Irwin Creek Wastewater Plant Upgrades Begin

The Irwin Creek Wastewater Plant treats about 10 million gallons per day of wastewater that is produced by people who live or work in its service area which includes much of uptown and west Charlotte. Constructed in the 1920's, much of the equipment and structures are decades old and in need of rebuilding a significant portion of the structures and equipment on the site. Council also approved a contract for $2.7 million with an engineering company, Hazen and Sawyer, to provide project management and administration services. This includes observation of construction, facility startup services and operator training.

Light Rail Extension Gets One Step Closer

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) received its Record of Decision from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the LYNX Blue Line Extension light rail project.

The 9.4-mile alignment would run from Uptown Charlotte to the UNC-Charlotte campus and include 11 light rail stations and four parking facilities. The system will operate generally within the existing railroad right of way from Uptown to NoDa, then transition into the median of North Tryon Street from Old Concord Road north, with the last station on the UNC-Charlotte campus.

The FTA Record of Decision determines that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) have been met for this project. The next major step is attaining a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) from FTA, which means the federal government would fund half of the cost needed to build the Blue Line Extension. State and local funds would make up the remaining half.

Final Design is the last phase of project development. It includes right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, preparation of final construction plans, construction cost estimates, bid documents and finalizing the project’s financial plan.

Read the press release CATS Receives Record of Decision from Federal Transit Administration

Chiquita Headquarters Requires Access And Incentives

Working with State and Local Governments on an incentives package worth more than $22 million will bring Charlotte North Carolina another corporate banner. Chiquita Brands International also based their relocation decision on other sound criteria, such as accessibility, costs of living, and leading business climate. The promise of easier international travel from Charlotte Douglas Airport with a direct flight to San Jose in Costa Rica, where Chiquita has a regional headquarters, was critical.

In addition to the total investment of $30 to $35 million, the company will likely move its research and development functions here as well. The total number of jobs for the local economy could approach more than 400 positions during the next two years. The headquarters is rumored to be going to the largely vacant office tower adjoining the NASCAR Hall of Fame, in uptown Charlotte.

Carmel Commons Undergoing Renovation

Carmel Commons shopping center, built in the late 1970's and in need of updates, is getting a $3.5-million face-lift. To make it more attractive from the roadside and more pedestrian friendly: new pedestrian lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, entrance signs, and parking lot repairs. In addition, the facade of the buildings are getting an overhaul: fresh paint, new roofing, new sconces, and new awnings. More than 30 tenants fill the 133,000-sqft shopping center owned by Regency Centers, such as The Jewelry Stop, Fresh Market, Party City, Chuck-e-Cheese, and various boutique shops. The goal is for all renovations to be finished by 2012-March.

GPS:35.08694,-80.84894 Carmel Commons Shopping Center is less than a mile from I-485, located along NC Hwy 51 / Pineville-Matthews Road, between Johnston and Carmel Roads. More than 33,000 drive along the portion of N.C. 51 near Carmel Commons, and more than 25,000 vehicles per day drive on Carmel Road, south of Quail Hollow Road. Read More at Carmel Commons getting $3.5 million facelift - South Charlotte News

EPRI Adds Former Verbatim Building

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has purchased part of the former Verbatim floppy-disk manufacturing plant from Paragon Media LLC for $5-million. The 108,000-sqft of office and lab space on 24-acres located at 1200 West W T Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, NC GPS:35.31628,-80.76322 is adjacent to its existing research facility at University Research Park. Current Address:1300 West W.T. Harris Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28262 GPS:35.31637,-80.76714. They're so close together that the institute plans to carve a path through the woods to connect the two sites, bringing the total to 258,000-sqft of facilities on 45-acres. EPRI is an independent research institute funded primarily by utilities to conduct and manage R&D programs in electric transmission and nuclear and fossil power generation.