Information Items:
Illegal Signs in the Public Right-Of-Way
Staff Resource: David Christopher, 704-336-3889 – dchristopher@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) will send a letter to Uptown businesses next week educating them about the need to refrain from locating A-frame type signs in the public right-of-way. We hope to gain voluntary compliance; however, the letter indicates removal of the obstruction or issuance of a citation will be next steps if voluntary compliance is not obtained.
A meeting with representatives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, CDOT, Economic Development Office, and the Special Services Division of Solid Waste Services was held recently regarding illegal signs in the public right-of-way. The number of these signs has risen dramatically in the past 12-24 months, especially A-frames type signs. The signs have become obstructions to safe pedestrian movement within the Central Business District. Attached are pictures indicating these obstructions. Efforts to gain voluntary compliance in the past have shown limited and temporary results.
Subsequent meetings have been held with Charlotte Center City Partners on this issue and they are fully supportive of the proposed action. Also attached is a copy of the letter that will be distributed to all businesses utilizing this type of advertising to begin an educational campaign to alleviate this concern.
Bobcat Arena Retail Status
Staff Resource: Kent Winslow, 704-336-2252 – kwinslow@ci.charlotte.nc.us
In October 2005, three restaurants were selected to occupy the street-level retail space at the new arena: Matt's Chicago Dog, Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, and Red's Carolina BBQ. Lease negotiations began at that point with each of the restaurants. In February 2006, the Council approved the terms of the three leases and the restaurants began the design phase to determine their needs and the location for utilities and HVAC systems.
A financial partner with Red's Carolina BBQ has withdrawn its participation and Red's has now withdrawn its proposal. The City's marketing broker, the Providence Group, has secured a proposal from "Blazin' Wings, Inc." to fill the space left vacant by Red's, which is approximately 4,000 square feet. The negotiated terms for Blazin' Wings are very similar to that of the other two restaurants. The recommended proposal will be brought to Council for approval in October.
We anticipate delivering the space to the tenants in November. The tenants believe they can have their space upfitted in about 120 days and will open in April 2007.
East Service Center Open House
Staff Resources:
Water Abernethy, 704-336-4213 – wabernethy@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Ben Krise, 704-336-2485 – bkrise@ci.charlotte.nc.us
City Council is invited to attend an Open House for the East Service Center on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 from 5-8 pm. The Center, located at 5727-A N. Sharon Amity Road, houses seven code inspectors and support staff.
In July 2005, City Council approved a service level change resulting in additional Code Enforcement Inspectors and support staff. These changes resulted in the creation of a fifth code enforcement team. The team provides housing, health and sanitation, and zoning enforcement service for much of East Charlotte. The geographic coverage area extends generally from Central Avenue to North Tryon Street. The new five team alignment was effective January 3, 2006.
Kroc Center
Staff Resource: Tom Flynn, 704-432-1396 – tflynn@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At Monday's City Council presentation on the Kroc Center, staff misrepresented the Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Committee's recommendation. The HAND Committee recommendation that should have been presented to City Council was: To present the Belmont and Independence sites to City Council for further analysis.
Due to the comments made by the Salvation Army representative immediately after this motion was approved, staff thought that the Committee recommendation was: Recommend the Belmont site only if the City is kept whole and the Independence site for infrastructure only. Due to the lack of time between the HAND Committee meeting and the Council meeting, staff did not listen to the tape of the meeting prior to preparing the presentation.
We have discussed this issue with all of the HAND Committee members present and apologize for this mistake.
