Charlotte’s Building A New ‘Gateway Bridge’ – Asking Residents To Vote For Their Favorite Design

Steve
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Charlotte’s Building A New ‘Gateway Bridge’ – Asking Residents To Vote For Their Favorite Design

People driving to Charlotte from Raleigh (and anywhere else North East of our city) will soon be greeted with a giant new ‘Gateway Bridge’.

The city is currently in the planning stages of a new infrastructure project that will connect Research Drive to J.W. Clay Boulevard, including a towering new bridge over I-85 with an artistic and soon-to-be iconic design.

Project managers are now asking for input from Charlotteans as to which design they like the best – and any other ideas or thoughts they might have.

“We will strive to incorporate the most popular features into the final design as the budget permits,” says Project Manager Dan Leaver. “The design will be one of the first things drivers see when they enter Charlotte, so we want to make sure it represents the community.”

new-charlotte-entrance-bridge-designs

The main differences between all 4 concepts are the exterior designs, each bridge will include two travel lanes, sidewalks, streets lighting and a two-way cycle track separated from traffic.

Here is a video of the new infrastructure improvements and the new bridge designs (skip ahead to 2:25 to see the bridge concepts):

It will be the first bridge to cross I-85 with both sidewalks and bike lanes, and it will be the first project completed with 2014 voter-approved bonds.

“Together, these projects are continuing the city’s commitment to improving our transportation network for all types of users of all different abilities — whether on foot, on a bike, in a bus or in a car,” says Leaver.

The city will take in online feedback until June 24th. They will then host an online meeting to finalize which the design.

Please provide your feedback for which bridge you like the best:

You can check out more information about the project on the city’s website here.

Charlotte Housing Monthly Review – May 2017

Leonard Brecken
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Charlotte Housing Monthly Review – May 2017

charlotte-housing-stats-may-2017

  • KEY HIGHLIGHTS. The Charlotte housing market continued many of the positive trends exhibited recently although affordability continues to be the most substantial headwind forming.  Another headwind potentially is higher interest rates as well if the Federal Reserve continues to hike rates.
  • CUMMULATIVE DAYS ON MARKET.  This figure now stands at 52 down from 63 a year ago, down 7 from April’s 56 and near record lows dating back to 2004.  The decline continues a trend that began since 2011.
  • AVERAGE SALES PRICE.  This figure FELL slightly from near record levels at $274,957 in May vs April’s $275,49, but still up 6.6% year over year.  The 12 month average stood at 8.6%.
  • CLOSED SALES.  This figure fell 0.3% year over year while year to date rose 7.0%.
  • PENDING SALES. This figure rose 16.6% year over year while year to date rose 8.1%.
  • MONTHS OF SUPPLY OF HOMES.  This figure held steady from the prior month at 2.5 days, but fell year over year by 26.5% from 3.4.  The figure remains near record lows for data since 2005.
  • COMMENTARY. The recent drop in 30 year mortgage rates (according to Freddie Mac) to seven months lows remain the most significant positive development in the near-term.  In addition, with the Commerce Department reporting wages rising 0.7% (above expectations) that too needs to be closely watch given the affordability issues that may thwart any further price appreciation.  Over longer-term future Federal Reserve rate hikes and potential tax cuts by the Administration remain key factors in sustaining the health of the housing market.

Data Source:  Charlotte REALTOR Association.  

This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be applied or relied upon in any particular situation without the advice of your tax, legal and/or financial services professional. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Past performance does not indicate future results. Waddell & Reed is not affiliated with any other entities referenced. Member SIPC (06/17)

North Carolina Rip Currents Take Another 4 Lives In The Past 10 Days

Charlotte Stories
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North Carolina Rip Currents Take Another 4 Lives In The Past 10 Days

rip-currents-north-carolina-beachFour more people have died from strong rip currents along the North Carolina coast over the past 10 days.

The tragedies include; 21-year-old Justin Eakes, who died at Atlantic Beach trying to help his friends, a 56-year-old man, who suffered from a cardiac arrest and drowned in the rip current after saving 2 teenage girls at Atlantic Beach, and 2 teenage boys, 16-year-old Tyreese Worsley and 17-year-old Elijah Hinnant, who were both caught in a rip current and drowned at a beach on Emerald Isle.

According to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), our state has seen a total of 54 rip current deaths since 1996, and the death rate has continued to increase since then;

The NOAA posted numerous strategies for staying safe in the ocean:

▪ Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.

▪ Never swim alone.

▪ Learn how to swim in the surf.

▪ Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches.

▪ Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.

▪ Stay at least 100 feet from piers and jetties.

▪ Wear polarized sunglasses to help you spot signs of riptides – such as a break in the pattern of waves approaching the shore.

▪ Pay especially close attention to children and elderly people.

If caught in a rip current:

▪ Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.

▪ Never fight against the current.

▪ Think of it as a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.

▪ Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle – away from the current – toward shore.

▪ If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim toward shore.

▪ If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help.

If you see someone in trouble:

▪ Get help from a lifeguard.

▪ If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911.

▪ Throw the rip current victim something that floats – a life jacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.

▪ Yell instructions on how to escape.

▪ Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

Many beach goers are also starting to wear the new miniaturized emergency flotation devices.

To find out more information about rip currents and how to stay safe while swimming in the ocean, you can visit www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.

Amazon Now Offering Their ‘Prime Now’ Service in Charlotte – Delivery In Under 1 Hour

Steve
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Amazon Now Offering Their ‘Prime Now’ Service in Charlotte – Delivery In Under 1 Hour

charlotte-prime-nowAfter last-year’s addition of same-day delivery for Amazon Prime members in Charlotte, the company is now rolling out an even faster option – ‘Amazon Now‘ – your order delivered in under 2 hours.

Until recently, Amazon offered free one-day shipping to Charlotte residents who placed a minimum order of $20. Now, Prime members in Charlotte can get free two-hour delivery on orders of $20 or more, and if you really need your new fidget-spinner immediately, they’re even adding a one-hour delivery service for just $7.99 extra.

“We keep making Prime better, and as our operational capabilities grow, we will continue to invent and expand delivery options that customers love,” commented Greg Greeley, the vice president of Amazon Prime.

Amazon has been rapidly growing their presence Charlotte region over the past 10 years. They’ve added over 2 dozen ‘Amazon Locker‘ locations around our region, build two massive distribution facilities, and recently announced a new hiring spree at their Concord facility.

Amazon also recently purchased the entire Whole Foods grocery chain for $13.7 billion. With 3 Whole Foods here in the Charlotte region, this could soon mean instant grocery delivery options for Charlotte residents.

If you want to test out Amazon’s new 2-hour deliver service, check out our list of the Top 10 Products Charlotte Residents Are Buying On Amazon For Under $5.

What do you think Amazon will do next?

Eight-Time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard Just Became A Charlotte Hornet

Charlotte Stories
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Eight-Time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard Just Became A Charlotte Hornet

The Atlanta Hawks have just traded 8-time NBA All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets will be sending Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli, as well as their 41st draft pick to Atlanta for Howard and the 31st draft pick.

Hornets GM Rich Cho commented that the Hornets are ecstatic to add “a player of Dwight’s stature.”

“He has been a very talented player, an elite rebounder and rim protector as well as a physical presence since the moment he entered the league,” Cho commented in a statement yesterday.

The all-star signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with the Hawks this past July, but had a surprisingly disappointing season.

He averaged just 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds per game with the Hawks, which was close to his production in the last of his three seasons with the Houston Rockets in 2015-16.

31-year-old Dwight Howard is an eight-time All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year – he’ll now be playing for his third team in three seasons. He’s expected to earn $23.5 million per season for the next 2 years.

Most Hornet fans in Charlotte seemed to be excited about the trade: 

But some fans were less than enthusiastic:

What are your thoughts?

Do you think this was a good trade for the Hornets?

Burglar Gets Beat Up By NC Homeowner During Attempted Robbery

Charlotte Stories
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Burglar Gets Beat Up By NC Homeowner During Attempted Robbery

attempted-burglar-beat-upThis week a North Carolina man got the surprise of his life when he tried to rob what he thought was an empty home.

28-year-old John Alexander Bracken kicked the door in on a Carolina Beach Home and was quickly confronted by an angry homeowner on Saturday afternoon, according to news station WECT.

The two began a relatively brief fight, which resulted in the would-be burglar lying bruised and bloody in the front yard.

When officers responded to the breaking and entering call on Monroe Avenue, they found Bracken lying in the yard and arrested him for first-degree burglary, injury to real property, and injury to personal property.

WWAY reported that Bracken was then taken to the New Hanover County Jail where he was placed under a $7,500 bond to await trial.

The resident was uninjured in the incident.

 

City Council Approves Massive New 180 Acre Development – Charlotte’s Next Birkdale Village

Steve
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City Council Approves Massive New 180 Acre Development – Charlotte’s Next Birkdale Village

farmington-mpv-properties2

As Charlotte continues it’s ever expansive growth trend, there’s one thing everyone seems to be asking for – more retail.

This past Monday night, the Charlotte City Council approved a major new retail-heavy 180-acre development in North Charlotte, called Farmington. The new mixed-use development will be similar to Baxter Village in Fort Mill, Birkdale Village in Huntersville, and Arsley in South West Charlotte – only bigger.

It will be built on a 180-acre tract of raw land just north of Rocky River Road near I-485.

charlotte-farmington-development

According to MPV Properties, the new Farmington development will include:

  • A 120-room hotel.
  • A 14-screen movie theater.
  • 200,000 square feet of retail space.
  • 160,000 square feet of office space, including medical offices.
  • 300 townhouses.
  • 275 apartments.
  • 120 units of “active senior” housing.

It will also include walking trails, bike lanes, and a greenway connection.

What do you think about the new Farmington development? 

Harris Teeter Issues Hummus Recall Due To Possible Listeria Contamination

Steve
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Harris Teeter Issues Hummus Recall Due To Possible Listeria Contamination

harris-teeter-recalled-hummus-pictureHarris Teeter has just announced an immediate recall of a Fresh Foods Market item due to potential listeria contamination.

The recall is for a specific variety of Pine Nut Hummus, named:

Fresh Foods Market Artisan Hummus Pine Nuts UPC 7203602705

After receiving the recall from their supplier, Lantana Foods, Harris Teeter immediately removed the product from all its shelves.

Harris Teeter is warning shoppers not to eat any of the hummus, and instead, to return it for a full refund at any local Harris Teeter store.

In addition to this press release, Harris Teeter is also using customer data to call and email shoppers who may have purchased the product.

If you have any questions about this recall, you can contact Lantana Foods directly at 1-855-215-5142.

North Carolina Ranked The 4th Best State In America For Summer Road Trips

Steve
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North Carolina Ranked The 4th Best State In America For Summer Road Trips

north-carolina-best-summer-road-trips-in-americaGas prices are down to one of their lowest levels in years – this summer may become the cheapest to fill up since 2005.

If you live in North Carolina, this is especially good news, as our state has just been ranked the 4th best state in America for Summer road trips, according to WalleHub.

The site compared all 50 states across three key dimensions; costs, safety, and activities, using 22 relevant metrics. The Tar Heel State narrowly lost to Washington (#3), Utah (#2), and Oregon (#1). Our sister state of South Carolina came in at #22 overall (ranked #1 for the lowest average gas price):

One of North Carolina’s biggest ranking boosts was in the ‘scenic byways’ category where we ranked #1 – the Blue Ridge Parkway and our Outer Banks simply can’t be matched (check out the ‘Backroads of North Carolina Guide‘ to plan the ultimate scenic trip).

Some of our other high marks included;

8th – Lowest Price of Three-Star Hotel
12th – Avg. Gas Prices
14th – Car Thefts per Capita
4th – Access to Scenic Byways
10th – Lowest Price of Camping
6th – Driving Laws Rating

Do you agree with the rankings? 

Upcoming Developments In York County Add Up To Over 1,700 New Homes

Steve
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Upcoming Developments In York County Add Up To Over 1,700 New Homes

York County is currently seeing one of the largest building booms in its history, as many around the growing Charlotte region continue to discover the lower cost of living and better schools in South Carolina.

The upcoming developments add up to over 1,700 new houses, townhomes, and apartments, in various stages of approval in York County.

The largest by far is Westport, a 842-home, 432-acre development planned to be built on Lake Wylie along SC 274.

westport-lake-wylie-development

The first phase of Westport, which will add 570 single-family homes to York County, was just approved by the county last week, it’s now expect to be finished by 2021. The second phase, which would include 272 units, still has to be approved.

Last week’s county commission meeting also approved several other projects, including:.

▪ Glynwood Forest – 124 townhome project in the Regent Park area.

▪ Allison Meadows – 71 single-family home development east of Handsmill Highway and south of Allison Creek Rd.

▪ The Ridge at Fort Mill – 38 single-family homes along Holbrook Rd. 

▪ Henry’s Glen phase 2 and 3 – 34 single-family homes near Lake Wylie west of Brandon Rd. 

▪ Baxter Village – 7 additional single-family homes on 3 empty acres. 

These other projects add up to another 274 approved residences, on top of the 570 approved for Westport’s first phase – and this was just one week’s meeting.

There are now approximately 750 additional units that are still waiting to approved in proposed developments across York County.

What do you think about all the new growth in York County? 

 

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