Charlotte Residents Concerned About Changes To Independence Boulevard

You may wonder why leaky buildings, cob-webbed closed-down companies and piles of debris are garnering lots of attention, but hundreds of people are voicing their opinions on what is left of a stretch of Independence Boulevard near uptown Charlotte.

Close to 500 people attended a public meeting Tuesday night. Consultants hired by the city want to know how neighbors picture the future Independence Boulevard, but people in the area have their reservations.

Neighbors like Ed Garber said they want action.

"Even if the city approves it, will they really implement it? What we're really concerned with is the follow through, and that's the most important piece of this is the follow through. I'm sure the consultants will come up with a good plan, but will we get follow through?" Garber asked.

Neighbors outlined three concrete requests. They want the city to allow businesses to expand toward Independence Boulevard without a setback, they want the city to remove empty big box stores and they want the city to provide better access to businesses.

With nearly 100 businesses closing along the stretch of Independence in recent years, Economic Development Manager Tom Washauer said he knows the importance of public input.

"People want to serve those neighborhoods, they want to have businesses located approximate to those homes, and we want to make sure we provide the right opportunities for people to be successful in their business and to have successful shopping for their communities," he said.

Another public meeting is scheduled for the fall.