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North Tryon business corridor in works, officials say

By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com
By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After years of talks and planning, the first signs of movement on the North Tryon business corridor are in the works.

The $10 million project will transform North Tryon and Church streets.

Heavy machinery is in place to complete the first eco-friendly green project of its kind on this side of the Mississippi River.

This week, crews started cutting down trees on Church Street, which the city calls a key move on an important corridor.

[LINK: North Tryon business corridor]

"North Tryon is really more important for us as we make the north side of town a much more active place,” Tom Warshauer, community engagement manager for the city of Charlotte, said.

North Tryon will be for northbound traffic only from the WSOC station on North Tryon Street up about a quarter of a mile.

Southbound traffic will be diverted onto Church Street from about 28th Street.

The idea is to make that end of north Charlotte look more like two Dilworth roads: Kenilworth and Scott avenues.

Kenilworth Avenue splits and heads south near Carolinas Medical Center and Scott Avenue goes north, with easy access to businesses between and transportation options throughout.

“This will really open up North Tryon (Street) to be a much more beautiful gateway,” Warshauer said.

Warshauer said the $10 million plan will add crosswalks, sidewalks, planting strips, decorative lighting, bike lanes, public art and landscaping.

"People will enjoy living in that area as well as working in that area much more after this project is done,” he said.

People who live in the neighborhood didn't want to go on camera, but said that it’s about time that north Charlotte got some of the development that has been seen in south Charlotte.

Business owners are worried that the change in traffic patterns may confuse their customers.

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