Project Description:
In 2002, the City of Charlotte undertook a master plan study of the Second Ward area, following the completed 2010 Center City Vision Plan.  The study further redefined goals established in the 2010 Plan: "To create a livable and memorable urban neighborhood in the heart of the City, through mixed land uses, diverse architecture and housing types, unique infrastructure and a hierarch of Open Spaces."  The study established methods for turning Second Ward into a "neighborhood" and less like a group of disconnected institutional and public buildings.

This study looks a the opportunities for enhancing the Brevard Street area from the new Charlotte arena to the convention center.  Secondly, it examines the possible synergies with the additional of a NASCAR Hall of Fame and convention center expansion combined.  Establishing a "connectivity framework" is addressed in the study.  The total area impacted consists of nine blocks bound by East Second Street, East Trade Street, the Charlotte Trolley tracks and South Caldwell Street.  Within these boundaries, nearly forty acres of prime development land exists.  In addition, development opportunities also exists east of Caldwell Street and south of East Stonewall Street, where an additional twelve acres could become available through modifications to the existing I-277 interchange exists.  This area could potentially accommodate future Convention Center expansion, high-density development and better, direct linkage between Dilworth and the proposed NASCAR Hall of Fame.