North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Charlotte’s West End is poised for a transformation aimed at revitalizing the historic neighborhood and reconnecting it to Uptown. The city has received a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study how to improve infrastructure and accessibility in the area, particularly around the I-77 interchanges and surrounding streets.
The federal grant, awarded in 2023, is part of the Reconnecting Communities program, which aims to repair damage caused by past transportation infrastructure. The city is using the funds to study potential improvements that would enhance connectivity between the West End and Uptown, focusing on infrastructure, accessibility, and sustainability.
Julian Burton, mobility planning and policy section manager at the Charlotte Department of Transportation, emphasized the importance of balancing the needs of I-77 with the goals of the project. “We’re not looking to completely redesign this space but to offer a concept—a vision—for what the area can become,” Burton said.
The project builds on the Five Points Forward Plan, which aims to reshape the West End based on community input. As part of the planning process, design charrettes were held in late March to gather feedback from residents. Community members reviewed five proposed concepts for the interchange and surrounding streets, asking questions and submitting their opinions.
Cathy Morrison, CEO of Neighboring Concepts, a planning firm involved in the project, said community engagement is a top priority. “We want the community to feel ownership,” Morrison said. “This isn’t something happening to them—it’s happening with them.”
Designs also consider multiple modes of transportation, including streetcars, bicycles, and pedestrian pathways. “We’re thinking beyond cars,” said Burton. “There are so many ways people move through the West End. We need to enhance the assets we already have and explore new connections.”
The planning process is not just about roads and transportation. It also addresses critical issues like housing, parks, and food access. West End is considered a food desert, and city planners are working to incorporate solutions such as grocery stores and farmers’ markets into the design. Affordable and mixed-income housing is another priority to ensure that residents are not displaced by new investments.
“This project isn’t successful unless we talk to the community,” Morrison said. “That’s how we ensure we’re making the right plan.”
The design process will continue over the next year, with more public engagement planned as the project progresses. Residents interested in staying updated can find announcements and information on the Reconnecting the West End project page.
As Charlotte moves forward with this ambitious plan, the goal is to create a vibrant, connected, and sustainable West End that reflects the needs and aspirations of its residents.