The Catawba River generates electricity, fuels the Charlotte-area economy and provides a place to play and drinking water for most of Charlotte, Mount Holly and Belmont — all with little fanfare. Even the land surrounding the river has yet to experience the expansive development that’s enveloped the rest of the Charlotte metro region, thought that’s [...]
For those who don’t consider the community value of local parks priceless, The Trust for Public Land has put a dollar value on Mecklenburg County’s parks, recreation centers and greenways: approximately $985 million. In 2009, the assets that fall under the county’s Park and Recreation Department brought $8.2 million to the county and $28 million [...]
Casey Hickey thought that once the representative from the city of Charlotte’s zoning department came out to her shop, where she and her husband sold wine and chocolates, they could get their business license from Mecklenburg County. That’s what staff at the county offices had told her, anyway. But when the zoning representative got there, [...]
When the city of Charlotte won a $25 million federal Urban Circulator Grant to build a starter streetcar line through uptown, from Time Warner Cable Arena to Presbyterian Hospital, supporters touted the 1 1/2-mile section as an important step toward a proposed 10-mile track. The plan was to expand the starter line from Eastland Mall [...]
Thanks to budget shortfalls, Mecklenburg County facilities, such as recreation centers, libraries and schools, have found themselves on the chopping block. In some neighborhoods, though, the impact is worse than in others. Some communities are losing multiple facilities, which could hurt real estate values and quality of life in those areas. “It’s extremely unfortunate, and [...]
Shannon Binns’ message isn’t new, but he’s hoping how he delivers it and who helps him will make people take notice. But first he has to get the Charlotte community, particularly the business community, to financially back his vision, a goal that might not be easy as nonprofits everywhere are dealing with funding challenges in [...]
Despite the red wave that swept the House of Representatives across the country Tuesday, the Democrats on the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners were able to hang on to their majority, losing only one seat. Although all six seats held by Democrats on the Board of Commissioners were challenged by Republicans — the three incumbent [...]
The long-term vision for Sustain Charlotte was unveiled today in uptown. Nearly a dozen speakers were at “The Square” at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets for the event, including Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts. Before he addressed a crowd of about 50, Foxx said Charlotte is not where it needs to [...]
(Editor's note: The following is part of The Mecklenburg Times' coverage of the Nov. 2 elections.)
