Context and Rationale

The Cedar Yards / Foundry District area of the Third Ward is poised to become Center City’s next great urban mixed-use neighborhood. As the Silver Line extends from Gateway Station to the southwest, the opportunity will be created for context-sensitive transit-oriented development and a new, dynamic district within steps of the urban core.

The Bank of America stadium draws thousands of visitors to football and soccer games as well as concerts and other large-scale events. Outside of these events, there is incredible potential to activate this neighborhood year-round by creating new housing, a mix of entertainment, food and beverage, retail and office uses, well-designed streets, and multi-modal connections.

The neighborhood will seamlessly connect to the Silver Line, West End neighborhoods, the Gold District, the redeveloped Pipe and Foundry site, Bank of America Stadium and the core of Uptown. Indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment options should be located on all sides of the stadium, so that it is part of the fabric of the neighborhood, and provides a safe, dynamic experience 365 days a year

Objectives

• Create a new, active mixed-use urban district around Bank of America stadium

• Improve connections from Uptown to FreeMoreWest, the Gold District and Third Ward

• Create a neighborhood that thrives day to day and during the large scale events yet accommodates and respects the lifestyle of current residents

Strategies and Recommendations

C1. DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE VISION, GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PIPE AND FOUNDRY PROPERTY AND THE THIRD WARD WEST OF THE STADIUM AND SOUTH OF WEST 4TH STREET

C1-1 Preserve single-family residential uses North of West First Street near Frazier Park

C1-2 Plan and design the area between West First Street and West Morehead Street as a transitional area between lower-density established neighborhoods and high-density mixed-use transit-oriented development

C1-3 Apply the UMUD designation to properties southwest of Morehead and the Pipe and Foundry site to support high-density, mixed-use neighborhoods

C1-4 Consolidate multiple surface parking into structures shared between daily users (residents and workers) and public / event parking

C1-5 Preserve and adaptively re-use key historic and industrial structures

C1-6 Establish and enforce design guidelines and standards that reflect the historic character, architecture and materials of the Pipe and Foundry site and Third Ward

C1-7 Strengthen the network of connected parks and public spaces to serve high-density neighborhoods, provide active transportation connections, and organize district development

C2. INTEGRATE MULTI-MODAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE THIRD WARD, PIPE AND FOUNDRY SITE AND FREEMOREWEST

C2-1 Design and build an elevated pedestrian walkway over the rail lines that includes art, landscaping and memorable architecture

C2-2 Improve the Coca-Cola Catwalk through Cedar Yards / Foundry District to create a seamless pedestrian /bicycle connection between the Wesley Heights Greenway, the Uptown CycleLink and Bank of America Stadium

C2-3 Coordinate with the Silver Line alignment to extend Stonewall Street from Graham Street under the railroad tracks to Cedar Street

C2-4 Implement the Meck Playbook recommendations to create greenway and trail connections from Frazier Park to neighborhoods west of I-277

C2-5 Re-establish the street grid and regular block patterns south of West Morehead including the Pipe and Foundry site

C2-6 Assess the condition of I-277 over- and underpasses and prioritize improvements for safe, comfortable environments for pedestrians and cyclists

C2-7 Improve I-277 underpasses at South Mint / West Morehead and Clarkson Street

C2-8 Create seamless connections from the Bank of America stadium, Pipe and Foundry / Gold District and Third Ward to the new Silver Line station(s)

C2-9 Ensure strong connections between the southern side of Pipe and Foundry and the Gold District

C2-10 As the area develops, preserve the opportunity for a potential additional Silver Line station along the Pipe and Foundry property around the Summit Street area

C3. CREATE A LIVELY, MIXED-USE DISTRICT THAT INTEGRATES WELLNESS, ATHLETICS AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITES AROUND BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM

C3-1 Improve the transition from the Bank of America stadium into adjacent neighborhoods by working with Tepper Sports to develop and curate new, street-facing ground-floor activity at or around the base of the stadium

C3-2 Design, program and activate plazas and public spaces year-round

C3-3 Use small spaces to create pocket parks, tucked-in courts, and streets that can be easily closed and converted to games and sports

C3-4 Designate walkable, nearby spaces for tailgating

C3-5 Support flexible ground-floor active uses, prioritize streetscape design, and provide generous pedestrian amenities to support a dynamic urban environment

C3-6 Create a range of commercial spaces targeted at local businesses, shops and restaurants that reflect all of Charlotte’s cultures

C3-7 Increase residential development throughout the Third Ward

C3-8 Ensure the redevelopment of the existing Panthers practice field becomes an active and vibrant transition between Third Ward and Bank of America Stadium and the Gateway Station area