tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post115748008171185341..comments2023-11-05T04:34:10.303-05:00Comments on The Naked City: Charlotte, the next "chain" city?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1158335292631528792006-09-15T11:48:00.000-04:002006-09-15T11:48:00.000-04:00^ i agree. it's not that i don't like Charlotte, i...^ i agree. it's not that i don't like Charlotte, it has many great things going for it (Manifest, South End,) but too much of Uptown has been modeled as a suburban housewife's ideal downtown. it's like they built "Big City, USA" for a theme park, and too many well built, quality buildings were destroyed to "make history." <BR/><BR/> -Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1158134143010774042006-09-13T03:55:00.000-04:002006-09-13T03:55:00.000-04:00I'd take cities that REALLY have soul over Charlot...I'd take cities that REALLY have soul over Charlotte anyday, like Charleston, Asheville, Columbia, Winston-Salem, Greenville (SC), or Wilmington.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1158011238453395442006-09-11T17:47:00.000-04:002006-09-11T17:47:00.000-04:00I have to laugh at Charlotte. I read this blog an...I have to laugh at Charlotte. I read this blog and then I see the article about Raleigh's plans for its downtown, which of course The Observer HAS TO sum up with the following silly comparison (to prove that Charlotte is the superior place). Charlotte, your civic inferiority is embarassing!<BR/><BR/>How Raleigh and Charlotte Compare<BR/><BR/><BR/>FEATURE RALEIGH CHARLOTTE <BR/>Buildings 10 stories or more 23 41 <BR/>Tallest building 32 floors* 60 floors (BofA) <BR/>Retail space 1.5 million sq. ft. 1.1 million sq. ft <BR/>Retail vacancy rate 15 percent 5 percent. <BR/>Office space 6 million sq. ft. 14.4 million sq. ft. <BR/>Downtown residents 7,140 11,500 <BR/>Hotel Rooms 621 3,773 <BR/>Convention center 500,000 sq. ft.* 405,000 sq. ft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1158004747183333782006-09-11T15:59:00.000-04:002006-09-11T15:59:00.000-04:00Steele Creek was only chosen because I used to liv...Steele Creek was only chosen because I used to live there, then Ballantyne, now uptown.<BR/>It was also a good 8-10 miles from uptown.<BR/>That was the only reason. Go ahead and check the stats on another area for yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1158002167302804322006-09-11T15:16:00.000-04:002006-09-11T15:16:00.000-04:00Steele Creek was probably chosen because Latino ga...Steele Creek was probably chosen because Latino gang crime has exploded there the past few years (i.e., not exactly representative). Property values there are also hurt because of the Vilma Leake effect/Olympic High, which brings in more renters and lower income folks - and thus more crime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157983343755379282006-09-11T10:02:00.000-04:002006-09-11T10:02:00.000-04:00There's a reason that there aren't many historic b...There's a reason that there aren't many historic buildings in Charlotte that have been conveted to modern usage: there never WERE many historic buildings in Charlotte, let alone many thouat could be conveted to modern usage. We are, after all, talking about a place that was basically just a village for most of the 19th century, and even in 1900 had a population roughtly the size of Mint Hill today!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157846038539317022006-09-09T19:53:00.000-04:002006-09-09T19:53:00.000-04:00The term to use is "generica". It well describes h...The term to use is "generica". It well describes how every city looks like every other.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157832020429248252006-09-09T16:00:00.000-04:002006-09-09T16:00:00.000-04:00Any city is what you make of it. I live in Dilwort...Any city is what you make of it. I live in Dilworth and stay within the center city. For me Charlotte is a great walkable and progressive city. Of course I am single gay guy so it all depends on your personal situation. If I was part of a traditional family I would probably live in Union and go to all the chains I studiously avoid in favor of Berrybrook Farm and 300 East and Creation and the many other unique places Charlotte has. Atlanta has the same features just more of it and they can keep it, along with migraine inducing traffic. I never have to go beyond surface streets for my daily routine!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157733310598362482006-09-08T12:35:00.000-04:002006-09-08T12:35:00.000-04:00For lack of a better comparison, I always thought ...For lack of a better comparison, I always thought of Atlanta as a slut and Charlotte as a tease. Atlanta will do anything and take anything to hep it become a moajr league city (though it has nothing on new York or Chicago). harlotte will say it wants to do everything to be a major city, then change it's mind at the last second in order to keep its perceived 'purity'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157726711247394152006-09-08T10:45:00.000-04:002006-09-08T10:45:00.000-04:00Amen! Charlotte as a city seems to have no confid...Amen! Charlotte as a city seems to have no confidence in itself. It wants to be Atlanta...or anywhere else...that is not Charlotte. Almost as if it's afraid to be itself for fear of failing as a city. Their menality seems to be that if they copy another city, like Atlanta, then they'll succeed like Atlanta.<BR/><BR/>It comes down to Charlotte just doesn't understand their history therefore they don't understand who they are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157719522678586242006-09-08T08:45:00.000-04:002006-09-08T08:45:00.000-04:00Thanks. Same to you. Just remember, this whole di...Thanks. Same to you. <BR/><BR/>Just remember, this whole discussion got started talking about where people choose to LIVE not WORK.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy the burbs and Uptown. In fact I'll be there in about 20 minutes from my far out suburb.<BR/><BR/>To the other anon: Doubtful, I was not in Vancouver this past summer nor do I live in Highland CreekAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157718097859059512006-09-08T08:21:00.000-04:002006-09-08T08:21:00.000-04:00Rick, do I know you ?Do you live in Highland Creek...Rick, do I know you ?<BR/>Do you live in Highland Creek ? Visit Vancouver this past June ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157717880541438902006-09-08T08:18:00.000-04:002006-09-08T08:18:00.000-04:00Rick,If we are beating the horse you might as well...Rick,<BR/>If we are beating the horse you might as well add the hundreds of thousands who work in uptown.<BR/>They are here for approximately 10 hours a day. If most people are awake for aproximately 16 hours each day then I guess it's fair to say that the hundreds of thousands that flock to uptown daily spend more time awake in uptown then they do in their Burb neighborhoods. <BR/>Figuratively speaking it makes the amount of people uptown at least 20 times larger than Highland Creek for the most part of the day.<BR/>Now the numbers don't look so bad.<BR/>I've been uptown for almost 4 years. Not one incident. But I am pretty street smart. I think you have got to be on your toes anywhere you live these days.<BR/>I am glad you love the burbs. Enjoy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157717524366110842006-09-08T08:12:00.000-04:002006-09-08T08:12:00.000-04:00On the actual topic of this thread...Charlotte is ...On the actual topic of this thread...<BR/><BR/>Charlotte is not, and will not be, Atlanta. <BR/><BR/>We can't be Atlanta because...<BR/><BR/>1. We can't build roads. Atlanta true highways. Charlotte doesn't.<BR/><BR/>2. We have that giant sucking sound of South Carolina pulling development away from Charlotte because of lower taxes.<BR/><BR/>3. Our city and county governments will go bankrupt on things like light rail design errors and giveaways to billionaires long before Charlotte actually grows to Atlanta's size.<BR/><BR/>(For those who think I am always negative and complaining, this was an example of sarcasm.)<BR/><BR/>Charlotte is not Atlanta for a lot of very good reasons as well.<BR/><BR/>1. Traffic is NOT that bad here.<BR/><BR/>2. Housing is much cheaper here. (Uptown condos excluded.)<BR/><BR/>3. Our public utilities are also better from what I've read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157716155607770412006-09-08T07:49:00.000-04:002006-09-08T07:49:00.000-04:00To finish off the beating of the dead horse...I us...To finish off the beating of the dead horse...<BR/><BR/>I used Highland Creek compared to Uptown proper - the area within 277 - which cover about the same square miles with about the same population. <BR/><BR/>The fact that HC is completely suburban and Uptown proper is completely urban was exactly the point. (Also, only a small section, not half, of HC is in Cabarrus and the relative distance to Uptown is about the same as Steele Creek.)<BR/><BR/>Angry Anon quoted statistics that compare the entire Steele Creek Division of CMPD with the Central Division of CMPD. Not the neighborhood of Steele Creek to Uptown proper.<BR/><BR/>Steele Creek Division covers 100 sq miles.<BR/><BR/>Central Division covers 5.8. About half of the Central Division is Dilworth - not Uptown.<BR/><BR/>Per the 2000 census maps on charmeck.org the Steele Creek division also appears to have at least twice the population of the Central division. Considdering all the growth since then, it is probably more.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy Uptown tremendously, but the suburbs are much safer places to live - no matter how you slice and dice the numbers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157667797900112502006-09-07T18:23:00.000-04:002006-09-07T18:23:00.000-04:00"Politicians, ugly buildings and wh0res all get re..."Politicians, ugly buildings and wh0res all get respectable if they last long enough." Noah Cross (John Huston) - ChinatownCatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17520466387730915590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157654500887449032006-09-07T14:41:00.000-04:002006-09-07T14:41:00.000-04:00I am a Charlotte native and although I no longer l...I am a Charlotte native and although I no longer live there, I can't remember much that has been torn down that was really worth saving. Maybe the old Independence Building at The Square and then only because it was the first steel-framed "skyscraper" (all 12 stories or so of it)in North Carolina. So, I'm happy about all the growth and change and I sometimes wonder if the dismay about the loss of old buildings is also dismay over the loss of a cultural identity that is now blended with so many others.<BR/><BR/>Regarding Atlanta where I have also lived, there is greater diversity, cultural offerings and "buzz" (at least inside the Perimeter)but I think that's to be expected from a metro area more than double Charlotte's size. In many ways they are very similar though both places would be loathe to admit that. They both have high aspirations, beautiful in-town neighborhoods, powerful businesses and angst over traffic, an unavoidable by-product of growth unless everyone is willing to trade in their cars and use bikes or ride trains/buses. The real difference is an accident of geography that propelled Atlanta forward, even though Charlotte is the much older city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157654198823912502006-09-07T14:36:00.000-04:002006-09-07T14:36:00.000-04:00The 'good ole days' crowd faces some obstacles.1) ...The 'good ole days' crowd faces some obstacles.<BR/><BR/>1) The bulk of the money (and therefore influence) is being earned by transplants from other parts of the country. They have have no sense of history with Charlotte, and seek creature comforts of Starbucks over dilapidated Coffee Cups.<BR/><BR/>2) The powers at be (like McCrory) do not really care about old buildings. They care about shiny new ones. They may pay some lip service to the good ole days, but new, expensive condos and office buildings not only look nicer, but generate more tax revenue.<BR/><BR/><BR/>But all is not lost.<BR/><BR/>If you want to preserve the coffee cup and such, just get you checkbook out and buy it. I am sure for $1M or so, Beazer would sell it to you.<BR/><BR/>If you really believed any of this, you would pony up your own dough and save these old buildings. <BR/><BR/>Until then, you are just ranting from a soapbox.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157648433673022782006-09-07T13:00:00.000-04:002006-09-07T13:00:00.000-04:00I would like to say how INCREDIBLY tired I am of t...I would like to say how INCREDIBLY tired I am of the Charlotte/Atlanta comparisons. I have lived in each of the cities for over 10 years a piece, and BOTH of them are unique in their own way. Both of the cities can claim beautiful old neighborhoods, tree-lined streets and unique non-chain restraunts and attractions. Both of them can also claim barren suburbs, big box retail, and cookie-cutter housing developments. The last time I checked none of those things were unique to either Atlanta or Charlotte. So please, if you are unhappy about the demise of the Coffee Cup and other unique establishments do something about it! Ranting inanely about Atlanta this, or Atlanta that is a weak argument. Atlanta certainly has flaws (just as Charlotte does), but I will challenge anyone to call Atlanta a "chain city" after walking around the neighborhoods of East Atlanta, Little 5 points, Virginia-Highlands, Druid Hills, Decatur, Edgewood, Grant Park, Midtown, Piedmont park, etc. (I could go on and on). Do chains exist in Atlanta? Yes. Do they also exist in Charlotte. Yes. I would hate to see the conclusions someone might draw about Charlotte based solely on Independence Boulevard or all of the chains around South Park (Cheesecake Factory, etc). There are so many more winderful things about the city that would be missed. In short, don't judge a city by its chains or suburbs--all cities have them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157644201003653642006-09-07T11:50:00.000-04:002006-09-07T11:50:00.000-04:00Atlanta has more Waffle Houses per square foot tha...Atlanta has more Waffle Houses per square foot than any other place in America. Thank you for the comparison, but I'll stay in Charlotte thank you.Frank Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07767417227351517566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157643654586907092006-09-07T11:40:00.000-04:002006-09-07T11:40:00.000-04:00I moved from Charlotte to Atlanta six months ago a...I moved from Charlotte to Atlanta six months ago and would never go back. Charlotte felt like a bland, static, wanna-be little town that would not pass up an opportunity to shreik "look how great I am!" It's less of a city than a financial district. If Charlotte wants to move in a nice direction, it should seek to emulate the points of Atlanta's success. Atlanta is much more cosmopolitan, progressive, diverse, dynamic, cultural, and lively. Atlanta does not spend its time worrying about which city it would like to model itself after. Atlanta has a very diverse business community, functioning mass transit, and a "world-class" feel. It's international. And its many neighborhoods—Virginia Highland, Buckhead, Inman Park, Midtown, Grant Park, and others—let you feel like you're in a different city whenever you like. Charlotte has shown signs of moving in the right direction, but small things like bad roads, high taxes, a dysfunctional government, and a bloated school system plague the Queen City. Charlotte and Charlotteans need to get over their inferiority-to-Atlanta complex and stop worrying about being the "next Atlanta". Instead, they need to start focusing on problems within North Carolina that impede the city's development. Until it does, the city will continue to feel like a white bankers' town (and I'm white myself), where people are constantly congratulating themselves because they believe that by living in Charlotte they've made it to the peak of what life has to offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157641987200052352006-09-07T11:13:00.000-04:002006-09-07T11:13:00.000-04:00Like peeLike peeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157641051959282032006-09-07T10:57:00.000-04:002006-09-07T10:57:00.000-04:00Vanilla implies a flavor. Charlotte is more like ...Vanilla implies a flavor. Charlotte is more like luke-warm water.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157636868755950192006-09-07T09:47:00.000-04:002006-09-07T09:47:00.000-04:00Forgot to post uptowns stats as well:Murder: June:...Forgot to post uptowns stats as well:<BR/><BR/>Murder: June: 0 year to date: 2<BR/>Rape: June: 5 year to date: 19<BR/><BR/>Robbery:<BR/>Strong armed: June: 3 year to date: 31<BR/>Armed: June: 3 year to date: 45<BR/><BR/>Aggravated assault: June: 6 year to date: 62<BR/><BR/>Burglary:<BR/>Residential: June: 27 year to date: 198<BR/>Commercial: June: 15 year to date: 119<BR/><BR/>Larceny:<BR/>Auto: June: 145 year to date: 696<BR/>Bike: June: 0 year to date: 5<BR/>Shoplift: June: 8 year to date: 56<BR/>Others: June: 65 year to date: 462<BR/><BR/>Vehicle theft: June: 40 year to date: 271<BR/>Arson: June: 0 year to date: 13Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19601020.post-1157636569822831162006-09-07T09:42:00.000-04:002006-09-07T09:42:00.000-04:00Comon', H.C. is half in Caburrus County. Why don't...Comon', H.C. is half in Caburrus County. Why don't you compair uptown with a small town in Idaho while you are at it ?<BR/>I am talking about your typical "Charlotte" suburbs. Albermarle, Independence, South Park, Providence, Ballantyne, Steele, Creek, etc., etc., etc.<BR/>What's next ? Are you going to compair uptown stats to Mint Hill ?<BR/>Here are the June stats for the Steele Creek area down by Carrowinds. That's right on the border of the city limits. Can't get much further out and still be in the city. Should feel safe out there, right ? Guess again.<BR/>These stats are for the month of June and for year to date. Remember, we still have four more months of crime to go. Think your cars are safer in the burbs than in the downtown ? Check out the larceny from auto. Armed robbery !!!<BR/>We could go on and on. You like the burbs, good for you. I like the pace of the city, good for me.<BR/>My time is much more valuable to me than to spend any more of it on this.<BR/>Have a great day, seriously.<BR/><BR/>Here's the stats:<BR/>Steele Creek<BR/><BR/>Murder: June: 0 year to date: 4<BR/>Rape: June: 3 year to date: 20<BR/><BR/>Robbery:<BR/>Strong armed: June: 6 year to date: 32<BR/>Armed: June: 21 year to date: 131<BR/><BR/>Aggravated assault: June: 34 year to date: 202<BR/><BR/>Burglary:<BR/>Residential: June: 38 year to date: 334<BR/>Commercial: June: 34 year to date: 215<BR/><BR/>Larceny:<BR/>Auto: June: 223 year to date: 1104<BR/>Bike: June: 4 year to date: 9<BR/>Shoplift: June: 21 year to date: 140<BR/>Others: June: 108 year to date: 658<BR/><BR/>Vehicle theft: June: 53 year to date: 392<BR/>Arson: June: 3 year to date: 28Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com