The Charlotte Urban Design Center’s work with the Corridors of Opportunity program continues to blossom with project implementation underway and coming soon to the West Boulevard and Beatties Ford Road corridors. The program works to strategically invest in six Charlotte corridors to fill gaps in infrastructure and transportation, workforce and business development, housing and code enforcement, public safety, and urban design.

Corridors of Opportunity program funding and project implementation assistance has allowed the city to explore options for enhancements such as streetscapes, open space, public art, and cultural markers.

Creating new public spaces in these corridors will start with several new project ideas this year.

West Boulevard

The Urban Design Center collaborated with the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, West Side Community Land Trust and Three Sisters Market in the fall to host the West Boulevard Placemaking Master Plan Workshop. This allowed the establishment of identifying and prioritizing public space and placemaking projects in the corridor. The one-day workshop and walking tour ushered community leaders through the planning process for placemaking, from brainstorming meaningful quick-win community projects, to building consensus and a plan for a path forward. Projects with the intention to celebrate the corridor’s unique history, culture and character may include reimagining bus stops, new public spaces and community-led art.

New bus stops will be installed at Remount Road and West Boulevard

Pedestrian intersection improvements at Remount Road and West Boulevard

· Including placemaking

· Project kick off in Spring 2021

Pedestrian intersection improvements at Barringer/I-77/West Boulevard

· Including placemaking

· Project kick off in Spring 2021 with in-house design

Beatties Ford Road

Building upon neighborhood leaders’ work of transforming public spaces through placemaking, the Beatties Ford Road Public Space and Placemaking Playbook was created in partnership between the Charlotte Urban Design Center, the community, and private partners. The Playbook identifies locations and project ideas on primarily underutilized public land where the corridor’s history and identity can be celebrated. It identifies quick wins and opportunities to test and kick start more permanent investments. The projects identified are rooted in the core values of placemaking (inclusive, community driven, and quick) and leverage the skill set of the corridor’s neighborhoods and local businesses.

The following projects were ranked as the top four in the Virtual Workshop to gain an understanding of people’s overall preferences. Funding is available to build elements of these top placemaking projects through the City of Charlotte Corridors of Opportunity Program. The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center will collaborate with neighborhood participants along the Beatties Ford Road corridor to refine, co-create, design and implement these projects. This process will ensure each project best represents the priorities of those along the corridor.

The Beatties Ford Road & La Salle Street Town Square project would include several placemaking elements to transform this important intersection into a town square that represents the identity of the Beatties Ford Road corridor, including numerous retail establishments and creating an active pedestrian environment.

Utilizing the city-owned parcel at the corner of Tate Street and Beatties Ford Road, the former site of the Ritz Theater, will celebrate the legacy of the community. The Thaddeus Tate/Ritz Theater Public Space can be programmed throughout the day and evening and will activate the site at 1201 Beatties Ford Road. The project, known as Rendevous at the Ritz, recently was awarded a $200,000 grant from Lowe’s Home Improvement as part of the 100 Hometowns Initiative.

The Vest Water Treatment Plan is a vast and historic city-owned property. It is an anchor on the corridor and serves as a gateway to the Beatties Ford Road Corridor. Adding elements and/or art along its frontage can enhance the pedestrian experience along this important part of Beatties Ford Road.

The Library Front Green & Activation project presents a unique opportunity to activate public space on the green between the library and the adjacent bus top. The unique feature of the swale that diverts water to existing storm water intake infrastructure could be enhanced by the creation of a rain garden in the swale.

Here’s a another great urban design project along the Beatties Ford Road corridor:

Through the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation award, the Charlotte Urban Design Center is busy planning programming for the Five Points Plaza. The three-year grant of nearly $400,000 will allow for the creation of a welcoming public gathering space in the Historic West End. Five Points Plaza is scheduled to open this summer, promoting inclusive, resident-led development of the area. The Urban Design Center will facilitate the community effort and oversee construction and implementation in advance of the grand opening.