From Planning to Projects: Collaborating on Street Conversions in Charlotte

The City of Charlotte NC is a Sunbelt city that is experiencing rapid growth. The population is approximately 900,000 people, and much of this growth is occurring in the original streetcar-suburb, pre-World- War-II neighborhoods outside Charlotte's Center City. In 2007, the first segment of a light-rail transit line was opened to south Charlotte, and an extension to northeast Charlotte opened in 2017. These two factors resulted in densification and redevelopment occurring along what had previously been radial commuter thoroughfares to the suburbs. These automobile-focused streets were significant barriers and provided few crossing opportunities for bicyclists or pedestrians. Residents and advocates wanted these streets to complement their neighborhoods, so the city worked with these groups to implement three four-lane-to-two-lane street conversions over the course of several years.