Charlotte City Council transportation committee votes in favor of below-ground bus hub Uptown

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte City Council took an incremental step on Tuesday toward building a new transportation center, unanimously endorsing a design option that would put the bus hub below ground with retail, offices and parking built above.

Council’s transportation committee voted 4-0 in support after months of questions over harmful air quality if the bus bays are below ground as well as aesthetic concerns. Charlotte Area Transit System’s planning director, Jason Lawrence, told the committee that an imminent shift to electric buses will mitigate potential air-quality problems.

City government and transit representatives also offered results from customers and bus drivers showing a preference for the design.

Transit and city government administrators have said for months that they prefer the design option endorsed by the committee. That approval does not mean the project has been given a green light. The full council must still vote on a future development agreement and a financing plan once those have been negotiated.

The discussions come as CATS battles declines in ridership, a CEO vacancy and other challenges.

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