March 7, 2003

Public Invited to Participate in Creation of New Vision Plan for Third Ward and New West Park

Charlotte, NC – Planning is underway for drafting a new vision for the Third Ward neighborhood, including Center City Charlotte's newest park, and the public is invited to participate.  A series of public meetings will allow citizens to comment on the neighborhood vision for Third Ward, including location, programming and conceptual design of the New West Park.

The following public meetings have been scheduled.  All will be held 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East Fourth Street, Room 267.  Parking is free after 5 p.m. in the Davidson Street parking garage.

· March 10: Park program and neighborhood configuration options.
· April 14: Configuration assessment – traffic, utilities, and park development potential.
· May 14: Develop urban design with patterns and timing of development and draft vision plan.
· TBA: Final presentation of Third Ward Vision Plan and New West Park.

In the spring of 2000, Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte adopted the Center City 2010 Vision Plan. Among many suggestions was a large-scale public park to become a symbolic focus of Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte.  As a result of this recommendation, the City and County are working with a consultant team headed by Civitas, Inc., a nationally recognized urban design, planning and landscape architecture firm. The team will collaborate with local and national firms, as well as businesses, community leaders, and citizens to create a neighborhood vision for Third Ward, including the New West Park.
 
The area being studied for the urban design is bound by Sixth Street, Tryon Street, Interstate 277 and Cedar Street. Questions to be addressed during the public meetings and design process may include:
 
· How can the energy of the Center City be leveraged to stimulate reinvestment into Third Ward?
· What is the best size, configuration and design for New West Park to make it the symbolic focus and signature place of Center City, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County?
· What kind of neighborhood should this area of Third Ward become?

For more information, citizens can call 704-330-4336 or check the Web site www.parkandrec.com.  The Web site features a summary of the project, the urban design team members, and an opportunity to comment via e-mail.

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Media contact: Alex Burnett (O) 704-432-0361 (M) 704-579-0288 or burnear@co.mecklenburg.nc.us or Deborah Ryan (O) 704-330-4336 or deryan@email.uncc.edu.