Question 1

[Charlotte Chamber]

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

[Gary Silverstein]

It's almost impossible in today's retail enviornment to attract retailers to any city center. My family owned a men's store in downtown Charlotte for 51 years ( which we closed in 1983 ) and with the rent levels as they are today, few small merchants can afford to be downtown. In addition large chain retailers are relunctant to open in downtowns unless it's in a fairly large shopping center. The shame is that the vast majority of retailers in Charlotte are national chains, not the small family owned stores that used to be up and down Tryon and Trade Street.

[Debe Maxwell]

Parking seems to be the biggest issue with Charlotteans who live just outside of Uptown and in the suburbs who are scared of Uptown! They're not scared for their safety but, they're afraid they won't be able to find a place to park! The light rail has helped but, when it is a necessity to drive your car, it's not always easy finding a parking spot!

Street level stores would be a big asset to getting shoppers into Uptown but, unfortunately the rent is just too high for most retailers. I think you're going to have to 'court' a large, anchor-type store to secure a spot in order to entice other retailers to follow suit.

[Carol]

More mass transit uptown, especially trains, which take less time to get uptown than the buses do. It's the only way to get those of us in the suburbs to travel uptown more frequently, thus spending our dollars and making retail business sustainable. You need to draw those of us that live on the edges of town into uptown in an easy more non hassle way. More trains, more trains, MORE TRAINS PLEASE!

[jeffrey Gitomer]

A mall with Neimans AND Nordstrom or nothing will work
visit Seattle -- do that
visit Portland -- do that
visit Minneapolis -- do that

Charlotte's downtown retail is a disgrace to it's claim of World Class City
you can't be world class without significant retail --
until there are REAL stores downtown, it will be the Southpark Mall

[Alyson Hilal]

It's clear that the parking issues need to be addressed.

In addition, the current retailers should be given incentives for being open on Sundays. New retailers should be encouraged to be open on Sundays as well.

Charlotte is a ghost town on Sundays. Tourist and residents will not be tempted to stay and continue to frequent Uptown with out retail/dining options. Ivey's back in the day was a huge draw and we need to revive the activity!

[Chris Conlon]

In addition to the the comments on parking, making it more readily available, or free, at certain times, as well as better signage to make it more comfortable for the casual or infrequent visitor I have one word. UNIQUE. People will not venture into a center city area, battle their real or imagined perceptions of traffic, parking issues and other hassles if they can go to the nearest mall to get what they are looking for. The shopping, eating and other retail opportunities should be sustainable, but they should also give people a reason to come to them. Simply adding chain stores that you can get to in the suburbs where a majortiy of people live, where there is free parking and minimal hassle, will not draw the people out of their comfort zone. They need to have a reason, and making something unique will have to be the hook. I have lived here over a decade and I have run into many people in the 'burbs who tell me that they have not been uptown in years. Maybe they will never go, they are comfortable and have all they need in their community, but maybe they have not found a reason to explore yet.

[magnolia]

Charlotte has a multitude of potential, but planning is critical with landscaping a skyline, the placement of boutiques, bistros, restaurants, bakeries, ice cream parlors, coffee shops and parking. In New York on the weekends parking in pertinent shopping districts is free. Traffic during the day in uptown Charlotte, seems to be pecarious with all of the construction and people traffic. New buildings need to be spread out throughout the uptown area. Shuttles should run regularly, for those of us who prefer to save ourselves from the hassle of parking. But, advertising is key, to bringing shoppers uptown, also restaurants offering specials at certain times say on Saturdays and Sundays, when most people shop, will cause people to stay uptown. Galleries open late, with events and dinner specials would also, increase interest. But, the stores must be strategically placed, so that people will not become extremely disgruntled trying to get from point A to point B.

[Frank Graziadei]

Ensure ease of access parking

[Jim Gormley]

Parking is never "free". Somebody is paying for the land and the usage. Some cities have gone to "free" parking is validated by a vendor in the Mall/Shopping Center. Anyone not actually shopping will pay regular rates and there will always be some who will not validate. Not a big cash flow, but would help subsidize the operation of the parking lot/deck.

[jim squires]

more parkind in the downtown area and affordable. this can be done by not spending the tax payers money on art projects everywhere and building venues that only the rich can afford to attend. the people of charlotte are not in the majority of the affluant, they are lower middle class and the poor. and we pay the major part of the taxes.

[Mike Collins]

Just visit Birkdale in Huntersville, free parking (and lots of it), good lighting with a festive atmosphere and friendly police officers that are always visible. But, at the moment there is one thing that can't be changed by city officials and that is the cost of a gallon of gas. As long as gas prices stay at their current levels, people are going to be attracted to nice retail centers close to where they live, no matter what improvements you make to Uptown Charlotte.

[CARPET DISCOUNT WAREHOUSE]

PARKING PARKING PARKING.. when you are driving downtown it is hard to locate parking