Fueled by leadership with vision, development continues in Uptown Charlotte.
Quote(http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/04/14/17/592-center_city_building.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.JPG)
UNCC breaks ground on uptown "presence"
By David Perlmutt
dperlmutt@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2009
For years, UNC Charlotte seemed connected to Charlotte by name only â€" a hilly outpost rising from pasture and scrub oaks 10 miles northeast of uptown.
Tuesday, the university began building some long-awaited connective tissue to the heart of Charlotte as officials broke ground for UNCC's planned 12-story, $50.4 million Center City Building in uptown's First Ward.
The cantilevered midrise at Ninth and Brevard streets will look something like a giant Rubik's cube that's been twisted, or as UNCC Chancellor Phil Dubois prefers: “A 12-story stack of books.†It will house the Belk College of Business MBA program â€" among other graduate and continuing education offerings â€" in clear view of Charlotte's banking skyscrapers.
“In my view it's the most important building we'll ever build,†Dubois said in an interview. “Because of that 10-mile stretch â€" that has grown larger and larger over the years â€" people have forgotten where we are and who we are.
“This building will give us the presence we need to help us introduce our resources to the rest of the city.â€
Construction of the 143,000-square-foot classroom building will begin in early May, with the opening for students set for fall 2011. The building will overlook a 4-acre park and launch the development of a 22-acre urban village by Charlotte's Levine Properties.
In addition to the MBA program, the building will house UNCC's new MBA concentration in sports marketing and management and the architecture school's new urban design masters degree program. It will also offer classes in engineering, health and human services, liberal arts and sciences.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/664487.html
Here is a rendering from another angle.
Quote(http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/03/18/15/545-0319smithcol.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg)
The cantilevered design was done by Philadelphia-based KieranTimberlake in partnership with Charlotte's Gantt Huberman Architects. KieranTimberlake's client list includes UNC Chapel Hill, Yale, Cornell and Princeton.
Harvey Gantt of Gantt Huberman said the Center City Building, close by ImaginOn and linked to the proposed First Ward Park and private development, “promises to offer to citizens a new and memorable place in the center city.â€
University officials believe the building, which will have 25 classrooms, an 18,000-square-foot plaza, 7,000 square feet of ground floor reception and event space and a 300-seat auditorium, will become part of the cultural fabric of the central business district.
The auditorium, for example, will be made available for public events, and the lobby will be a public space with amenities such as an art and architecture gallery, a bookstore and a coffee shop.
Charlotte's Rodgers Builders will be construction manager of the project, which will seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/dougsmith/story/606723.html
Interesting architecture, but I'm glad that thing is in Charlotte and not here! :)
Still, Kudos to Charlotte for keeping the ball rolling.
How could you ever be glad that we don't have that! You may not like the building from an aesthetics standpoint but that is exactly the type of interesting architecture that can significantly drive growth of an urban core. Distinctive buildings always garner interest.
^ Agreed. I didn't mean I wouldn't want a structure serving a simlar purpose, I just don't like the building itself. :)
Charlotte's Transportation Director (and a planner) was in town today for JaxPride's annual lunch....he talked about this project and other things they have done and are doing in the Queen City....he was followed by Mayor Peyton, who almost sounded converted to the potential of rail transit.
^awesome. Maybe we should bring in leaders from other progressive cities until the shame/embarrass Peyton into action.
Good. Considering we already have $100 million set aside for rapid transit, we'll find out in the upcoming months how serious he really is and where his true priorities lie.
he actually mentioned the money...but didn't say what should be done with it
Mr Richter called, and he want his building back. :) Whatta monstrosity. Yet, some in Jax are still gonna 'front' acting like that looks good. Gimme a break!
I like it, for the fact that it adds to an area rich with a diverse collection of modern architecture. Whether you personally like the city or it's buildings, with one visit to Uptown you'll have to agree that the modern architectural landscape stands out for a second tier city. Continuous blocks of stucco boxes can only appeal for so long.
Nevertheless, better yet, its a suburban college with students and faculty investing in downtown.
It's definitely 'modern' Lake; That we can agree on. :)
Quotehe was followed by Mayor Peyton, who almost sounded converted to the potential of rail transit.
Anything to deflect the Trail Ridge fiasco....
Charlotte has way more money than Jax, and banks, the largest bank in the US is HQ there, and if Charlie Rice had not sold out Barnett, who knows, maybe Jax could have a building that is 3-parts Rubix cube, too!
I personally love it (I failed to mention that above). While a whole city of buildings like this may be overkill, a unique standout building like this takes that city to the next level. Really at this point in our cities "development", I'd take a UNF building shaped like a turd sandwich if it was downtown.
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on April 16, 2009, 08:36:56 PM
^awesome. Maybe we should bring in leaders from other progressive cities until the shame/embarrass Peyton into action.
HAHAHAHAHA. That's fantastic. Then maybe he can be set up to go speak in those cities about what we are doing in Jacksonville. The snickers and whispering from the room might drive the embarrassment over the top!
QuoteCharlotte has way more money than Jax, and banks, the largest bank in the US is HQ there, and if Charlie Rice had not sold out Barnett, who knows, maybe Jax could have a building that is 3-parts Rubix cube, too!
Very true. At the JaxPride luncheon yesterday, the speaker from Charlotte stated that one of the main reasons Charlotte has been so successful recently is because of the interest that the private sector has taken in the city. This is easy to do when you have 8 Fortune 500 companies in your city.
While the banks were very critical to getting the Johnson and Wales campus to DT Charlotte, I have not heard that they were significant backers FINANCIALLY of this project. Given their current state, that would be hard to justify anyway.
Will our leaders ever get it? Jacksonville's idea of Downtown growth is adding another facility to house the homeless while at the same time encouraging uses like The Art Institute and Florida Coastal Law School to locate in the suburbs.
Corporations tend not to jump on board, if the public realm is visionless and has no coordinated long range plan of what it wants to become in the future. If you're a CSX or Fidelity, supporting something like that would be like throwing your money in a fire.
I love the amount of excuses that this city generates. For every Charlotte, there is a Tucson or a Norfolk out there that is also able to get their plans off the ground. Is there anyone out there who would suggest those two places have a larger corporate presence than Jacksonville. Norfolk has one Fortune 500 company and its a railroad, yet they are able to get a light rail starter line out of the ground. Tucson has zero, but they have been able to jump start a small heritage streetcar line and now have plans for a modern streetcar system.
Norfolk (now under construction)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/497401295_cJPxz-M.jpg)
Tucson - Old Pueblo Trolley
(http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org/1511_Small_1.jpg)
QuoteI love the amount of excuses that this city generates. For every Charlotte, there is a Tucson or a Norfolk out there that is also able to get their plans off the ground. Is there anyone out there who would suggest those two places have a larger corporate presence than Jacksonville. Norfolk has one Fortune 500 company and its a railroad, yet they are able to get a light rail starter line out of the ground. Tucson has zero, but they have been able to jump start a small heritage streetcar line and now have plans for a modern streetcar system.
You're right, it shouldn't be an excuse. But it sure doesn't hurt to have that kind of influx of cash from the private sector. By no means though should it prevent us from getting some sort of rail off the ground.
It doesn't hurt. Charlotte may be an exception, however compared to most second tier metros, Jax is pretty well off in the corporate world. This is a benefit we should take advantage of, like Charlotte has done.
Quote from: cline on April 17, 2009, 10:05:47 AMVery true. At the JaxPride luncheon yesterday, the speaker from Charlotte stated that one of the main reasons Charlotte has been so successful recently is because of the interest that the private sector has taken in the city. This is easy to do when you have 8 Fortune 500 companies in your city.
Did the 09' F-500 list come out yet? Because in 08' Charlotte had seven Fortune 500's.
I'm not making excuses for Jax, but lets kinda hold our horses on making Charlotte out to be this "burgeoning megalopolis that no one in the South can keep up with", or something. Don't be surprised if Charlotte has six F-500's next year. I hate sunny weather and beaches.
On Gangland that comes on the History Channel, it kinda surprised me that Charlotte have a gang problem, from some gang called the Hidden Valley Ranch, or projects, or whatever; Whoa, what are they gonna do? Drown me in salad dressing? Notorious Charlotte, the next Chi-Town. :)
The number of Fortune 500 companies is irrelevant. Charlotte use to have ten F-500s about a decade ago. That didn't give it the DT or the transportation system that it has today. Population, form of government, etc. are irrelevant too.
The difference is the public and the business sector have figured out how to create vibrancy DT, they understand the inportance of transit, they both desire that CLT be a first-tier city, and they have continued to put center city at the forefront of the city's consciousness. None of those things have occurred in Jax.
Jax doesn't need to be pointing a finger toward other cities in regards to crime either. I've seen at least three cable shows on Jax highlighting crime or homelessness. Jax has a much bigger reputation for crime than CLT ever has.
Quote from: I-10east on April 17, 2009, 01:17:54 PM
Did the 09' F-500 list come out yet? Because in 08' Charlotte had seven Fortune 500's.
I'm not making excuses for Jax, but lets kinda hold our horses on making Charlotte out to be this "burgeoning megalopolis that no one in the South can keep up with", or something..
Yeah, Charlotte's no Atlanta by any means. It just stings when Charlotte accomplishes certain things Jacksonville fails to because in some people's view (mine especially) Charlotte is like our rival sister city.
It seemed for awhile we were keeping up with them, but they do appear to be pulling ahead in several areas lately.
Sad to say, they have pulled far ahead, in regards to urban core connectivity and vibrancy. Whether it was going out and finding a college to invest in Uptown, embracing rail or seeking cultural attractions like Nascar's Hall of Fame, they are pretty aggressive in their efforts. Despite the aggressiveness, the impressive part is everything is coordinated to stimulate synergy between multiple uses. None of the projects there seem to be a result of isolated planning (ex. the Prime Osborn in LaVilla alone or the new courthouse not being designed to integrate with surrounding properties). Because of this, things are still booming in Uptown, while major construction in DT Jax has come to a standstill. We still have the bones and potential, but we'll never take advantage of either if we don't pull our heads out of the sand, develop a vision and stick to it.
QuoteThe number of Fortune 500 companies is irrelevant.
I believe Charlotte's F500 companies are much larger than the F500 co's here in Jax hence BOA Stdium vs. jacksonville Municpal Stadium.
The BOA Stadium is privately owned. That private owner sold the naming rights to BOA, so I don't see the relevance to the city's ability to develope it's DT. If the naming rights' proceeds went to the city itself, that would make sense, but in Charlotte's case it doesn't apply.
You missed my point... I wasn't talking about private ownership of the stadium or where / who the naming rights money goes to.
BOA is much higher on the list of Fortune 500 companies then anything we have here and can afford naming rights to an an NFL stadium vs. Jacksonville who struggles to sell naming rights to JMS.
On average we've had more nationally televised games then the Panther's too.
QuoteBecause of this, things are still booming in Uptown, while major construction in DT Jax has come to a standstill. We still have the bones and potential, but we'll never take advantage of either if we don't pull our heads out of the sand, develop a vision and stick to it.
This is true. We have all the potential. As I see it, the problem is that we don't have the leadership in Jax willing to step up and champion true change. This goes for the public and private sectors. I haven't heard any real players in the business sector speak out about it. The Mayor seems to only be concerned with BRT and the Port. Lip service only goes so far. At one point Charlotte was in the same boat as Jax but the leaders (public and private sector) decided they wanted change. I'm not saying that we need to be Charlotte but they are a good role model for us. I found a speech given by the CEO of BofA talking about this sort of thing. It is an interesting read. Sure, it may be irrelevant how many Fortune 500 companies we have. What is not irrelevant is that we need both the public and private sector to really take an interest in our city and help bring change. This means more than just talking about it.
http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/index.php?s=63&item=80
We need to quit being jealous and go out and get our own and/or do something! Quit trying to be like other cities and take the bull by the horn, initiate our own aggressiveness, and strive after our own identity (we have none really)!
Hear that Mayor Peyton?
Heights Unknown
Quote from: thelakelander on April 17, 2009, 03:04:49 PM
Sad to say, they have pulled far ahead, in regards to urban core connectivity and vibrancy. Whether it was going out and finding a college to invest in Uptown, embracing rail or seeking cultural attractions like Nascar's Hall of Fame, they are pretty aggressive in their efforts
Did you just call the NASCAR Hall of Fame a cultural attraction?
Yeah. Check it out. Its going up right next to the convention center.
(http://www.lera.com/pimg/nascar/2857301_large.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2956860240_f074a3ea7d_o.jpg)
I believe education leads to vision and effective leadership, among other valuable attributes. Unfortunately, I hear many reasons (excuses?) for not completing high school, much less attempting an Associate's. Duval County lags sorely behind Mecklenburg County in both high school graduation and Bachelor's attainment rates. Causation, correlation, coincidence?
When I worked at St. Joe, a large percentage of those at the Assistant Vice President level and above lived in St. Johns County. At FNF/FIS/LPS, the same holds true. A disproportionate number of executives and upper-level management are recruited from outside Jacksonville because qualified candidates are difficult to find.
From the US Census, 2000 data:
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html) > Select state > drill down to county or city level
Excluding states, green indicates highest 3 values of data set; red lowest 3
High school graduation rates (%), 1999 per capita income ($)
Duval: 82.7 (20,753); Jacksonville: 82.3 (20,337); Florida: 79.9 (21,557)
Nassau: 81.0 (22,836)
Clay: 86.4 (20,868)
St. Johns: 87.2 (28,674)
Mecklenburg: 86.2 (27,352); Charlotte: 84.9 (26,823); North Carolina: 78.1 (20,307)
Fulton: 84.0 (30,003); Atlanta: 76.9 (25,772); Alpharetta: 95.2 (39,432); Georgia: 78.6 (21,587)
Suffolk: 78.1 (22,766); Boston: 78.9 (23,353); Massachusetts: 84.8 (25,952)
Middlesex: 88.5 (31,199); Cambridge: 89.5 (31,156)
Bachelor's degree attainment rates (%)
Duval: 21.9; Jacksonville: 21.1; Florida: 22.3
Nassau: 18.9
Clay: 20.1
St. Johns: 33.1
Mecklenburg: 37.1; Charlotte: 36.4; North Carolina: 22.5
Fulton: 41.4; Atlanta: 34.6; Alpharetta: 57.1; Georgia: 24.3
Suffolk: 32.5; Boston: 35.6; Massachusetts: 33.2
Middlesex: 43.6; Cambridge: 65.1
Yeah, Charlotte beat out ATLANTA among other cities for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
If NASCAR isn't your idea of culture, then try this on for size.
Quote
Uptown arts complex running on time
First part of project expected to open this fall
By Mark Washburn
mwashburn@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, Mar. 29, 2009
At the corner of South Tryon Street and West First Street looking north, the arts complex adjacent to the Duke Energy building (left) is starting to take shape.
Charlotte's uptown museum and arts complex is on time and on budget, meaning doors should begin swinging open this autumn.
First to come on line will be the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts, which may open as early as late September, said Patrick Diamond, director of development.
A combination art and history museum and cultural center, the four-story building at the corner of South Tryon and Stonewall streets will contain about 7,000 square feet of gallery space in its three main exhibit halls. An area on the fourth floor includes an outdoor terrace for special events.
The exterior of the building is largely covered now and interior work is progressing. The building was a challenge for architects because of its narrow dimensions â€" about 55 feet by 400 feet. It sits atop a truck tunnel that serves the new 48-story Duke Energy headquarters, formerly the Wachovia tower, which is under construction across Tryon.
A block north on Tryon, the Bechtler Art Museum is now enclosed and interior work is speeding along. The building presents a glass façade to Tryon Street and other sides of the complex. With about 35,000 square feet of space, it can house about 10 percent of the 1,300 pieces in the Bechtler collection at any time.
“It's intended to be intimate, fun and lively,†said Bob Lilien, who represents Bechtler. “Art is the star.â€
The museum is expected to open in early 2010 with its signature, 16-foot-tall Firebird sculpture out front. Its main gallery will be on the fourth floor, and the building will include an outdoor sculpture garden on a terrace with kinetic displays.
New Mint getting a shell
Next door, the new Mint Museum in Center City is still awaiting its outer skin, which will include four stories of glass enclosing the building's atrium. A fifth-floor terrace, partially canopied, will be used for special events and is expected to be able to accommodate 250 people for a sit-down dinner, said Phil Kline, executive director of the Mint Museums.
Kline said he expects the building to be ready for occupancy in April 2010, and a grand opening should follow in August.
In addition to housing the Craft + Design collections at the current location on North Tryon, the new museum will include the American and contemporary art collections now at the Mint Museum of Art on Randolph Road. The Randolph Road facility will be getting a new look, and galleries there will feature the Mint's ceramics, art of the ancient Americas and historic costume and fashionable dress collections.
The new Tryon Street museum has about 20,000 square feet of space that will be available for future expansion.
Knight Theater more intimate
Interior work is under way on the Knight Theater, which will offer 1,177 seats and will be the venue for the quirky “Aluminum Show,†a combination of puppetry, dance, percussion and other elements. It will open in January 2010 as part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Broadway Lights Series.
The auditorium, with an orchestra pit that can accommodate 65 musicians, has a stage two-thirds the size of the Belk Theater's. It will provide an intermediate-size venue between the 2,100-seat Belk and the 430-seat Booth Playhouse, said Tom Gabbard, president of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, which will manage the theater.
Because all the properties are clustered, there are savings because they can share parking, custodial services, security and climate control.
Originally, a condo development was planned atop the Church Street side of the Mint, but it has been put on hold indefinitely because of the recession. The building is being designed in a way that will allow a high-rise project to be constructed on top of it later, said Bob Bertges, executive vice president and managing director for corporate real estate for Wachovia.
“They'll build up there eventually, either a condo or a hotel or other structure,†Bertges said.
Steel work is continuing on the pinnacle of the former Wachovia tower, now known as Duke Energy Center, which will be the second tallest building in the city after the Bank of America tower. It should be topped out in April and completed by year's end, Bertges said. Wells Fargo, which acquired Wachovia this year, will be a major tenant.
Let me add that I totally agree that Jax does not need to duplicate the PROJECTS in Charlotte, so much as it needs to acquire the ATTITUDE and VISION that is there. A Law school would be just as good as a undergrad annex. Of course, you take your opportunities where you can get them.
Also, while JaxNole adds a very truthful and important element to the discussion, I think the 'chicken and egg' aspect of that needs to be considered. If Jax were a more 'happening' place, the city could do a better job of keeping it's home-grown talent (including the Stanton/Paxon/Anderson grads) and attracting it from elsewhere. Once hooked on the DT area's appeal, many more, especially the 20-30 somethings, would want to live in the core rather than St. John's County.
All on three adjacent blocks. Across the street from the convention center and Stonewall light rail station. This area should result in a huge light rail ridership boost and enhance Charlotte's convention appeal. It appears there are multiple things that have been coordinated and planned together to stimulate greater energy within a compact setting. What a concept.
Knight Theater
(http://www.campaignforculturalfacilities.org/_images/photos_facilities/knight.jpg)
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts
(http://www.pridecommunicationsinc.net/online/images/aaccnewbldg.jpg)
Bechtler Art Museum
(http://www.hgor.com/images/portfolio/wachovia2-main1.jpg)
Mint Museum
(http://www.youngaffiliates.org/customers/107071718521156/images/Expansion.jpg)
Duke Energy Tower
(http://www.pbase.com/bz3rk/image/93985953/large.jpg)
Quote from: vicupstate on April 18, 2009, 07:52:58 AM
Also, while JaxNole adds a very truthful and important element to the discussion, I think the 'chicken and egg' aspect of that needs to be considered. If Jax were a more 'happening' place, the city could do a better job of keeping it's home-grown talent (including the Stanton/Paxon/Anderson grads) and attracting it from elsewhere. Once hooked on the DT area's appeal, many more, especially the 20-30 somethings, would want to live in the core rather than St. John's County.
While our city continues losing ground in terms of any subjective measure of progress, I believe the chicken and egg problem can be approached simultaneously. Anecdotally, many of my Stanton alumni have or are moving back to Jacksonville after having received their college educations in cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston as well as London and Paris. They have come back not just because Jacksonville is home and so are family and friends, but because they bring back with them experiences, culture and knowledge that lack here.
I left Jacksonville for Boston, came back and, for illustrative purposes only, make thrice the per capita amount of income as Jacksonville per the Census. This allows me to donate to area charities, spend money at non-chain restaurants (thanks, yelp.com), afford the farmers market, buy British pies at the Riverside Arts Market, donate to my high school band program, etc.... In essence, I am contributing to what is local in one of the most powerful ways: through money.
And though I don't live downtown, I live in the same residence in Riverside as I have for four years, adding stability to a once-rough section. Mobility on my block has decreased and I know every neighbor.
But, yeah, we can turn the chicken and egg situation into having chickens and eggs at the same time.
Well, my prediction on Charlotte losing a F-500 became true on the 09' list (Wachovia fell; Charlotte has six F-500's now) Jax lost two fortune 500's (FNF, FNFIS; Jax has two CSX, WD now) I guess we're still managing to stay two steps behind Charlotte; I guess the internal Metrojax negativity is starting to rub on me a lil'. :)
Charlotte has 8, not 6.
This year's list includes eight companies in the Charlotte region â€" down one from last year, because of Wells Fargo's purchase of Wachovia. Wells Fargo ranks 41st on this year's list, the same position as last year.
2009 rank
2008 rank
2008 revenue
(billions)
Bank of America
11
9
$113.1
Lowe's
47
48
$48.2
Nucor
106
151
$23.7
Duke Energy
204
204
$13.2
Sonic Automotive
337
298
$7.5
Goodrich
354
375
$7.1
Family Dollar Stores
359
358
$7.0
SPX
402
466
$6.1
^^^You, and Cline were right; I was going by the city, rather than the metros; I mean, who the hell knows where Mathews, NC is at. Hopefully Winston Salem isn't in Charlotte's metro. :)
I had to laugh when I read this article. While we continue to debate
IF we should invest in rail, these guys are debating over where the next rail line should be built.
QuoteDebate over rail lines starts tonight
Costs mean only one can be built next, but which: North corridor or Lynx extension?
By Steve Harrison
sharrison@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2009
The tug-of-war over Mecklenburg's next rapid transit line begins tonight when the Charlotte Area Transit System unveils its latest cost estimates for the Lynx Blue Line extension and the commuter rail line to the Lake Norman area.
The most recent long-range plan, approved in 2006, called for CATS to build the two train lines at the same time. Construction on the north corridor would begin first, but both would be operating by the middle of next decade, under the 3-year-old plan.
Since then, CATS' finances have been battered by the economy and construction costs have continued to rise.
Now it's likely that CATS will only be able to build one more significant rail project.
CATS chief executive Keith Parker said last week the estimates will show the two projects are still financially feasible, even though the price of the 11-mile Lynx extension is expected to have risen considerably since a $750 million 2006 estimate. In this past year, CATS has said the extension would likely cost $900 million, and that it could approach $1billion.
“We feel pretty good about where things are,†Parker said.
The Metropolitan Transit Commission, which decides what train line should be built next, will hear the cost estimates Wednesday. The presentation will likely touch off a debate that's been dormant for more than a year â€" which rail line should be built first?
Davidson mayor John Woods, an MTC member and supporter of the commuter train, called it “low-hanging fruit.â€
“The practical news is this: We have a north corridor with a rail bed that's shovel ready. It's a relatively simple project.â€
Building the commuter rail line from uptown to Mooresville will likely cost between $330 and $400 million. Because it uses existing freight rail line, construction isn't expected to be complicated. Construction could begin in 2009 and the train could begin operating early next decade.
But competing against the north corridor is the Lynx extension, which has strong support from the city of Charlotte. Unlike the commuter train, CATS is expecting the federal government to pay for half of the construction costs â€" the only way CATS can finance it under its current budget.
Extending the Lynx up North Tryon Street to University City is expected to be much more complicated than building the original light-rail line. CATS has at least another year of design and engineering work for the northeast extension, and it's expected to take nearly three years to build.
If CATS has the opportunity for as much as $500 million in federal funding, the transit system may be hesitant to build the commuter train. The federal government might not award CATS a construction grant if it believes CATS will have trouble paying for its share of construction costs.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/678787.html