Charlotte, NC (09-12-05) -- Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department will hold the second in a series of three community workshops on Wednesday September 28, 2005 to hear citizens' comments and suggestions on how to develop WestPark, Charlotte's first major urban park. The workshop will be at Johnson & Wales Auditorium, 801 West Trade Street, beginning at 6:30pm. Interested citizens are invited to come and participate.

Specifically at this workshop, the design consultant will present alternative concepts for developing the park, and attendees will have a chance to critique and comment before a final design is completed.

Mecklenburg voters approved $9-million in park bonds for this park in 2004. WestPark is just its working title. A proposal to name the park in honor or Charlotte born artist Romare Bearden is well along in an official process, but a final decision is still pending.

This park will cover more than 8 acres, bounded by 2nd, 4th, Mint and Graham Streets. Part of 3rd Street may be closed and traffic rerouted. The parks department plans to demolish most existing buildings on the site soon and begin grading and planting much of the site in grass. This temporary grass will serve as a kind of preview of the park, which will be developed between by 2007. County commissioners hope this park will attract millions of dollars in economic development such as high rise housing, offices, stores and restaurants--around the park.

For more information about the community workshop contact Parks Planner Brian Conroy at 704 336-7694 or conrobh@co.mecklenburg.nc.us .