March 28, 2024

City Speaks is your connection to what's going on in Charlotte government. Here you will find the latest information on city initiatives, services, events and programs, and other relevant, trending topics.

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Spectrum Center Renovations and Hornets Practice Facility Gain Council Approval 

Charlotte City Council on Monday voted to revise its agreement with Charlotte Hornets ownership to invest in Spectrum Center renovations and a new practice facility. The new proposal calls for the city to invest $245 million toward arena renovations and $30 million toward the practice facility development. 

The new practice facility will be developed on the gravel lot adjacent to the arena. Sixty percent of the gravel lot will be used to construct the practice facility, which will include a medical office. The remaining 40% will be used for ‘district vision supported uses’ such as a hotel or expansion of the practice facility.

City Council Approves West Sugar Creek Land Sale for Affordable Housing Development

The Economy Budget Inn Hotel shortly before its demolition.

Council cleared the way on Monday for the city to sell land in the West Sugar Creek Corridors of Opportunity, once home to a hotel plagued with criminal activity, to a nonprofit to develop affordable housing units. 

The city purchased the 4.32 acres of land at 5350 Reagan Drive in April 2023. Before the acquisition, the property was an operating hotel with a history of nuisance and criminal activity. The March 25 vote approves the sale of the land to Prosperity Hidden Valley, LLC, for $1 to develop affordable, for-sale townhomes. 

“We’re really excited about this project,” said Warren Wooten, the city’s assistant director of affordable housing. “The [developer] is proposing 39 townhomes for affordable homeownership. So that meets one of the council’s big objectives of providing more affordable housing opportunities in our community.” 

The development calls for a minimum of 39 new construction for-sale residential townhome units, which must be affordable to families earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The units must maintain the required rate of affordability for 20 years.  

“For perspective, a household of four, you're looking at income below $78,000," said Wooten. “This gives folks at that income range an option to get into homeownership now, rather than having to wait.” 

The developer will use the House Charlotte Downpayment Assistance Program and special mortgage financing options from reputable banking partners available to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

The city sought to acquire the land as part of its investment strategy into the Corridors of Opportunity. Feedback gathered during the West Sugar Creek Playbook development recommended reducing the concentration of economy hotels at the interchange of Sugar Creek and I-85, which had been a hotbed for crime.

The parcel of land purchased by the city sits between I-85 and the Hidden Valley neighborhood. 

“One thing identified during the playbook work was that there was an overabundance of hotels on that corridor,” said Wooten. “One of the strategies is to take down some of those hotels that have been under-occupied and put in new housing assets that the community is asking for. This site sits right next to the Hidden Valley neighborhood, and many of the residents there have been very vocal about wanting to see new homeownership opportunities.” 

Affordable housing is only one wave of investment for the city as it revitalizes the area. Corridor Revitalization Coordinator Erin Gillespie says this is one of many ways the city is engaging the community.  

“This project has brought attention to other underperforming hotel or motel properties. But it's not the only way that the city is investing in the corridor, either. We have been working hand in hand with the new Sugar Creek Business Association, which is focusing on organizing the business owners within the corridor. 

We also received a large federal grant last year for the Sugar Creek mobility corridor project, which will bring a whole suite of mobility infrastructure investments to the community. So this housing project is a huge investment and a really big win. And it's one of many ways we're working with the community to grow the corridor.” 

Visit charlottenc.gov for more on the Corridors of Opportunity,

Charlotte Fire Accepting Fire Recruit Applications Through April 10

Charlotte Fire Firefighter Recruit Jarvis Harris is scheduled to graduate on March 28, 2024, with Charlotte Fire Recruit Class 124

Charlotte Fire is accepting applications for its firefighter recruit program until April 10, 2024. Starting a new career in the fire service is something many people dream about. From saving lives to protecting property, a firefighter is a noble and rewarding career choice that allows you to make a difference in your community while serving others.

Apply Today

Building Police-Community Relations with Captain Stephen Iyevbele 

Captain Stephen Iyevbele (right) shaking the hand of fellow officer James Whitt.

The following is an excerpt from a recently published article on charlottenc.gov. To read the full article, click the button below.

Metro Division Captain Stephen Iyevbele joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department after spending six years with the United States Army (82nd Airborne Division). The decision to transition out of the military and into police work was a natural one for him, since his father served in the Nigeria Police Force for 38 years and retired as the Chief Superintendent of Police. He had been around police all his life, so it made sense for him to want to follow in his father’s footsteps. 

That wasn’t the only reason he wanted to become a police officer, though. Iyevbele wanted “an opportunity to give back” to his community. So, that’s what he set out to do. He let his passion for working with Charlotte’s youth and our various youth programs drive him day after day, year after year. Eventually, his commitment to serving the community resulted in something he never saw coming—a 2022 Police-Community Relations Award (PCRA). 

“I was very surprised,” recalled Iyevbele, “and at the same time honored to know that I was nominated.” He went on to explain that CMPD officers do so much amazing work throughout the community, but they don’t advertise it. “We do not serve our community for recognition. It’s just what we do.” 

Read the Full Story

Upcoming Events 

FEATURE EVENT: Business Connections (April 11)

Connect with Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE), discover City of Charlotte project opportunities, network with primes and project managers and more. Click the first link below if you are with a construction firm that performs work as a subcontractor. Click the second link if you a with a services firm that performs work as a subconsultant.

Construction Subcontractor Sign Up

Services Subconsultant Sign Up

Check out these other city events: 

• New Americans Voices Unlocked (April 8) 
• Tuckaseegee Pollinator Garden Volunteer Event (April 10) 
• EarthShare Cleanup at Camp Greene Park (April 11) 
• Belmont Pollinator Garden Beautification Day (April 12)
• Lunch & Learn with the Innovation and Technology Team (April 12) 
• Treetops & Tombstones: Charlotte's Super Natural Arboretum (April 27) 

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority has more on what’s Happening in CLT.

Behind the Crown: Rebecca Deal 

It takes a village to care for Charlotte’s more than 3,000 miles of streams and several acres of lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Rebecca Deal with Storm Water Services is helping lead the charge. As a long-term stewardship program supervisor, Rebecca and her team manage stream restoration projects, and maintain infrastructure that removes pollutants from water before it enters streams and creeks. 

In this episode of Behind the Crown, Rebecca takes us to a wetland to show how Storm Water Services protects one of the city’s most important resources.

Behind the Crown

More Stories Worth Your Time 

• Spring Into the New Season: Spring Cleaning Checklist 
• City, Albemarle Grant Supports Corridors of Opportunity Nonprofits 
• Don't Wing It: Prepare to Travel 
• 'Charlotte SHOUT!' Back in the Queen City
• 🎥 A New Exhibit Examines Charlotte's History, and Imagines Its Future 

Let us know what you think of this edition.