I am really, really impressed with Charlotte's Rail Trail development

[TNPanther]

I'll preface this by saying I came up from Atlanta this past weekend for the Falcons game and stayed in an Airbnb-rented space in a complex right by the New Bern light rail station.

I have to say that I am almost blown away by how marvelous of a job Charlotte's urban planners have done with the development surrounding the light rail in SouthEnd. As someone who comes to Charlotte maybe once or twice a year, I love seeing how the city grows in increments, especially along this corridor. The upscale development with the luxury apartment homes, grocery stores, mixed-use shops, restaurants, brewpubs, bars, combined with the high degree of walkability- all along an affordable public transit right-of-way - is top-notch. Not only is the overall corridor aesthetically pleasing and logistically sound, but it is also relatively free from the urban clout that usually affects similar developments that I see around Atlanta. It definitely gives off a "relaxed urban" vibe which is what I as a young professional seek.

Atlanta and other cities could definitely learn a lesson or two from Charlotte's growth. I hope the northeast extension of the light rail spurs similar growth and gentrification along North Tryon

"Charlotte sucks and is boring" crowd, please don't flame me...

[Zaximus]

It's nice, until you realize the light trail needs to be extended to where the majority of traffic in rush hour actually lives (in all directions, and first, down 74).     It's a nice start but we need to ditch the more roads idea and push light trail in all four directions.  

[Happy Panther]

On 11/7/2017 at 11:24 AM, TNPanther said:

I'll preface this by saying I came up from Atlanta this past weekend for the Falcons game and stayed in an Airbnb-rented space in a complex right by the New Bern light rail station.

I have to say that I am almost blown away by how marvelous of a job Charlotte's urban planners have done with the development surrounding the light rail in SouthEnd. As someone who comes to Charlotte maybe once or twice a year, I love seeing how the city grows in increments, especially along this corridor. The upscale development with the luxury apartment homes, grocery stores, mixed-use shops, restaurants, brewpubs, bars, combined with the high degree of walkability- all along an affordable public transit right-of-way - is top-notch. Not only is the overall corridor aesthetically pleasing and logistically sound, but it is also relatively free from the urban clout that usually affects similar developments that I see around Atlanta. It definitely gives off a "relaxed urban" vibe which is what I as a young professional seek.

Atlanta and other cities could definitely learn a lesson or two from Charlotte's growth. I hope the northeast extension of the light rail spurs similar growth and gentrification along North Tryon

"Charlotte sucks and is boring" crowd, please don't flame me...

Yeah Charlotte has come a long way very quickly. 20 years ago I recall trying to meet an out of town guest at a downtown restaurant at 5:00 on a Friday and it was closed. 

But Zax is right that light rail could go 30 miles in every direction.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

It was stupid to send the first leg down South Blvd instead of out to UNCC or the airport.

[Jangler]

 

8 minutes ago, Porn Shop Clerk said:

It was stupid to send the first leg down South Blvd instead of out to UNCC or the airport.

is that where the young boys hang out at?

[Zaximus]

 

2 hours ago, Porn Shop Clerk said:

It was stupid to send the first leg down South Blvd instead of out to UNCC or the airport.

If they ran it in any direction, it would have made more sense than down South Blvd lol.