Context and Rationale

Charlotte’s West End is experiencing profound change as a result of public investment and an influx of new homebuyers and private developers. The West End is rich in history, arts, culture and spirit. The neighborhoods along West Trade Street and the Beatties Ford Corridor include some of the city’s oldest African-American neighborhoods and first racially integrated neighborhoods.

The area is now at a turning point where its character may change in detrimental ways if growth and investment are not consistent with community needs and priorities. The recent construction of phase II of the Gold Line streetcar has improved access between Uptown and the West End, including the planned Five Points Plaza and Johnson C. Smith University. The third phase of the Gold Line will extend along Beatties Ford Road to the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center, bringing with it more investment and speculation.

There have been numerous plans and studies that address West End neighborhoods, with limited tangible results. The time has come to identify, fund and complete projects that support shared community goals.

The 5 Points Forward Plan (2021) focuses on a subsection of the Focus Area. Built on extensive community engagement, the plan envisions a renewed West End Gateway Arts and Cultural Place, which will serve as a welcoming neighborhood center between Uptown and the larger West End. The 5 Points Forward Plan includes transformative recommendations for this area including a signature pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the freeway and a pedestrian promenade on public land reclaimed from the I-77 interchange redesign. It recommends improved connections to and between adjacent neighborhoods while bringing new offices, services and gathering places to the neighborhood.

As these developments take shape, and the Gold Line extension moves further north, it is imperative that the history, culture and character of the West End are valued, protected and preserved. Neighborhood transformation and investment should be focused on equitable, inclusive development and creating a truly mixed-income, diverse neighborhood. Affordable and workforce housing, walkable neighborhoods, and local business support is necessary to prevent displacement as growth continues along West Trade Street and Beatties Ford Road.

Objectives

• Implement programs to minimize displacement of existing residents and businesses

• Create a cultural destination and neighborhood center that serves and celebrates the community 

• Extend investments and community benefits along the Beatties Ford corridor as the Gold Line is developed and extended

• Reconfigure the I-77 / West Trade interchange and develop the West End Gateway

• Identify opportunities for neighborhood-appropriate infill development

• Employ the principles of Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD)

Strategies and Recommendations

A1. AUTHENTICALLY ENGAGE WITH WEST END RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO IDENTITY AND IMPLEMENT PRIORITY PROJECTS

A1-1 Partner with the Historic West End Neighborhood Association, the Northwest Corridor Council of Elders, and Historic West End Partners to identify shared goals and align resources

A1-2 Work with community leaders and existing organizations, including schools and places of worship, to engage with community members

A2. IMPLEMENT A UNIFYING ”ONE WEST END” CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT, MAKING SURE INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY EXTENDS BEYOND JCSU AND ROUTE 16 ALONG BEATTIES FORD ROAD TO HORNETS NEST REGIONAL PARK / TRINITY ROAD

A2-1 Implement the Beatties Ford / Rozzelles Ferry Corridor of Opportunity (COO) projects to leverage public investment and identify strategic next steps, including:

› Affordable housing developments with public and private organizations including the West Side Land Trust

› Public safety and violence reduction programs in partnership with the Safe CLT program

› The Charlotte Equity Fellowship Program community organizing work

› Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements including lighting

› Asset-based community development training for residents and CBOs

› Operations support for fresh and healthy food programs, including the 3 Sisters Market.

A3. IMPLEMENT THE 5 POINTS FORWARD MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY GOALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A3-1 Reconfigure the I-77 interchange and develop the West End gateway area at West Trade and 5th Streets to include an urban park, higher-density mixed-use development, a signature pedestrian and bicycle bridge, and promenade

A3-2 Program and maintain the 5 Points Plaza and support of the 5 Points Center, a commercial hub for businesses owned by people of color

A3-3 Re-animate Beatties Ford corridor and connect the JCSU campus to the rest of Five Points through the design and programming of the Biddle Hall Green

A4. POSITION THE WEST END AS A DESTINATION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY

A4-1 Establish a West End arts and cultural institution on the Beatties Ford / Rozzelles Ferry corridor to highlight and celebrate the area’s history, host local arts and cultural exhibits, and provide programs and community space for residents and neighborhood organizations

A4-2 Create a signature gateway that announces arrival in the West End and celebrates the area’s identity and history

A4-3 Market and promote events, programs and local businesses to foster a shared identity, encourage investment, and attract visitors

A4-4 Preserve and protect culturally significant institutions including the Grand Theater, the Excelsior Club and the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church

A4-5 Incorporate local arts, identity, history and culture into the design of public places including greenways, transit stops, and open spaces

A5. IMPLEMENT PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS

A5-1 Complete the West Trade / Rozelles Ferry Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program

A5-2 Construct the third phase of the Gold Line to Rosa Parks Transit Center

A5-3 Reconfigure the I-77 interchange to improve connections to Uptown and create new public land for development that generates new tax revenue that can be reinvested back into the West End

A6. MITIGATE DISPLACEMENT OF EXISTING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND INCREASE SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERSITY

A6-1 Implement a suite of affordable housing, wealth-building and business support programs for residents

› Property tax or rental assistance for long-time residences

› Programs and funding to rehabilitate older structures so residents and established businesses can remain in the neighborhood

› Partnerships with banks and financial institutions to support home ownership; and technical assistance, incubation and other small business support programs for the BIPOC community.

A6-2 Identify specific opportunities in the corridor for creation and growth of small business, and equity building for the African American community

A6-3 Support the sustainable growth and success of the West Side Land Trust

A6-4 Encourage a mix of housing types, unit sizes and affordability levels

A7. CREATE WALKABLE “10-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOODS” ALONG THE CORRIDOR

A7-1 Provide basic amenities and infrastructure including sidewalks, bike lanes, and free Wi-Fi

A7-2 Plan and design neighborhoods to include a mix of essential services and amenities including parks and public spaces, groceries and pharmacies, and childcare, eldercare, and health clinics

A7-3 Improve connections between neighborhoods and the commercial activity along the Gold Line while protecting the character of existing residential neighborhoods

A7-4 Recruit and support small businesses, artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to bring more people to the neighborhood and support other businesses such as restaurants, bars, galleries, studios, shops and clubs