Budget Committee
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Budget
Project(s):
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Northeast Equipment Facility ($8.25M)
Sweden Road Maintenance Yard Replacement ($21.75M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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The City currently maintains 4,886 pieces of equipment from four City facilities.
Using fleet maintenance industry standard benchmarks, the City has a service bay shortfall of 80
bays. The two proposed maintenance facilities would reduce the City’s shortfall to 56 bays and
improve the City’s bay to technician ratio from 2.00 to 2.26, thereby reducing wait times for
equipment repair and expediting service.
Increased bay space translates into increased equipment availability and decreased downtime of
service crews and public safety personnel.
The current bay space deficiency necessitates greater levels of equipment maintenance
subletting (at higher private sector labor rates), which has increased from 17.8% of the City’s
maintenance and repair budget in FY2010 to 24.4% in FY2012.
Northeast Equipment Facility is proposed as a new facility, located in northeast Charlotte.
Sweden Road Maintenance Yard is the City’s oldest fleet maintenance facility (built in 1955).
This project is proposed as a replacement with the new facility relocated to another location.
Relocation would open economic redevelopment opportunities near the Blue Line light rail.
Example efficiency and productivity gains from the proposed facilities include: $225,000 annual
savings in subletting; reduction of 90,000 annual miles (reduced environmental impacts) in
vehicle travel times due to the Northeast facility’s proximity to work crews; $165,750 in
efficiency gains from reduced time driving vehicles to and from maintenance facilities.
Recommendation(s):
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Recommend inclusion of both maintenance facilities.
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Community Safety Committee
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Community Safety
Project(s):
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Joint Communications Center ($64M)
Police Division Offices ($56.5M)
Land purchase for future Fire stations ($4M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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Benefits of a Joint Communication Center
o Improve response times to citizens of the community
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Elimination of 911 call transfers
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Leverage resources
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Centralize E911 assets and personnel i.e. dispatchers, CAD, radio system and workspace
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Share and standardize 911 communication equipment across agencies
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The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will serve as a central hub for disaster
management
Promote neighborhood revitalization and economic development by conveying the
perception of enhanced safety
Additional efficiencies with the addition of 311, Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office, EOC, CDOT
and City Data Center
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Benefits of Police Division Offices
o Increase police presence and accessibility
o Enhance response time and police-citizen interaction
o Provide space for community meetings
o Provide a stabilizing presence within communities
o Provide a catalyst for economic development
o Division offices will be prioritized based on factors such as condition, leases and
community need (Westover Division will be the next priority office)
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Benefits of land purchase for future Fire Stations
o Future addition of stations will improve emergency response to our citizens
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Opportunities exist to purchase land in locations to address current emergency
response challenges
Catalyst to promote economic development and revitalization
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Land purchase alone shows cities commitment
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Recommendation(s):
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Joint Communication Center was unanimously recommended for approval to full Council
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Police division offices was unanimously recommended for approval to full Council
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Land purchase for future fire stations was unanimously recommended for approval to full Council
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Economic Development
Committee
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee:
Economic Development
Project(s):
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Airport/West Corridor Improvements ($43M)
o Spine Dixie-Berryhill Infrastructure (New Garrison Road) ($30M)
o Southern Dixie-Berryhill Infrastructure (Widen Dixie River Road) ($13M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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With the opening of the Norfolk Southern Intermodal Facility in 2014, it is important to invest in
road improvements to support further development for industries such as trucking,
warehouse/distribution, manufacturing, research, communications and technology.
Much of the area west of I-485 is not within the city limits and would require annexation.
Infrastructure planning will create an economic hub that can operate as a new employment
center with a focus on integrated logistics and an inland port.
While this project includes road improvements, there may also be a need to acquire sufficient
land to insure long term implementation and accommodate appropriate development for
businesses attracted by an integrated logistics center.
Projected total economic impact of the Airport/West Corridor projects is $942.7M and 6,910
jobs (source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Recommendation(s):
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Include in the CIP as presented.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee:
Economic Development
Project(s):
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Bojangles Coliseum/Ovens Auditorium Area Redevelopment ($25M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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In recent years, the amateur sports market has been responsible for approximately 50% of the
Charlotte Regional Visitor Authority’s (CRVA) overall room night production.
CRVA has identified a need for additional indoor facilities to attract more amateur sporting
events to the community.
Amateur sporting events normally occur over low business demand periods in tourism, adding
significant, incremental economic impact to the hospitality and retail sectors.
The total project cost is approximately $60 million:
o The City would use $25 million in capital funds to renovate Bojangles Coliseum, acquire
adjacent land to remove blighting influences and provide parking.
o $10 million of tourism funds and $25 million in private funds will be used to build a new
67,000 square foot multi-sport facility, hotel, structured parking and/or complementary
uses such as retail.
Seating capacity in Bojangles Coliseum would be reduced from 10,000 to 7,000, but the facility,
along with Ovens Auditorium, would still be marketable for many civic uses.
CRVA staff reports strong interest from amateur sports governing associations, which are
potential users of a new indoor amateur sports complex.
Potential events include archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, boxing, cheerleading, fencing,
gymnastics, handball, judo, mixed martial arts, powerlifting, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting
and multi-sport events (such as the State Games of N.C.)
These facilities would augment, not compete with, privately run facilities.
Future phases include the acquisition and redevelopment of parcels to reorient the
development toward Monroe Road
Plans include an iconic “gateway” to Independence Boulevard.
Projected total economic impact of the Bojangles/Ovens Area Redevelopment is $20M and 263
jobs (source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Recommendation(s):
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Include in the CIP as presented.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee:
Economic Development
Project(s):
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East/Southeast Corridor - Public/Private Redevelopment Fund ($20M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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The City would use this fund for the purpose of leveraging private investment that leads to tax
base expansion and job creation along Independence Boulevard.
The fund would be available to advance City Council’s policy objectives (i.e. Independence
Boulevard Area Plan, Business Corridor Revitalization Strategy) as opportunities arise to
facilitate, enable or enhance a private development through the provision of infrastructure
and/or gap financing for a greater public purpose.
Uses of the funds include construction of streets, sidewalks and streetscape enhancements;
demolition and removal of blight; provision of stormwater detention facilities and/or provision
of public parking in commercial areas.
Examples of potential uses include:
o Street connections that provide alternate access to Independence Boulevard in
conjunction with future private redevelopment next to Wal-Mart at the Coliseum
Shopping Center, including interchange modifications at Wendover Road.
o A new street connection between Independence Boulevard and Monroe Road near the
Oakhurst neighborhood where current topography makes it cost-prohibitive for private
development.
o Public infrastructure in conjunction with spin-off private development resulting from the
sale and redevelopment of the Eastland Mall site.
Projected total economic impact of the Public/Private Redevelopment project is $28.1M. With
this project and other East/Southeast Corridor Independence Plan projects included in the
Michael Gallis report, the total economic impact would create 445 (source: Michael Gallis &
Associates).
Recommendation(s):
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Include in the CIP as presented.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee:
Economic Development
Project(s):
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Streetcar Extension Project ($119M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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N/A
Recommendation(s):
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The Committee voted to defer its recommendation of this project until the completion of the
Metropolitan Transit Commission’s work group later this spring.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee:
Economic Development
Project(s):
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Applied Innovation Corridor ($28M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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While the Applied Innovation Corridor extends from the Center City to UNCC, the focus of this Project
is an area bisected by Graham Street and generally bounded by Interstate 77, Interstate 85 and
North Brevard Street.
The goal is to provide infrastructure that supports commercial and residential development to
close the gap between the city’s academic and research capital with its business assets and
Center City governmental support.
Graham Streetscape Project ($10m) – Graham Street is State-maintained as a major
commercial/industrial corridor into Uptown and is a critical street in the overall area. This
project envisions adding new sidewalk and planting strips where possible.
Matheson Bridge Streetscape Project ($6.5m) – This project would convert Matheson Avenue
into a two or three-lane urban ‘complete’ street, better connecting North Davidson’s business
district to a potential redevelopment of Delahay Courts/Tryon Hills.
Woodward/24th Street Connection ($2.5m) - Realigning 24th Street to Woodward to make a
four way intersection creates a viable retail location to serve multiple neighborhoods, and
creates a potential "town center" concept with a redeveloped Rite Aid site.
Tryon Street Plan - street connectivity ($5m) – The North Tryon Area Plan recommended the
restoration of the neighborhood street grid to provide greater connectivity within and between
residential and commercial areas.
Private Leverage Fund ($4m) – This fund is designated to provide infrastructure and/or gap
financing for projects within the Applied Innovation Corridor, such as development around the
City-owned Statesville Avenue landfill, a redevelopment around the Rite Aid distribution center
redevelopment, or redevelopment around J.T. Williams school site at I-77/Statesville Road.
Projected total economic impact of the Applied Innovation Corridor is $151.8M. With this
project and the UNCC Informatics and Innovation Partnership, the total economic impact of the
Applied Innovation Corridor would create 567 jobs. (source: Michael Gallis & Associates)
Recommendation(s):
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Include in the CIP as presented.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee:
Economic Development
Project(s):
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UNCC Informatics and Innovation Partnership ($10M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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The project is a 20,000 square foot office and laboratory space to be built and equipped within
the fourth floor shell space of the existing Bioinformatics Research Building on the
Charlotte Research Institute at UNC Charlotte.
The immediate expected impact of this facility will be to increase the amount of federally and
industrially funded research and development in the Charlotte region by at least $2M per year.
The space will include an area for private companies to use in partnership with the university,
with a stated goal to increase the number of informatics, or “big data” workers in the
community to attract and grow industry.
This is a non-traditional use of municipal capital funds, in that the City doesn’t have the
expressed authority to fund educational institutions.
As currently presented, the City Attorney does not believe the City has the express authority to
participate; however, staff will continue to have discussion about ways to partner with the
university to accelerate its emergence as a major research center and job generator.
Projected total economic impact of the UNCC Informatics and Innovation Partnership is $16.9M.
With this project and the Applied Innovation Corridor, the total economic impact would create
567 jobs. (source: Michael Gallis & Associates)
Recommendation(s):
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The Committee recommended further study on this issue, and not including it in the CIP at this
time.
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Housing & Neighborhood
Development Committee
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Housing and Neighborhood Development
Project(s):
Affordable Housing Programs ($60M)
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Housing Locational Policy Land Acquisition Program ($5.4M)
o Funds would be used to support the development of new, assisted multi-family housing in
permissible areas, as defined in the revised Housing Locational Policy.
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Tax Credit Set Aside Program ($16M)
o Funds would be made available to developers receiving a North Carolina Low-Income Tax
Credit Award from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) for the construction
of new or rehabilitated multi-family housing developments serving households earning 60%
($39,100) or less of the area median income.
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Supportive Services Program ($12M)
o Funds would be made available to developers for developments that further the goals of the
Ten-Year Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness. Developments may include a variety of
services and support such as:
 Health care access
 Case management
 Mental health
 Domestic violence
 Substance abuse treatment
 Legal
 Employment training
 Life skills assessment
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Incentive-Based Inclusionary Housing Program ($8.1M)
o Funds would be made available to developers to encourage the development of affordable
housing by the private sector.
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Single Family Foreclosure/Blighted Acquisition and Rehabilitation Program ($6M)
o Funds would be made available to developers or homeowners to acquire/rehabilitate and
re-use foreclosed and blighted single-family properties to expand the supply of affordable
housing in targeted throughout the City.
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Multi-Family Rehabilitation and Acquisition Program ($12M)
o Funds would be made available to developers and multi-family owners to acquire and
renovate housing units in areas of the City where there are high vacancy rates, making all or
a portion of the development available for the provision of affordable housing.
Key Discussion Areas:
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The proposed Affordable Housing CIP request is designed to address the continuum of housing
needs (homelessness to maintaining homeownership)
The proposed Affordable Housing CIP request is designed to address the need for geographical
dispersion and the rehabilitation of existing single and multi-family units that are or may be used to
expand and increase the supply of affordable housing.
The proposed Affordable Housing CIP is designed to continue the creation on mixed-income
communities.
The Committee discussed concerns about the required length of residency before individuals are
able to be served through the men and women’s shelters and at permanent supportive housing
facilities.
Recommendation(s):
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On March 18, 2013, the Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee unanimously voted to
recommend the $60M Affordable Housing Program for inclusion in the recommended CIP.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Housing and Neighborhood Development
Project(s):
Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program ($120.0M)
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Prosperity Village ($30M)
o Capture I-485 development interest
o Capture value of parks and greenways
o Develop transportation solutions
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Central/Eastland/Albemarle ($20M)
o Expand momentum from close-in neighborhood revitalization
o Build on emerging neighborhood school partnerships
o Develop new neighborhood shopping districts
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Whitehall/Ayrsley ($30M)
o Leverage Ayrsley and Berewick development
o Capture value of natural amenities in the greenway and river
o Enhance employment momentum from airport and Arrowood
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Sunset/Beatties Ford ($20M)
o Enhance retail placemaking
o Capture value of parks, greenways
o Support Project Lift communities
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West Trade/Rozzelles Ferry ($20M)
o Support JCSU area transformation
o Enhance park, greenway, bike, and historic amenities
o Support Project Lift communities
Key Discussion Areas:
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The Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program (CNIP) is a new approach that combines
the City’s current Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) and Business Corridor Revitalization
Program, allowing the City to comprehensively address community needs.
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The City’s existing area plans are the foundation for this work.
The proposed CNIP program allows the City to leverage its investments with other public and private
sector partners such as Mecklenburg County’s Parks and Recreation department and private
commercial real estate investors.
While there is no established methodology for estimating the potential amount of increased
property value that will be gained from CNIP investments, we have seen that work done through the
NIP and Business Corridor Program have changed the outcomes in communities and resulted in a
higher than average return on the investment.
Previous City investments have leveraged private sector investment throughout the City. Examples
of this include: Rozzelle’s Ferry Road, the Beatties Ford Road Corridor, and the North Davidson
Corridor.
Recommendation(s):
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On January 23, 2013, the Housing & Neighborhood Development Committee unanimously voted to
recommend the Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program for inclusion in the
recommended CIP.
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Transportation & Planning
Committee
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Transportation and Planning
Project(s):
26 Mile Cross-Charlotte Trail ($35M)
Key Discussion Areas:
Staff provided details on the 3 segments of the 26 Mile Cross-Charlotte Trail.
The Trail will connect existing trail segments with segments scheduled to be built by
Mecklenburg County and segments that could be built by the City.
The goal is to create a seamless 26-mile trail route from Pineville to the UNCC area. The Trail
will consist of urban trail settings like those along South Corridor or through the Metropolitan
area as well as more pastoral settings like those along the Mallard Creek Greenway.
Approximately 80,000 residents and 96,000 jobs are located within ½ mile of the proposed Trail.
Staff detailed how cities across the nation have dramatically expanded their trail systems as part
of their transportation, quality of life and economic competitiveness strategies. Staff showed
how Charlotte’s trail system is lagging behind many other cities.
Committee members asked questions regarding alternative funding options and trail
maintenance.
Projected total economic impact of the entire Cross-Charlotte Trail is $370M and 1,160 jobs
(source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Recommendation(s):
The Committee moved to recommend this project to the full Council for the March 20th budget
workshop.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Transportation and Planning
Project(s): East and Southeast Corridor
Monroe Road Streetscape ($10M)
Idlewild Road/Monroe Road Intersection ($4M)
Sidewalk and Bikeway Improvements ($8M)
Key Discussion Areas:
Staff provided information detailing how the East/Southeast corridor projects help to
implement key components of the Independence Boulevard Area Plan.
Projects include key street connections, streetscape, intersection improvements, and
bike/pedestrian projects.
Staff provided examples and visuals of each type of project and identified key catalyst areas.
The Committee had questions regarding possible alternative funding sources for these projects.
The Committee also had questions regarding increased traffic at the Idlewild/Monroe
intersection as a result of the Independence Boulevard project and asked for information
regarding the Silver Oaks project.
Projected total economic impact of the above projects is $74M. With these projects and other
East/Southeast Corridor Independence Plan projects included in the Michael Gallis report, the
total economic impact would create 445 jobs (source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Recommendation(s):
The Committee moved to recommend the above projects to the full Council for the March 20th
budget workshop.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Transportation and Planning
Project(s): Northeast Corridor
Research Drive – J.W. Clay Connector over I-85 (North Bridge #1) ($15M)
University Pointe Connection – IBM Drive to Ikea Boulevard (South Bridge #2) ($14.5M)
Northeast Corridor Infrastructure (NECI) ($102.5M)
Key Discussion Areas:
CDOT staff explained the transportation benefits of the two bridge projects and their
importance in relieving the W.T. Harris/North Tryon intersection as these job-centers and UNCC
continue to grow.
The bridges create key connections between the job centers and the Blue Line Extension station
areas.
The Committee had questions regarding possible alternative funding sources for the bridge
projects and asked that staff continue to work with CMS to reduce project right-of-way costs for
the southern bridge. The Committee recognized that there is already an MSD for the University
City area.
E&PM staff provided a summary of the NECI corridor projects. The presentation included
examples of completed projects along the South Corridor and how these projects
complemented the significant development that has occurred along the South Corridor.
Staff provided before/after visualizations of the types of projects that would be implemented if
NECI funding was advanced.
The Committee asked whether the NECI corridor might be an opportunity for a large-scale
alternative funding district.
Projected total economic impact of the two bridges is $119M and will create 1,244 jobs
(source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Projected total economic impact of the NECI projects is $362M and will create 1,866 jobs
(source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Recommendation(s):
The Committee moved to recommend the above projects to the full Council for the March 20th
budget workshop.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Transportation and Planning
Project(s): Road/Infrastructure Projects
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Prosperity Church Road – NW Arc ($5M)
Eastern Circumferential/Railroad Bridge ($11.6M)
Park South Drive Extension ($8.3M)
Key Discussion Areas:
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Staff provided details on each of the above projects and explained the timing and benefits
associated with each project.
The Committee had limited discussion regarding the Prosperity Church Road project.
Committee members had several questions relating to the design expectations for the Eastern
Circumferential /Railroad Bridge project.
The Committee also discussed how the parking deck will be impacted by the Park South Drive
Extension and how the relocation of those parking spaces will be handled.
Projected total economic impact of the Prosperity Church Road interchange is $76M and 1,834
jobs (source: Michael Gallis & Associates).
Projected total economic impact of the Eastern Circumferential is $42M and 350 jobs (source:
Michael Gallis & Associates).
Projected total economic impact of the Park South Drive Extension is $3.6M (source: Michael
Gallis & Associates).
Recommendation(s):
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The Committee moved to recommend the above projects to the full Council for the March 20th
budget workshop.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Transportation and Planning
Project(s):
Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety Improvements ($60M)
Key Discussion Areas:
Staff provided details on sidewalk and pedestrian improvements that are currently funded and
the types of improvements that the City has historically constructed.
Staff explained how the proposed sidewalk and pedestrian safety funding would implement
approximately 70 new sidewalk projects and allow for numerous pedestrian safety
improvements at mid-block crossings and intersections.
Staff detailed the next 15 projects that would move forward if funding was available.
The majority of improvements would be focused to make it safer and more comfortable to cross
and walk along thoroughfares.
The Committee asked questions regarding building sidewalks along state roads, improving
crossings in areas where there is senior housing and how CDOT prioritizes sidewalk and safety
improvements.
Recommendation(s):
The Committee moved to recommend the above projects to the full Council for the March 20 th
budget workshop.
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General CIP Projects Referral to
Council Committees: Report-Out
Council Committee: Transportation and Planning
Project(s):
Repair and Replace Bridges ($14M)
Upgrade Traffic Signal System Coordination ($15M)
Upgrade Traffic Control Devices ($19M)
Key Discussion Areas:
Staff explained how the City is responsible for maintaining and replacing 198 bridges and
culverts throughout the City.
Staff detailed the improved traffic flow efficiencies and increased capacity that can be provided
along roadways that are part of the City’s coordinated signal system and the importance of
updating the traffic control devices at the City’s 735 signalized intersections.
The Committee was in agreement with the importance of providing this infrastructure and to
ensure that the City’s traffic signals and bridges are in good working order and repair.
Recommendation(s):
The Committee moved to recommend the above projects to the full Council for the March 20th
budget workshop.
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