Development

Manufacturing Land Near Woodlawn Station Just Became TOD-NC

The Charlotte City Council on Monday rezoned a 0.16-acre Verbena Street parcel from ML-2 (manufacturing and logistics) to TOD-NC, 7-2.

Jack Beckett·May 21, 2026

government

On Data Centers, Mecklenburg County Wants a Voice It Mostly Doesn't Have

Mecklenburg commissioners got a deliberately neutral briefing on data centers at their May 19 meeting and signaled they want a position on the fast-growing industry.

Jack Beckett·May 20, 2026

government

Charlotte Council Deferred a Conventional Rezoning 5-4 Monday. Renée Johnson Led the Opposition.

Council Member Renée Johnson pulled petition 2025-136 — a conventional rezoning at 1800 West Sugar Creek Road by Larry Cooper — off the consent agenda Monday, citing her standing concern about…

Jack Beckett·May 19, 2026

government

A 2.5-Million-Square-Foot Data Center Is Going Up off University City Boulevard.

The Charlotte City Council deadlocked 5-5 Monday night on whether to even schedule a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for new data center approvals. Mayor Vi Lyles broke the tie, voting no.

Jack Beckett·Apr 28, 2026

business

SMBC Group Commits to 2,000 Charlotte Jobs in $76 Million Incentive Deal

SMBC Group, the banking arm of one of Japan's three largest financial institutions, has committed to 2,000 jobs in Charlotte over six years in exchange for an estimated $76 million public incentive…

Jack Beckett·Apr 20, 2026

government

Gateway Station Charlotte: Why the City's Transit Hub Has Been 25 Years in the Making

Charlotte Gateway Station has $80 million in completed rail infrastructure and no station building. Phase 1 is done. Phase 2 has no start date.

Jack Beckett·Mar 28, 2026

government

Six Council Members Voted for Affordable Housing in East Charlotte. Four Who Champion Equity Voted No.

Charlotte City Council approved the Crosland Southeast affordable housing project 6-4 at the March 23 zoning meeting. The four no votes came from council members who champion equity — arguing East…

Jack Beckett·Mar 24, 2026

government

Charlotte's $50 Million Housing Bond Is a Non-Starter. Council Said So Monday.

City staff proposed cutting Charlotte's affordable housing bond from $100 million to $50 million in the FY2027 budget. Council members from across the dais rejected the number, with Mayfield…

Jack Beckett·Mar 23, 2026

government

Gateway Station: Two Council Members Say Charlotte Has Waited Long Enough

At Monday's FY2027 budget workshop, Council Members Anderson and Graham pushed for a Gateway Station progress update and connected it to the stalled CTC redevelopment and the former EpiCentre.

Jack Beckett·Mar 23, 2026

government

Charlotte City Council Approves $4.3M Transit Authority Start-Up, Advances Infrastructure Contracts, Defers Gateway Station Parking Lease

Council approved $4.3M for a new transit authority start-up and major infrastructure contracts, while deferring a Gateway Station parking lease and a Norland Road path item.

Jack Beckett·Jan 17, 2026

government

Mecklenburg Commissioners Hear Housing Appeals, Reset A Home for All, and Approve SoFi Incentive

A holiday meeting turns serious fast: homelessness strategy shifts, Atrium's housing claims, board appointments, and a divided vote on a SoFi incentive package.

Jack Beckett·Dec 17, 2025

business

Why Scout Motors Picked Charlotte For Its U.S. Hub And What Mecklenburg County Put On The Table

Scout Motors picked Charlotte's Plaza Midwood for its U.S. hub, promising 1,200 high-wage jobs and $200 million in investment in exchange for performance-based public incentives.

Jack Beckett·Dec 3, 2025

government

What Charlotte Council Actually Approved: Stadium Bonds, Lay-Down Lease, and a 4,400-Seat Performance Venue

Council advanced stadium financing steps, leased a lay-down yard, and cleared a 4,400-seat, privately funded performance venue. No money moves until contracts are finalized and approvals are received.

Jack Beckett·Oct 14, 2025

government

Iron District Files First Phase: 278 Units, Retail, Parking, And A Light-Rail Site

Permits for Parcel E and below I-277 nudge Iron District into site work, with 278 apartments, new retail, structured parking, and a set-aside for a future light-rail station.

Jack Beckett·Oct 9, 2025

government

The Excelsior Club's Latest Revival: $8 Million Plan Seeks $3 Million in Public Money

Charlotte developers seek $3M in taxpayer funds for $8M Excelsior Club revival. Historic venue would be demolished and rebuilt as replica despite sub-1% ROI.

Jack Beckett·Sep 5, 2025

government

Mecklenburg County Ends Brooklyn Village Deal with Peebles After Nine Years of Delays

Mecklenburg County ends a nine-year relationship with The Peebles Corporation after missed deadlines and stalled progress on the long-promised Brooklyn Village redevelopment.

Jack Beckett·Aug 8, 2025

elections

Uptown Shootings Undercut CMPD's Crime Decline Claim

CMPD touts a 25 % drop in violent crime, yet an Uptown shooting reminds residents that statistics don't stop bullets. We dig into the half-year numbers, the fear, and the money at stake.

Jack Beckett·Jul 19, 2025

The Charlotte Mercury

Always Last... To Breaking News!

Manufacturing Land Near Woodlawn Station Just Became TOD-NC

On Data Centers, Mecklenburg County Wants a Voice It Mostly Doesn't Have

Charlotte Council Approved a 41-Acre Atrium University City Rezoning Monday. The Vote Took Two Tries.

Charlotte Council Deferred a Conventional Rezoning 5-4 Monday. Renée Johnson Led the Opposition.

A 2.5-Million-Square-Foot Data Center Is Going Up off University City Boulevard.

SMBC Group Commits to 2,000 Charlotte Jobs in $76 Million Incentive Deal

Gateway Station Charlotte: Why the City's Transit Hub Has Been 25 Years in the Making

Six Council Members Voted for Affordable Housing in East Charlotte. Four Who Champion Equity Voted No.

Charlotte's $50 Million Housing Bond Is a Non-Starter. Council Said So Monday.

Gateway Station: Two Council Members Say Charlotte Has Waited Long Enough

Charlotte City Council Approves $4.3M Transit Authority Start-Up, Advances Infrastructure Contracts, Defers Gateway Station Parking Lease

Mecklenburg Commissioners Hear Housing Appeals, Reset A Home for All, and Approve SoFi Incentive

Why Scout Motors Picked Charlotte For Its U.S. Hub And What Mecklenburg County Put On The Table

What Charlotte Council Actually Approved: Stadium Bonds, Lay-Down Lease, and a 4,400-Seat Performance Venue

Iron District Files First Phase: 278 Units, Retail, Parking, And A Light-Rail Site

The Excelsior Club's Latest Revival: $8 Million Plan Seeks $3 Million in Public Money

Mecklenburg County Ends Brooklyn Village Deal with Peebles After Nine Years of Delays

Uptown Shootings Undercut CMPD's Crime Decline Claim