Charlotte has a 50 + year legacy of intentionality in city building and a strong tradition of creating a new downtown plan every decade beginning with the Odell Plan in 1966. These plans establish a “big picture” and vision for how Charlotte’s Center City should grow and develop over the long term, serve as a blueprint for both public and private investment, and provide policy guidance for elected leaders.
Past Plan Highlights
Jointly owned by the public and private sector, these plans do not just sit on a shelf but have underpinned some of the most significant moves our downtown has made over the last several decades. The most recent downtown plan, the Center City 2020 Vision Plan, was adopted by City Council in 2011 and set the stage for the most productive decade of development in Center City’s history. Below are highlights and recommendations from previous plans.
2020 Vision Plan
Adopted 2011
Construct a new minor-league baseball stadium, and adjacent urban neighborhood in Third Ward
Become a city of bikes by launching a bike share program in Center City and investing in new cycling infrastructure
Plan for and develop the city-owned land along Stonewall Street
2010 Vision Plan
Adopted 2000
Recommended uncovering and revitalizing Little Sugar Creek in Midtown
Proposed the creation of new public parks in First and Third Wards
Planned for a new downtown arena
Urban Design Plan
1990
Sited the location of an NFL-sized stadium
Proposed a larger dedicated convention facility
Established a county-wide transit system, CATS
1971 Ponte Travers Wolf Plan
1971
Created the blueprint for the I-277 highway loop
Called for higher density office development (more skyscrapers)
Created the Overstreet Mall / elevated pedestrian walkways in the Central Business District
Odell Plan
1966
Creation of a new civic/convention center in the heart of Uptown (the current location of EpiCentre)
Establish a pedestrian plaza at the intersection of Trade and Tryon (Polk Park / Independence Square)
Introduce a mixture of high-rise and mid-rise residential in Uptown (residential towers in all four wards)