to ensure guests are able to make the most of their experience. Ambassadors also play a critical role in connecting homeless citizens to social service providers and agencies.
30 AMBASSADORS 2019 PANHANDLING INTERVENTIONS
AMBASSADORS 31 FAST FACTS 1.9M $180 50% estimated overnight ADR, the 10th of rooms built or visitors in 2019 consecutive year renovated since 2015 of increase
STAY
Steady demand from In 2019, the first hotel business travelers, growth opened in South End, in conventions and an testimony to the demand increase in leisure travelers driven by the district’s new have sparked demand for office users and the growth new hotel rooms. In the of amenities such as shops past decade, the number and restaurants. of hotel rooms in Center City has grown by 36%.
32 STAY Center City offers a great hotel selection with modern rooms; almost half of the rooms in Uptown have been built or renovated since 2015.
UPTOWN HOTEL OCCUPANCY RATES & AVERAGE DAILY RATES YEARLY ROOM NIGHTS BOOKED IN UPTOWN
SOURCES: CRVA & STR
STAY > HOTELS 33 ON THE HORIZON Building Building Capacity
The Center City 2040 Stonewall Street and South End North Tryon Street is set to kick off a major The Silver Line light rail studies The Gold Line Streetcar Vision Plan is underway have added 2 million square feet redevelopment project with a new public library as the are underway. The next phase of is expanding west to link and will create a blueprint of office, with 4.6 million square centerpiece. Multiple development sites are available in light rail will connect Uptown to Uptown and Johnson for the future growth feet planned or under construction. the district with the North Tryon Vision Plan in place to points east toward Matthews and C. Smith University, of Center City. The plan These new developments are guide the vision of the area as a vibrant urban place. West to the Charlotte Douglas and east into the Plaza will be heavily informed expanding the CBD south along the International Airport. Midwood neighborhood. by comprehensive light rail line, providing new Class A The completion of this community engagement. office for business growth. expansion will create an additional transit alternative for these communities.
PRESENTED BY
progressiveae.com
34 ON THE HORIZON Connection Adding Excitement Growing Talent
Gateway Station is a major A pedestrian bridge over I-277 is in the Creating a new Blue Line A medical school has been Major League Soccer awarded multimodal transit project that planning stages. A public/private partnership Station in South End is proposed for Charlotte, Charlotte an expansion team, the will include Amtrak service, local is enabling the project to go forward and being considered. A potential a collaboration between league’s 30th. With support from and regional bus service as well as bring an iconic design element to the station located between Atrium Health, Wake Forest the City of Charlotte, NFL Carolina a light rail stop. The new station city, while giving pedestrians and cyclists East/West and New Bern Baptist Health and Wake Panthers owner David Tepper led is underway and is envisioned as using the Rail Trail a safe and efficient link stations would be funded via Forest University. Planning and secured the expansion bid. a mixed use district with housing, between Uptown and South End. a public/private partnership. will begin in 2020. The team will begin to play in Bank office and retail. The station would create of America Stadium in 2021. easier access to a variety of retail offerings including Publix as well as several new office projects.
ON THE HORIZON 35 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Board of Directors
Pat Rodgers – Chair Jesse Cureton Tom Glick Janet LaBar Cindy Noble Rodgers Novant Health Carolina Panthers Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Compass Group, North America
Tom Finke – Chair-Elect Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer Malcolm Graham Tiffani Lewis Mike Praeger Barings Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte City Council Entrepreneur AvidXchange
Diane Morais - Treasurer Dena Diorio Johno Harris Carol Lovin Ernie Reigel Ally Bank Mecklenburg County Lincoln Harris Atrium Health Moore & Van Allen
Jennifer Appleby Dr. Philip Dubois Mark Holoman Dr. Michael Marsicano Pat Riley Wray Ward UNC Charlotte Cousins Properties Foundation For The Carolinas Allen Tate Companies
Jeep Bryant George Dunlap Taiwo Jaiyeoba Katie Morgan Terry Shook Arts & Science Council Mecklenburg County Board City of Charlotte Bank of America Shook Kelley of Commissioners Clay Armbrister Marcus Jones Tom Murray Earnest Winston Johnson C. Smith University Rob Engel City of Charlotte Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Wells Fargo Malcomb Coley Sam Judd Tom Nelson Darrel Williams EY David Furman Asana Partners National Gypsum Neighboring Concepts Centro CityWorks
Sponsors Credits
PRESENTING SPONSOR SECTION SPONSORS DESIGN
progressiveae.com cbi-nc.com circauptown.com rachelmartindesign.com
PHOTOGRAPHY ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY
mvalaw.com Austin Caine Photography photos.austincaine.com tandh.com
Travis Dove Photography travisdove.com patrickschneiderphoto.com L. Wolff Photography lwolffphoto.com
36 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 37 200 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 1600 | CHARLOTTE, NC 28202 | 704.332.2227