2022 State of the Center City

2022

state of the center city presenting sponsor

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University Park

J.T. Williams

Lincoln Heights

Druid Hills North

Oakview Terrace Washington Heights Lakewood

Sugar Creek

Oaklawn Park

Double Oaks

McCorey Heights

85

Druid Hills South Tryon Hills

Smallwood

Enderly Park

Greenville

Biddleville

North Charlotte

Lockwood

Seversville UPTOWN

Ashley Park

FOURTH WARD

Wesley Heights

Villa Heights

Optimist Park

Plaza Hills

1 Mile 2 Miles

THIRD WARD

Bryant Park Westover Hills Wilmore

FIRST WARD

SOUTH END

Plaza Midwood

SECOND WARD 74

MIDTOWN

Revolution Park

3 Miles

Belmont

Brookhill

Commonwealth Elizabeth

Dilworth

Chantilly

Cherry

Coliseum Drive

Southside Park

74 Area For purposes of this document, Center City Partners’ Service refers to a combination of:

Eastover

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is only 5 miles from the heart of the CBD.

Sedgefield

• Uptown (Charlotte’s Central Business District — CBD) • South End • Midtown

Park Road/ Freedom Park

Myers Park

The term Center City refers to the ‘2 Mile Ring’ or the neighborhoods within 2 miles of “The Square” at Trade and Tryon streets.

Blue Line Light Rail

Gold Line Streetcar

Silver Line Light Rail (planned)

One of the great pleasures of the past two years, as we navigated the pandemic’s protracted impacts on communities of all sizes, has been witnessing the excitement as people come together again. They are rediscovering beloved places; connecting with family, friends, and business partners; and immersing themselves in experiences that spark joy. Much of this resilience is on display in downtowns, which continue to play a vital role in the future of work, culture, and community.

As we look toward the future, the innovators and investors, families and fans, talent and thought leaders who make our urban core are redefining the way it shapes our lives.

There is no going back to normal; Charlotte Center City is bounding forward.

Our optimism about Charlotte Center City is unbridled. Looking ahead, we see the immense possibilities articulated by this community and adopted by policymakers in the Center City 2040 Vision Plan. This unifying vision and framework clearly outlines transformational opportunities for the growth and development of the neighborhoods within a two-mile radius of the central business district. The Plan builds upon the last decade’s unprecedented growth and considers the more than $4 billion of new development currently in the pipeline and the record-breaking building transactions that closed in the past year.

We are also energized by the way Center City is bounding forward through innovation—from a bold new medical school and innovation campus to micro-investments by entrepreneurs repositioning their businesses to thrive in a post-pandemic world. Investors and employers continue to understand Charlotte’s ability to develop, recruit, and retain top talent from around the world. The city ranks second in America for diverse tech talent, many of whom bring new skills, ideas, and aspirations to our community and their employers.

As they plant roots here, these people discover Center City’s vibrancy: thriving arts, culture, and sports; resilient healthcare infrastructure; investments in mobility; abundant hospitality amenities; and access to outdoor spaces that range from hidden rooftop patios to lush green spaces.

Center City is a dynamic, perpetually changing place. We invite you to join us.

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vision

04

talent

08

development

12

work

16

living

20

highlights

22

hospitality

26

mobility

32

outdoors Tom Finke Chair, Board of Directors

Michael J. Smith President & CEO

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experience

01

02 03

06 08 05

04

10

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vision

07

The values, priorities, and projects outlined in the Center City 2040 Vision Plan were adopted by City Council in late 2021 and provide a framework for growth in the urban core over the next two decades. This community-led vision enables Center City to bound forward, specifically calling out ten focus areas where the public and private sectors can work with the community to realize transformative development and guide investment.

01

West Trade Street / Beatties Ford Road Corridor

Reconfigure the interchange at I-77 and West Trade Street to create new public land for development that generates new tax revenue that can be reinvested back into the West End.

02

North End Neighborhoods

Create a new mobility hub at the heart of a dense mixed-use redevelopment of the Hal Marshall site where the Blue Line and planned Silver Line light rail will intersect.

03

Cedar Yards / Foundry District

Create a lively mixed-use district around Bank of America Stadium that integrates wellness, athletics, and entertainment activities.

04

South End

Better connect South End and Uptown by capping the I-277 freeway between College and Church Streets, creating new space for new parks and commercial spaces.

05

Government District

Transform Government District into a full service, mixed-use neighborhood.

06

Tryon Street Uptown

“Reimagine” Tryon Street by creating a comprehensive new streetscape, activating the ground floor environment and attracting diverse local shops, and restaurants.

07

East Trade Street / Elizabeth Avenue

Redesign and program current public spaces at Government Center Plaza, Old City Hall and the Old County Courthouse to be more useful and attractive public spaces along East Trade Street.

08

Brevard Street

Transform Brevard Street into a fun, authentically Charlotte place that complements the existing hospitality destinations and celebrates Second Ward’s African American history.

09

Medical & Wellness Innovation District

Create a new neighborhood centered on health education and innovation that benefits residents, schools, and the surrounding area.

10

Second Ward High School

Rebuild Second Ward High School with a unique curriculum addressing economic mobility and aligned with business needs and partnerships.

To learn more, visit

allin2040.com

03

talent Young, talented professionals gravitate to Center City with new skills, ideas and aspirations.

The influx of innovative talent arriving daily coupled with Charlotte’s highly skilled and educated residents create an enduring energy to Charlotte’s urban center.

Existing and new educational institutions in and around Center City will continue to best prepare the next generation of talent.

insights

120 people

move to Charlotte each day

section presented by

04

#7

fastest growing large metros in the U.S. from 2015-2020

33

median age for Center City resident in 2020

71%

residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2019

27%

residents with an advanced degree in 2019

2

in the nation in diverse tech talent 6.0%

2.0%

-6.0%

Atlanta

Most diverse tech markets

-12.0% -14.0%

to by

Eric

Hali

li

Top 5 market in U.S. and Canada for tech talent job creation

#6 in the U.S. and Canada for tech talent pool growth rates with 31% from 2016-2020 CBRE Research, Scoring Tech Talent 2021

Austin

-10.0%

San Francisco

San Diego

-8.0%

Los Angeles / Orange Co

-4.0%

Nashville

-2.0%

Charlotte

0.0% Pittsburgh

The difference between tech talent jobs and office-using jobs per market

4.0%

Pho

#

Least diverse tech markets

Top 10

in millennial population growth in U.S. by market since 2014

05

Center City’s education super-region and hyper-local vicinity fuel the talent pipeline 1

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2

Johnson C. Smith University

3

Johnson & Wales University

4

Queens University

5

Northeastern University

6

Central Piedmont Community College

7

Montreat College

8

Davidson College

9

Gardner Webb University

15 East Carolina University 16 UNC Wilmington 17 Georgia State University 18 Emory University

26 nationally ranked

19 Georgia Tech

#1 producer of

higher-education institutions are located in a 200-mile radius of Center City

20 University of Georgia 21 Clemson University 22 University of South Carolina

Computer Science graduates in NC, SC and VA as well as African American, Hispanic and female computer science graduates in North Carolina

23 The University of Tennessee 24 Virginia Tech 25 University of Virginia

10 Appalachian State University

26 Virginia Commonwealth University

11 Wake Forest University 12 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

25

13 North Carolina State University 14 Duke University

26

24

2

11

10

23

8

14 13

9

3

12 15

5 7

1 Mile

1

2 Miles

11 22

21 19 17

06

18

6 16

20 22

9 are in about a 2-mile radius 4

The Innovation District Supported by $1.5 billion in private funding and $75 million in public investment, the district will create thousands of accessible, good-paying jobs in Center City.

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Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health, and Wake Forest University are building a four-year medical school and research campus in Midtown along the East Morehead corridor. This multi-phase development will include research towers; hotel, residential, and mixed-used projects; and usher in a new era of healthcare education, innovation, and social impact for Charlotte.

The medical school and innovation district will further diversify Charlotte’s employment sectors and support a diverse and growing talent pipeline, while generating over 5,500 new jobs in Center City with annual earnings of $514 million. This new academic channel will attract and support a different pipeline of STEM-based industries, research dollars, and highly skilled talent to the heart of the Charlotte region.

talent 07

08

develop ment Center City continues its development momentum

with strong signals of underlying confidence for the urban center, even in a year disrupted by COVID. The diversified portfolio of space being created for office workers, retail shops, residents, visitors and creatives will all be pandemic informed. Center City will be best positioned for the future of work, retail, living, visiting and the arts.

This 1 million sq ft, 40-story building will be the newest addition to Charlotte’s skyline and Duke Energy’s new corporate headquarters. The Duke Energy Plaza will house approximately 4,400 employees and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022 with interior work extending into 2023.

section presented by

09

insights development

$

4

billion+ of new development is already planned for 2022

5.5+ million sq ft of office planned

437,000+

sq ft of retail planned The Winnifred apartment and micro-retail community nestled behind The Railyard

750+

new hotel rooms planned

5,600+

new apartment homes planned

10

Lowe’s Global Technology Center in South End

Over $1.4 billion in buildings traded hands in Q3 2021,

Buildings Sold (price // $ per sq ft)

representing the highest quarterly total for Charlotte dating back to 2000. The largest sales occurred in and near Center City. In late 2021, the Lowe’s Global Technology Center in South End set a record for the highest sales price per square foot in North Carolina history.

65%

Lowe’s Global Technology Center $318M // $889 per sq ft Honeywell Global Headquarters $275M // $735 per sq ft

RailYard $201M // $612 per sq ft

Ally Charlotte Center $390M // $505 per sq ft

300 South Brevard $201M // $560 per sq ft

Truist Tower $455.5M // $470 per sq ft

The Refinery $55.25M // $516 per sq ft

One South $217.5M // $305 per sq ft

of office building sales in Center City Partners’ service area last year were purchased by institutional investors

Development by decade

office 4,622,017

4,452,651

5,270,954

7,655,535

4,923,931

Space for 24,620 workers

retail 140k

314,669

1,131,733

862,596

150k

17 new shops and restaurants

hotels 1,319

181

1,495

1,798

1,472

534,336 more overnight visitors

undi

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8,188

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418

residential fo

2,481 3,970 new residents

1980-1989

1990-1999

2000-2009

2010-2019

2020-2021* * includes under construction

development 11

work

Major employers continue to invest in new or expanded locations in Center City to help retain and attract talent. These companies are then able to be more innovative and flexible as they prepare for growth and the future of work. Job growth in office-based sectors of financial activities and professional services in Charlotte have made a full recovery. Center City has a diversified mix of major employers and state-of-the-art spaces explicitly designed for employee well-being, collaboration, and professional development.

Center City is a flexible, dynamic, and forward-leaning environment where companies grow and develop to best meet the needs of their employees and customers.

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12

“We are proud of our new, state-of-the-art Ally Charlotte Center and the impact it will have on the Uptown Charlotte community, especially as the city emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charlotte has proven to be an incredible city to support our growth as a major corporate center. It’s a dynamic, diverse community with the best of the best talent, both culturally and professionally.”

Jeffrey Brown, CEO, Ally Financial

Major employer announcements in 2021

insights 184,000+

estimated number of Center City workers*

Photo courtesy of Ally

65,000+

Center City jobs are in financial, professional services and management

$35

office market rent per sq ft in Center City

#1

Charlotte first in the nation for office space delivery in 2021 (JLL)

*The total employment base was visibly lower due to many people working remotely during COVID

#1

North Carolina has the nation’s top state business climate in 2021 (Site Selection)

#7

top cities for job seekers in 2021 (Money Geek)

13

uptowninsights

The $25+ million improvements at One Independence Center reflect the innovative workforce in the heart of Uptown.

*The total employment base was visibly lower due to many people working remotely during COVID

43%

100,000+

workers in uptown*

of workers in finance and insurance; real estate and leasing; and professional, scientific, and technical services

$37

90%+

market rent per sq ft across all office classes

buildings delivered in the past two years are more than 90% leased

Photo courtesy of CBI

Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Uptown Uptown has the Charlotte metro’s largest office space inventory

Peer CBD Class A office inventory versus rents 25M

with a wide variety of major employers and large share of its Fortune 500 headquarters. Compared with peer central business districts, Class A office space in Uptown strikes a balance between availability and affordability.

There is currently 25.5 million sq ft of office inventory with an additional 1 million under construction.

$

70

$

66.93

20M

14

42.34

39.27

60

$

50

40.39

$

40

$

30

$

20

$

10

$

0

37.93

36.67

31.26 28.35

5M

Photo courtesy of Honeywell

Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

$

15M

10M

When a Fortune 100 technology company announces its relocation to a state or metropolitan area in the U.S., people are understandably curious about the benefits it will bring. Today I can tell you, we are nearly 1,000 Honeywell employees assigned to our headquarters in Charlotte. Some moved here from our previous HQ. We have hired many from the great state of North Carolina with its impressive pool of talent.”

80

0 Charlotte, NC

RaleighDurham, NC

Atlanta, GA

Class A office space inventory in sq ft

Austin, TX

Nashville, TN

Phoenix, AZ

Average direct asking rent per sq ft

Tampa, Fl

Average

Source: Costar, JLL Q4 2021

783,000

12 month net absorption sq ft; a 1,087% increase to prior period

*The total employment base was visibly lower due to many people working remotely during COVID

Office supply has grown more than

Photo by Eric Halili

South End continues to grow as a destination

for both Class-A office space and major employers. It is only one of two urban pockets in the U.S. where office supply more than doubled over the past halfdecade. There is currently 4.5 million sq ft of office inventory with an additional 819,000 under construction.

2x

in the past five years

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85%

of workers viewed having a south end location as a benefit of their job (2020)

$36

market rent per sq ft in south end

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insights south end

17,000+

workers in south end*

In part to prepare for the influx of workers into South End, the Charlotte Center City Ambassador program has been expanded into the neighborhood providing consistent and positive engagement with all stakeholders. The Ambassadors play an important role in ensuring Center City is a welcoming and equitable, economically vibrant, culturally rich, and beloved place.

work 15

living With housing choices and career certainty, Center City is a solid investment.

Center City is a collection of beloved neighborhoods where there are a series of different housing choices, including single family residences, townhomes, condos, and apartments.

insights 16

67,000+

current residents in Center City

$1,782

market rent per unit in Center City

393

child care centers and preschools in Charlotte

78

private schools in Charlotte

180

public elementary, middle, and high schools in Charlotte

24,800

apartment homes in Center City

Average rent and median home sale price compared to peer cities $1,635

Minneapolis, MN

$1,762

Tampa, FL

$1,522

Charlotte, NC

$1,471

Raleigh-Durham, NC

$395,000 28

$1,790

Atlanta, GA

$397,250 30

$1,644

Nashville, TN

$400,809 27

$1,423

Dallas, TX

$1,477

Phoenix, AZ

$1,877

Denver, CO

$1,690

Austin, TX

$2,238

Washington, DC

$1,468

U.S. average

$317,000 22 Median home sale price

$337,500 11

Median days on market

$365,000 35

Average rent

$384,000 35

$419,000 31 $540,000

9

$567,500 36 $729,900 34 $382,890 24

750K

500K

250K

0

New residential opened in 2021

FNB Tower

The Ellis

500 West Trade

The Hawk

196 apartment homes

549 apartment homes

354 apartment homes

71 apartment homes

17

uptown 21,729 residents

29 median age

8,786 apartment homes

896 apartments absorbed in 2021; a 3.3% increase from prior period

$1,904 market rent per apartment

south end 11,323 residents

28 median age

7,881 apartment homes

445 apartments absorbed in 2021 with 823 more under construction

$1,969 market rent per apartment

18

$88,711 average household income $638,000 typical home value

$114,682 average household income $390,527 typical home value

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20 $

4+ billion of new development

is planned for 2022 in Center City Partners’ service area $

889 per sq ft for Lowe’s Global Technology Center

South End’s office supply has more than doubled in the past 5 years

Charlotte is #2 in the nation for diverse tech talent

17+ more live sporting events in Center City with CLT FC kicking off in 2022

9 higher education institutions in Center City

highlights charlotte center city

21

New South End rail stop on the Blue Line

Medical school and innovation district will create 5,500 jobs and new STEM and research pipeline

~7 miles of Uptown Cyclelink network will connect to 50+ miles of growing greenway trails

New 100,000 sq ft space for galleries, art studios and theaters at VAPA

#1 best night for hotel rooms sold in Meck. Co. history with 28,622 for Duke’s Mayo Classic on Sept. 4

Gold Line added 17 transit stops, increasing light rail and streetcar stops serving Center City to 27

22

hospitality Weekend visitors coming to experience Uptown and South End’s thriving sports, arts, culture, and culinary scenes have led the recovery through the pandemic.

The 2021 Duke’s Mayo Classic between Georgia and Clemson had an announced attendance of 74,187 people, which is the third most attended game in Bank of America Stadium history. The 28,623 hotel rooms booked on September 4, 2021, set a single day record for Mecklenburg County that was 2,471 rooms higher than the previous record.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Sports Foundation

With the opening of the JW Marriott, completed expansion of the Charlotte Convention Center, and increasing number of live sporting events and concerts, Center City continues to be more competitive for destination travel, meetings, and conventions.

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hospitalityinsights

Aura Rooftop at JW Marriott’s 381-room luxury hotel in Uptown, which opened in August 2021 and is North Carolina’s first JW Marriott

6,528

rooms in Center City

381

additional rooms in 2021

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hotels by 2024

7,600+ rooms by 2024

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Wooden Robot Brewery

ESPN College GameDay in Romare Bearden Park for the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Classic attracted more than 18,000 fans. The two games, featuring Appalachian State vs ECU and Georgia vs Clemson had an estimated impact of $48.8 million for the Charlotte region.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Sports Foundation

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The Charlotte Convention Center is poised to attract more meetings and events following a $126.9 million expansion project.

$

48.8 05

25,963

25,396

2018 Duke’s Mayo Classic Sat., Sept. 1, 2018

million in economic impact from the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Classic

did you Seven of the top 10 best nights know for rooms sold in Meck Co. history

2020 CIAA Tournament Sat., Feb. 29, 2020

07

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

The expansion added approximately 50,000 square feet of meeting room and pre-function space, boosting the number of meeting rooms from 41 to 55.

The Charlotte Convention Center can now attract larger events and multiple events simultaneously. A primary component of the expansion is an exterior over-street pedestrian walkway, which connects the Convention Center to the adjacent 700-room Westin Charlotte. It features “Skyline,” an immersive public artwork experience.

have happened since May 2021

02

04

26,151

27,682

2021 Bank of America 400, Speed Street, Charlotte Convention Center Sat., Oct. 9, 2021

Memorial Day Weekend Sat., May 29, 2021

03

27,135

General Leisure Sat., Oct. 16, 2021

01

28,622

2021 Duke’s Mayo Classic Sat., Sept. 4, 2021

08

06

25,487

25,142 General Leisure Sat., July 17, 2021

2021 Duke’s Mayo Classic Fri., Sept. 3, 2021

10

09

25,065

24,897

Conferences / Conventions Tue., April 9, 2019

General Leisure Sat., July 24, 2021

hospitality 25

mobility Charlotte’s dedication to mobility and connectivity is visible throughout Center City.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located only 5 miles from Uptown.

Center City is at the nexus of the region’s road and transit network.

Scooter and electric assist bike share options make it fun to travel through South End, Uptown, and Midtown especially with new protected bike lanes, the Rail Trail, and greenways.

Charlotte is committed to making significant investments in a Transformational Mobility Network that is estimated to cost $13.5 billion over 18 years. The new and expanded infrastructure includes transit, trails, roadways, walkways, and bikeways to better the connect the community.

section presented by The Gold Line Streetcar opened for service in summer 2021 and serves a 4-mile route through Center City with 17 stops connecting three university campuses, and one of two major medical centers to the central business district.

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27

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Area Transit Authority

In July 2021,

4.39 million people traveled through Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which was only 1% less than the passengers moved in July 2019.

by air $24.6 billion annual economic impact locally in 2019 6th busiest airport worldwide in arrivals and departures for 2021

Photo by Myles Gelbach

WALK SCORE

70 excellent transit

TRANSIT SCORE

64 bikeable BIKE SCORE

south end

uptown

83 very walkable

84 very walkable WALK SCORE

51

good transit

61

bikeable

TRANSIT SCORE

BIKE SCORE

very walkable Most errands can be accomplished on foot

good transit Many nearby public transportation options

excellent transit Most trips are convenient for transit

bikeable Some bike infrastructure

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by pedal 7,800+ rides for about 5 miles from the Freedom Park Joy Ride station from Oct 2020 – Oct 2021 343 electric assist bikes and 34 stations throughout Center City in Charlotte’s bike share program, Joy Rides

2.5 mile segment between 5th and 6th Streets of the 7-mile Uptown CycleLink network is under construction 15 miles per hour of electric assist to easily cruise around the city

188 nonstop destinations 7 domestic airlines 114 gates

36 international destinations and 3 U.S. territories 137,000+ daily passengers

flight times from CLT to other airports Under 1 hour Under 3 hours 3 hours or more

In 2022,

Charlotte will begin shifting its bus fleet to electric-powered vehicles by acquiring 18 electric buses. Converting the bus fleet is part of a broader goal to have all city vehicles and fleets fully run on zero-carbon energy sources by 2030.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Area Transit Authority

Under 2 hours

mobility 29

they said it

The Gold Line represents certainty, in an uncertain time. Anytime there’s track that goes in the street, that helps spur economic development regardless of its location.”

Darrel J. Williams

FAIA, Principal, Neighboring Concepts

public transit 50,000+ professionally managed parking spaces in Uptown 27 light rail and streetcar stops serving Center City 12 express bus routes serving Uptown

6,400 free park and ride spaces along the light rail plus 37 additional lots served by express buses 50+ electric charging stations in Center City

23 local bus routes serving Uptown

The Blue Line

is 18.9 miles long and operates from I-485 at South Boulevard through Center City to UNC Charlotte’s main campus in University City.

With 26 stations, including 11 park and ride locations, the Blue Line provides a congestionfree commute with a consistent travel time.

30

Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge

Destination CLT

The connectivity to and around Center City is advancing with committed investments in air travel, light rail, a pedestrian bridge, and bike lanes.

Destination CLT A 10-year airport renovation and expansion is scheduled to wrap up in 2025 at a cost of $3 billion to $3.5 billion. Gresham Smith’s Uptown office is working on one of the centerpieces of the project in partnership with DAS Architecture. The terminal lobby is being doubled in size to support CLT’s sustained growth and create an exceptional passenger experience. The renovations include all the concourses, upgraded security and baggage systems, more room for passengers throughout, and relocated ticketing and check-in areas.

a $1.9-million contract to plan and design the new station. The new stop will serve a critical gap in the rail system and provide needed pedestrian connectivity in the neighborhood.

Station area of Uptown, across I-277 to the Carson Street Station area of South End. The bridge’s design work is under way with breaking ground mid-2022 and opening scheduled for 2023.

Silver Line The LYNX Silver Line is a proposed 29mile, 29 station light rail project from the City of Belmont in Gaston County, through Center City and the town of Matthews, into Union County. CATS has a goal of beginning passenger service on the entire line by 2040.

New South End Light Rail Stop A new station for the LYNX Blue Line will be located between the New Bern and East/ West Boulevard stations. The City approved

Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge This critical piece of infrastructure will fill a gap in the South End and Uptown Rail Trail, seamlessly connecting from the Stonewall

Uptown CycleLink The Uptown CycleLink is a ~7-mile network of separated bike lanes that will connect over 40 miles of bikeways into and across Center City enabling safe and comfortable bicycle commuting. It is a critical focus of Charlotte’s effort to create an “AAA” (All Ages and Abilities) bike network and transform Charlotte into a world-class bicycle city.

Destination CLT photo courtesy of Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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mobility 31

o Wilmore Centennial Park Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation and Beacon Partners constructed a new park in South End. The 1.4-acre park features a large open lawn area facing Uptown, areas for art displays, sitting areas, and variety of outdoor spaces for gathering and leisure activities.

did you know

Charlotte’s extensive greenway system provides multiple benefits, including: Vegetated natural buffers

helping to reduce the impacts of flooding and providing wildlife habitat.

Due to these greenways and other innovative flooding resources, the city is in the top 1% in the U.S. and #1 in North Carolina for protecting the public from flooding.

Developed trails and linear parks

connecting people and places through recreation, mobility, and fitness.

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outdoors With challenges brought on by COVID-19, getting outside and experiencing nature became an antidote.

Charlotte is a recognized leader in the nation for green infrastructure and outdoor access. It recently landed in the top 20 for Outside’s 2021 Most Livable Towns and Cities in America.

50+ miles

of developed greenway trails in Charlotte

26

fitness centers in south end and uptown

16

urban parks

Rail Trail in South End The Rail Trail is the linear park that connects Uptown and South End as it winds its way along the light rail. At around 3.5 miles, the trail is animated with public plazas and works of art and has over 200 shops and restaurants within walking distance.

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The multi-year plan aims to build 30 more miles of trails by 2023, including the missing pieces of the Cross Charlotte Trail, a 26-mile route that runs from South Carolina through the Center City to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Inaugural Drop Dead 5K held in Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetary in Uptown

Independence Square

This park renovation will reclaim public space at the crossroads of Trade and Tryon Streets. The new public space vision includes creating a more active, vibrant, and connected place at the very center of Uptown, designed for all to enjoy.

33

retail 19 new Uptown businesses opened in 2021 18 new South End businesses opened in 2021 6 shops and salons for Charlotte’s four-legged friends

40+ small businesses in Uptown participating in QC Cash, which is a digital gift card keeping local dollars local 380+ locally owned shops and restaurants in Uptown and South End

44 shops for clothes and fashion in Uptown and South End 89% of the 143 Center City Small Business Innovation Fund recipients were either minority, woman, and/or veteran-owned

Jekia Benson is an entrepreneur, with a boutique in South End and a Center City Small Business Innovation Fund-supported new venture called Coterie Concept, a black box retail space where small businesses can test new retail with short-term pop-ups in a permanent space.

arts & culture 12 arts and cultural attractions in Uptown and South End, including museums, event venues, galleries, theaters, and dance

132 outdoor concerts in Center City in 2021 through Music Everywhere CLT’s Communities in Concert, a program that provides paid gigs to local artists

8 tattoo parlors in Uptown and South End

Made to Last Tattoo

34

exper ience

In the Center City, the public, private and philanthropic sectors collaborate to provide a mosaic of experiences for residents, workers, and visitors.

The array of cultural programming and lifestyle experiences fosters communities’ connections to Center City’s neighborhoods and creates diverse and inclusive spaces for all. These experiences happen in retail shops, restaurants and bars, arts and cultural institutions, sports and music venues, events, parks, the Rail Trail, and greenways.

The Small Business Innovation Fund is designed to spur and support innovation by storefront small businesses as they adapt to the new economic realities caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The fund has distributed $4.6+ million to small businesses throughout Charlotte with a priority to minority, woman, and/or veteran-owned businesses in Center City.

restaurants & bars 46 places to eat or drink outside in Uptown and South End 279 spots for wine, brews, cocktails, and bites in Uptown and South End Not Just Coffee in The Market at 7th Street, which is a non-profit food hall, retail space and meeting place in Uptown.

26 coffee shops in Uptown 12 shops for ice cream and dessert in South End

70% of small businesses in the Tryon Street Vendor and Food Truck programs are minority and/ or woman-owned businesses

8 craft breweries in South End

35

events 150+ events planned by Charlotte Center City Partners each year

2 weeks of internationally recognized art, music, food, and ideas at Charlotte SHOUT!

30,000 sq ft plus more than 60 events was the formula for success at Victoria Yards in 2021

Victoria Yards

A versatile and trendy hangout spot located in the heart of Uptown on 7th Street

2021

marked the 75th year of the Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade in Uptown

I Heart Rail Trail

36

The Rolling Stones

Photo courtesy of Tepper Sports & Entertainment

made their return to the Queen City and played to a sold out Bank of America Stadium

experience 37

Emerging star

LaMelo Ball leading the Charlotte Hornets in the Spectrum Center in Uptown

sports 7 professional sports teams 220+ days and nights of live sporting events per year

American Legion Memorial Stadium reopened in 2021 following a $40 million renovation. The 10,500-seat stadium hosts professional and amateur sports as well as concerts and other community events.

20,200 seats at Spectrum Center, home of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets 74,867 seats at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and MLS’s Charlotte FC

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Hornets

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Rendering courtesy of Tepper Sports & Entertainment

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The Visual and Performing Arts Center The Visual and Performing Arts Center (VAPA) in the North Tryon area opened to tenants in 2021 as a response to the closing of Spirit Square to accommodate construction on the main library next door. The center will be 100,000 sq ft for galleries, artist studios, and several theaters. The space will be used for improv, dance studios, arts therapy, and education. Community events will range from an open-air artists’ market to outdoor and indoor concerts, artist talks, events, and more.

The club’s inaugural season starts in 2022 and will bring at least 17 more live sports events to Center City. Bank of America Stadium is in the midst of a $50 million soccerspecific renovation that will build on the venue’s existing ability to be an exciting home for matches.

The renovations include significant enhancements to the Lowe’s East Gate, including a 210-foot long LED video board, an upgraded main concourse and supporters’ bar just inside the gate, soccerspecific locker rooms, a central player tunnel, and a new premium club space and field-level seating called The Vault.

Charlotte FC photo courtesy of Tepper Sports & Entertainment

Charlotte FC

experience 39

acknowledgments

board of directors Chairman Tom Finke Adara Acquisition Corp.

Treasurer Diane Morais Ally Bank Clay Armbrister Johnson C. Smith University Malcomb Coley EY Jesse Cureton Novant Health Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer Central Piedmont Community College

sponsors Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe Duke Energy

Tom Nelson National Gypsum

Tom Glick Carolina Panthers

Cindy Noble Compass Group, North America

Malcolm Graham City of Charlotte Johno Harris Lincoln Harris Mark Holoman Cousins Properties Marcus Jones City of Charlotte Sam Judd Asana Partners

Darryl Dewberry Spectrum Cos.

Janet LaBar The Alliance

Dena Diorio Mecklenburg County

Tiffani Lewis Entrepreneur

Tracy Dodson City of Charlotte

Carol Lovin Atrium Health

George Dunlap Mecklenburg County

Dr. Michael Marsicano Foundation For The Carolinas

Rob Engel Wells Fargo

Tom Murray Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

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Mike Praeger AvidXchange Ernie Reigel Moore & Van Allen

Section Sponsor Moore Van Allen mvalaw.com

Pat Riley Allen Tate Companies Pat Rodgers Rodgers Bill Rogers Truist Financial Corporation Neelima Sharma Lowe’s

Section Sponsor Little Diversified Architectural Consulting littleonline.com

Krista Terrell Arts & Science Council Earnest Winston Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Darrel Williams Neighboring Concepts

prepared by

credits

The 2022 State of the Center City was prepared by Caroline Bounds, James LaBar, Klint Mullis, Adam Rhew, leveraging expertise from their Charlotte Center City Partners colleagues.

Design Mitchell Phillips Design mitchellphillipsdesign.com

For questions, please contact James LaBar at jlabar@charlottecentercity.org

Presenting Sponsor CBI cbi-nc.com

Center Spread Design Caroline Bounds carolinebounds.com

Section Sponsor Gresham Smith greshamsmith.com

Photography Patrick Schneider Photography patrickschneiderphoto.com Eric Halili rebrandlifestyle.com

Kyo H Nam kyohnam.com Travis Dove Photography travisdove.com

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Hornets

200 South Tryon Street, Suite 1600 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 charlottecentercity.org