Context and Rationale

East Trade Street, from the intersection of the Blue and Gold Lines in Uptown to Elizabeth Avenue, is poised to transform into a dense, walkable, transit-oriented corridor. Key area assets – including the recent Gold Line investment, connections to the Rail Trail, Central Piedmont Community College, and major destinations including the arena and transit center – all position East Trade Street as the next great urban corridor in Center City.

Alongside historic structures, there are many surface parking lots and spaces that should be used to create a more complete neighborhood with high-density housing, hotels and office buildings. Infill development on surface lots and redevelopment of low-density structures will bring more people and life to the area, improving comfort and safety, particularly for pedestrians. Increased density will also result in greater tax revenue to support community amenities.

The redevelopment of the Charlotte Transit Center creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to alter the character of the area around the Spectrum Center, where multiple transportation routes intersect, into a lively, civic-oriented community hub.

New development and investment along East Trade will support a ground-floor environment that caters to pedestrians and transit users. Safe intersections, great active sidewalks, more trees and a network of connected parks and public spaces will create a consistent streetscape that better connects East Trade Street to neighborhoods and destinations east of I-277.

Objectives

• Transform East Trade Street into a dense, safe, walkable mixed-use transit corridor connecting Uptown to Elizabeth Avenue

• Catalyze infill opportunities and enhance outdoor spaces to create an active corridor

• Retain and enhance buildings of architectural or historic significance

• Improve connections under I-277 to Central Piedmont Community College and Elizabeth

Strategies and Recommendations

G1. CREATE A CONSISTENT AND HIGH-QUALITY STREETSCAPE AND PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE FROM THE BLUE LINE RAIL TRAIL AND CHARLOTTE TRANSIT CENTER TO ELIZABETH AVENUE AND THE LITTLE SUGAR CREEK GREENWAY

G1-1 Provide active ground floors through land use and design requirements, building retrofits and façade improvements

G1-2 Improve intersections and pedestrian connections across Trade Street at Gold Line stops

G1-3 Work with local artists to design and install engaging art and installations under I-277

G1-4 Encourage architecture that respects and complements key features of historic structures

G1-5 Identify programs or events to temporarily activate parking lots and other underused

G1-6 Identify areas along East Trade Street where space for pedestrians can be added for a more comfortable walking environment, prioritizing areas in front of buildings that have ground-floor activity

G2. FACILITATE TRANSIT-ORIENTED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL MIXED-USE INFILL DEVELOPMENT WHILE RETAINING HISTORIC AND CIVIC ASSETS

G2-1 Work with property owners, employers and developers to support new development on strategic parcels including surface parking lots, and smaller-scale parking structures, including:

› 551 East Trade Street

› 426 East Trade Street

› 407 East 4th Street

G2-2 Require active ground-floor uses while allowing flexibility in building and design standards and uses to allow

› Community and civic uses (e.g., public meeting rooms or recreation spaces)

› Retail, dining and entertainment

› Co-working or workspaces with ample foot traffic and visibility (e.g., leasing office)

› Recreation, gym or studio spaces

› Art studios and galleries including temporary / pop-up events and installations

G2-3 Establish a maximum allowed distance between building entryways and minimize lobby sizes to support building access and street activity

G2-4 Ensure that ground-floor uses have entrances and are accessed directly from the sidewalk

G2-5 Retain and protect civic uses and structures along the corridor, preserve key historic and/or unique structures, including:

› 725 East Trade (Court Arcade)

› 926 Elizabeth Ave (Uptown Church, Great Aunt Stella Center)

G2-6 Ensure new development supports the uses and structures noted in G1-5

G3. CREATE A CONNECTED SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SPACES AND GATHERING PLACES ALONG EAST TRADE STREET

G3-1 Create a new public gathering space at Brevard and Trade that welcomes commuters and visitors to Uptown and can serve as a civic plaza

G3-2 Enhance and re-program existing parks and green spaces between Myers Street and Caldwell Street to improve permeability and visibility (as feasible on municipally owned land)

G3-3 Redesign and activate the Plaza at Government Center, Old City Hall and the old County Courthouse to become more active and attractive spaces during and after business hours of the City and County

G4. REDEVELOP THE CHARLOTTE TRANSPORTATION CENTER AS AN EFFICIENT, SAFE AND WELCOMING HIGH DENSITY MIXED-USE ENVIRONMENT

G4-1 Improve connections between the Charlotte Transportation Center busses, the Blue Line station, the Rail Trail and the Gold Line with lighting and signage

G4-2 Upgrade the bus terminal to accommodate more efficient and frequent service and decrease noise and exhaust

G4-3 Encourage Charlotte Transportation Center designs that move the terminal underground to make more land available for development and community spaces

G4-4 Improve lighting, air flow, transparency and permeability along Trade Street for improved rider safety and comfort