Wells Fargo Vows To Finish Charlotte Cultural Center

Wells Fargo is making a big promise to Charlotte. It vows to pick up where Wachovia left off with the cultural arts facilities project in First Ward in Uptown Charlotte. Wells Fargo's purchase of Wachovia became final on December 31st.

Wells Fargo/Wachovia's manager on the project, Bob Bertges, said Monday evening, "There are no changes to any of the promises that we've made."

Uptown visitor Willie McNeil said, "It speaks a lot for the company as well as for Charlotte."

The site will have four buildings. For the most part, it's on-time and on-budget costing about $127 million in taxpayer dollars.

But Channel 9 Eyewitness News found out there's one problem. Most of the money comes from the rental car tax and that dropped 20 percent recently.

Charlotte assistant city manager Ron Kimble said, "This is a big hit. There's no question about it. It's a big, big drop."

City leaders will track the numbers and may have to make tough decisions if the trend continues--something they'd rather do sooner than later.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory said, "I don't want to wait too long to start having to make those adjustments."