Question 1

[Charlotte Chamber]

How do we attract significant retail and create a true stroll district in the center city?

[UNCbrr]

We need affordable lease districts in Uptown for local retailers and restaurants to enter the market. Many of the new restaurants that have opened are high-end, national chains that can afford the higher rent along Tryon Street (which consequently raise the lease rates even higher). If we build retail space throughout all of Uptown (especially in First, Second, and Third Wards), then there can be more variety in lease rates based on location, exposure, etc. As well, it would encourage visitors and residents to roam beyond Tryon and College Streets.

[Jeff Pease]

It cannot be done, not now. One of the major thrusts of the SouthPark rezoning fight and subsequent lawsuit was the detrimental effect the supersizing of SP would have on any significant tourist attracting retail downtown. In losing that battle we instantly became a Bi-Polar city and we'll always be using cars as the main mode of transport between the two centers. If you want to know why the Charlotte Chamber was so quiet when this was happening, just look into who was part of -and influencing- the Chamber to effect this. And if you want to know more about what was going on behind the scenes, find out which city council woman, among others, was "financially swayed" by the SP developer to change her vote. The dark, behind the scenes doings made sure that the outcome of SP's expansion was carefully orchestrated from the beginning. And THAT was the end of our chance to have a solid city center.

[Spencer]

Don't make everything look so corporate, make each shop look architecturally unique and individual. Try to attract local businesses that are unique to Charlotte, not stores that you could find at Southpark, Northlake, Concord Mills, Carolina Place. Affordable housing in uptown- not everyone can afford a $500k "luxury" condo, Make the 4 wards unique in their own way (fourth ward does a great job of that)