Charlotte LYNX Light Rail Case Study

CHARLOTTE LYNX LIGHT RAIL RETHINKING GROWTH IN A SPRAWLING SOUTHERN CITY Jonathan Hawkins Transportation and Land Use Fall 2011

 Charlotte doubled in population between 1980 and 2000 Study: Charlotte ranked 40th of 41 U.S. metro areas in terms of density DPZ: 93% of Charlotte is built out in conventional suburban sprawl

 1938: Last streetcar goes out of service in Charlotte 1996: Charlotte Trolley opens with restored streetcar 1.8 mile line attracts 25,000 riders on weekends over 6 months Trolley generates $600 million in development and 90% property value increase

 1998: ½% transit sales tax referendum passes 58-42 November 2007: “Stop the Train” referendum fails 30-70 November 2007: LYNX Blue Line opens

 Wednesday, November 23, 2011: ◦ I-485/South Blvd ◦ Scaleybark ◦ Bland ◦ Carson ◦ Stonewall

 End of the line Commercial strip development Poor pedestrian accessibility to nearby shopping center 1,120 space free park and ride deck No TOD

 Last park and ride lot (315 spaces) before Uptown Station in median of South Blvd Little of interest in vicinity of station Site of stalled $18 million mixed-use development with 500 housing units

 No parking Significant infill development Mid-rise apartment and condominium development on each side of rail alignment Lively area with shops, restaurants and distinctive branding

 Mixed success at catalyzing development Existing businesses do not create vibrancy or a sense of place Proximity to I-277 may slow development Some bicycle infrastructure

 First stop in Uptown Charlotte Not characterized by dense development Elevated station and freeway proximity problematic Potential Uptown growth area

 Projections: ◦ 2007: 9,100 (trips per weekday) ◦ 2025: 18,100 Reality: ◦ 2007: 15,027 (65.1% higher than expected) ◦ 2009: 14,694 ◦ 2011: 15,400

 $1.8 billion in private development 7,581 completed or planned housing units 9.8 million square feet of new development between 2005 and 2009 (64% Uptown)

 $1 billion projected shortfall from transit tax 1.5 mile stretch of Charlotte streetcar under construction (projected opening 2015) Next priority: ◦ LYNX Blue Line northern extension to UNC Charlotte area (projected 2016 opening) ◦ LYNX Red Line heavy commuter rail to Lake Norman area (projected 2018 opening)

 Impact of rail line on development patterns varies from station-to-station Some areas have seen a clear shift in growth patterns High ridership and support for system expansion indicate that momentum from the Blue Line may continue

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Charlotte LYNX Light Rail Case Study

by Jonathan Hawkins on Dec 24, 2011

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Charlotte LYNX Light Rail Case Study — Presentation Transcript