How Charlotteans can help shape plan for growth in uptown, surrounding area

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Center City Partners kicked off a series of focus groups and large-scale brainstorming sessions on Thursday as part of its latest vision plan update. The 76-acre redevelopment site known as Camp North End hosted the gathering, a fitting place to begin what is expected to be a 15-month discussion about how uptown should grow.

Located a mile from the center city, Camp North End illustrates how much the city has changed since the 2020 Vision Plan was completed in 2011.

California planning firm MIG is once again leading the consulting team working with Center City Partners, local government and a steering committee on the study. The current study, called All In 2040, has a budget of $600,000.

The resulting vision plan for uptown and adjacent neighborhoods, such as the Historic West End and South End, is scheduled to be finished late next year. In all, the process will span 18 months.

The North End event was the first of many sessions inviting residents, business owners and others to share their ideas and wish-lists for uptown.

Michael Smith, Center City Partners CEO, said the process involves a range of focus groups, larger public gatherings, surveys and community outreach to glean ideas from the broadest possible range of people and interests.

“We’re going to go to people, as well,” Smith said of the outreach involved in assembling the vision plan. “And make a real effort to get to the different slices of our community that may have hurdles to be able to communicate to us.”

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Cox Media Group