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Action Alert: Critical greenway & Uptown CycleLink connection in peril

Uptown CycleLink at Cedar Yards

Graphic: Uptown CycleLinks Report – Concept Designs

At a public hearing on May 20, Rezoning Petition 2024-031 was presented to Charlotte City Council. The rezoning would allow modifications to the Panthers practice fields and construct a fieldhouse for football operations and activities on 12 acres located on the east side of South Cedar Street, west of 4th street, and north of Mint Street.

The petition was revisited at a zoning committee work session on June 4. Council is expected to vote on June 24. 

In its current state, the rezoning would impact a segment of the Wesley Heights Greenway, specifically the connector between Cedar St. and Graham St.

This area, called Cedar Yards, includes the path that runs in front of Clutch Kitchen & Pourhouse and alongside Bank of America Stadium. This is a popular connector between surrounding communities and uptown and an important piece of the Uptown CycleLink network, which we have supported and advocated for since 2015.

The good news is that there is a solution that would allow the stadium renovations to move forward while also preserving and improving the path to the 17-foot width that is needed to accommodate bicycling and walking in this popular area. 

Would you join us in asking Charlotte City Council not to approve the current rezoning petition? As a condition of approval, the petitioner should be required to commit to greenway improvements that serve the public interest. We support the Five Points Community Collaborative’s asks, which they laid out in their recent letter to Charlotte City Council, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, City staff, and the media. 

Take Action!

We encourage you to speak up in support of protecting this vital segment of the greenway network and Uptown CycleLink. Email your City Council Members and Planning Commission / Zoning Committee Members.

There are two easy ways to take action.

  1. Submit your comments through the City’s online form here. This page also includes some useful background information about the stadium project. 
  2. Email your City Council Members to let them know why it’s important to you that this section of the Uptown CycleLink be built to a high standard. 

Tell them you want:

  • The recommended streetscape improvements for the Uptown CycleLink to be included as a condition of the rezoning, and specifically mention the Cedar Yards and Mint Street sections.
  • The greenway and Uptown CycleLink connection to remain open for public use, closing only for special events at the discretion or approval of the Charlotte Department of Transportation.
  • Cedar Yards area greenway connection to include:
    • A 12’ greenway bypass of the “zig-zag” stair and ADA-ramp connector by the stadium’s north
      entry driveway.
    • Ped refuge island and improved crossing of Cedar St.
    • Widening of the greenway to include a 7’ sidewalk and 10’ cycle track for approximately 450’
      from Cedar St. to the existing pathway that connects to the Panthers practice site.

Uptown CycleLink status map

 

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