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University City could see impacts of $118M bond for transportation projects vote

By Elsa Gillis and Mark Barber
By Elsa Gillis and Mark Barber

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you're heading out to vote tomorrow, you're not only picking local leaders, but also decided on nearly a quarter billion dollars for homes, neighborhood improvement, and transportation.

An area that could see a chunk of this money is University City.

Channel 9 is your main election source for the 2018 mid-term elections. 

We will have special coverage starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, on Channel 9. 

Officials told Channel 9 the plan for the area is to better connect the 30,000 students who go to school at the University of North Carolina Charlotte and the people who get off the light rail with retail and apartments, creating a protected bike lane, a multiuse path, and a 12-foot sidewalk.

Voters are being asked to direct $118 million toward transportation projects.

[YOUR VOTING GUIDE: Everything to know before heading to the polls in the Carolinas]

In University City, millions would go toward improving mobility along the northeast corridor including the Blue Line Extension.

"We're working on transforming this community, which was built for cars into one where people can walk and bike," Darlene from University City Partners said. "It's going to add bicycle infrastructure, sidewalks, it'll improve street design because these streets were built 30 or 40 years ago."

The area could also see a vehicle-bike-pedestrian roadway and bridge over I-85.

"It will connect the University, through University Cty into research park, and a lot of people don't realize that our research park is the second largest employer in Charlotte so it gonna give us tremendous relief on our arterials," Darlene said.

Also on the ballot, $55 million for neighborhood improvement projects to add and fix sidewalks, add street lights, and bike lanes in busy communities like Prosperity Village to connect neighborhoods with where people work, shop, and play.

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"The two years I've been here, I've seen Charlotte grow a lot, but it's good that their improving neighborhoods for the safety of people walking," resident Jackee said.

Channel 9's Elsa Gillis said she did speak with people in University City's Prosperity Village community who have lived there a very long time and have mixed feelings about changes.

They said many of the plans would be good for foot and car traffic, but the ongoing development would be difficult.

The city is also asking for $50 million to help tackle Charlotte's affordable housing problem.

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