Uptown

22 | Update! It's Built! /  by keihly moore

Put (real) stripes and a curb cut on it!

Way back in January 2014, I dreamt of making more obvious a connection that was natural to all those who "jaywalked" across Church Street to their favorite watering hole. Now, thanks to lots of work in the City and advocacy by Scott Curry, the stripes are real! 

After for real: May 2015 - the connection is complete! Put stripes and a curb cut on it! (photo: Dylan McKnight)

I've heard second hand that the image I imagined provided a good start to the conversation and got everyone on the same page for what the crosswalk could look like. It's a spark that started the fire! 

Before: Fall 2013: No midblock crosswalk, despite the obvious beckoning of Latta Arcade.

After (proposed): My vision of what it could look like. 

Yay for getting things done! Thanks to Dylan McKnight who took the current photograph. 

19 | PARK(ing) Day is on Friday, September 19th! /  by keihly moore

Put a park on it!

We are very excited to organize Charlotte's biggest PARK(ing) Day yet! Come on down to Tryon Street on Friday, September 19th from 10am - 6pm and come enjoy the mini-parks sprinkled up and down Tryon Street. They are between the Mint Museum and Discovery Place, about 1 per block. YOU will get to vote on your favorite park! Also keep an eye out for Little Free Libraries the teams are making! They will be donated to surrounding neighborhoods on Saturday September 20th. The Library will be stocking them with books, so if you have any extra books sitting around bring them by and take a book home!

Map of teams + locations

Here is a list of the organizers and participants.

These are the guidelines that the teams must follow - they help make a vibrant, interesting public space!

15 | Dress up the Skyline at Romare Bearden Park /  by keihly moore

Put a mural on it! 

By Dylan McKnight

Before: Skyline view standing in Romare Bearden Park. 

After: Make the skyline more colorful!

Standing in Uptown Charlotte’s new multi-million dollar Romare Bearden Park, the beautiful skyline is obstructed by the view of a large parking deck.  Put a mural on it!  Urban wall art can revitalize blank walls in the city and provide unexpected color and culture around every corner.

9 | 4th Street Extended Mystery Road Improvements /  by keihly moore

Put a buffered bike lane, street trees and flowers on it!

by Keihly Moore

Before: I'm not sure what the plans are for this "street diet" but I hope they look like the following.

After: Take up that extra lane space and give the bikes and pedestrians more of a buffer. Adding trees and plants will create more enclosure and encourage cars to drive slower. It will also beautify the environment, creating a more attractive gateway into Uptown and Wesley Heights.

1 | Romare Bearden Park /  by keihly moore

Put a crosswalk on it!

by Keihly Moore

Before: No formal crossing from Romare Bearden Park to Latta Arcade.

Before: No formal crossing from Romare Bearden Park to Latta Arcade.

Romare Bearden Park just opened in late August 2013. It's a much needed public open space for Uptown. There are, however, a few more opportunities that could dramatically improve the park's access. Traffic on Church Street is one way, and it moves fast. Vehicles need to start learning to slow down on this block where restaurants, bars, and other shops pull visitors from the park, and vice versa. There should be a mid-block crossing to formalize, and make safer, this relationship. 

 

After: with raised crosswalk to enhance the connection between Latta Arcade and the park.

After: with raised crosswalk to enhance the connection between Latta Arcade and the park.