The Newsletter Of The First Ward Neighborhood Association

Spring 2015FirstWardCLT.com

Everything You Want to Know about First Ward ParkAn interview with Daniel Levine (Levine Properties) and Lee Jones (Mecklenburg County Parks & Rec)(by Megan Gude)

You’ve seen the plans. You went to the ground breaking. You’ve seen the red clay moving, and moving and moving. Here’s the latest on the next great thing coming to our neighborhood – First Ward Park. Q: First things first, what we’re all dying to know is: when will the park be open? A: The park should be substantially complete by December 15th. Expect an official opening in late December or early January. Q: How big will the park be? What will it look like? A: First Ward Park is 4 acres, just a little smaller than Romare Bearden Park. It is between Brevard and the light rail line, and stretching from 7th Street

Your neighborhood association hosts a monthly social/informative meeting the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held from 5:30-7pm at 7th Street Public Market.

Spring means new beginnings and your First Ward Neighborhood Association Board is proud to announce the first official logo of your neighborhood! You’ll be seeing this around social media, signage, this newsletter, and more. Doesn’t the flower design sum up the Garden District perfectly? We think so!

June 3rdJuly 1st

Aug 5thSept 2nd

UpcomingFirst Ward Wednesdays

Our New Look!

Continued on page 5...

THE HOPE

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First Ward Neighborhood Association President’s Message(by Karie Greathouse)

I cannot express how excited I am to be sitting here typing this message. I have been working with Center City Partners for a couple of years to have the First Ward Neighborhood Association back up and running. I am so happy to see all of the work so many have put into this to make this project come alive! With so many changes and developments happening in our back yards, it is so wonderful to see so

many people just as excited as I am (if not more) to see this community coming together. It is my honor to introduce the first issue of “The Hope” - our newsletter named after the HUD Hope VI grant that made our neighborhood what it is today.

It is with great pleasure to see this neighborhood grow into something spectacular! I wanted to share a few facts about myself. First Ward has been my home since December 2002! My husband and I fell in love with First Ward and as our family has grown - 2 boys and 2 dogs to be exact; we are fortunate enough that this neighborhood offers wonderful homes in all sizes. My boys are 8 and 10 (in May) and attend Dilworth Elementary. As for our four-legged dogs Buster and Piper; they rule our front porch, backyard and the couch. I also own a real estate company and am a full time Realtor®. I love being active and I am 100% sure you have seen me running around!

Now onto news in the neighborhood! With so much taking place in our neighborhood it can be difficult to keep up! The park is well under way and I know that I am not the only one anxiously awaiting opening day. There will be a new charter school opening in First Ward and the light rail extension and street car work is going wonderfully. Thank you everyone for being patient with the street closures. Plus there are many more exciting developments to come - several of which are covered in this newsletter!

The new board is busy putting together so many wonderful events, activities, communications and more! I hope to meet so many of you during these great events and activities. I am excited to see this energy and passion build this already wonderful neighborhood into something bigger!

~Karie

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Managing Editor:Sarah McGraw

Graphic Designer:Sarah McGraw

Contributors:Megan GudeKarie GreathouseAlice HicksKatie Reed

Interested in helping with the next edition? Please email us at FirstWardCLT@gmail.com

The Hope Staff

President:Karie Greathouse

Vice President:Katie Reed

Secretaries:Sarah McGraw, Becky Hess

Treasurer:Alice Hicks

Social Chair:Johnny Wakefield

FWNA 2015 Board

Email:FirstWardCLT@gmail.com

Web:FirstWardCLT.com

Facebook:facebook.com/FirstWardCLT

Twitter:@FirstWardCLT

Next Door:FirstWardCLT.nextdoor.com

Stay Connected!

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There are many great things coming soon to First Ward, but all this construction can get a little messy. Here’s what we know about what’s happening and what street closures you can expect to see this summer:

First Ward Park

What is it? A new 4 acre public park across the street from ImaginOn

Done when?December 2015

Street closures?8th and 9th streets will be closed until at least June

Learn more: www.levineproperties.com and www.charmeck.org

Blue Line Extension

What is it? 9-mile extension of the light rail line north to UNCC, including a new station at 9th street

Done when?2017

Street closures?9th street between College and Brevard is closed at least until the end of June. Once 9th reopens, 7th street will close to car traffic for at least one month, maybe two. This will probably happen in late summer. Exact timing is unknown. The closure will affect car traffic but not pedestrians.

Learn more: www.charmeck.org/city/charlotte/charlottefuture/

Blue Line Capacity Expansion at 7th Street Station

What is it? Making the light rail platforms longer to accommodate 3-car trains

Done when?May 2015

Street closures?No street closures, but it will be a little messy at 7th Street Station. Expect some noise and construction on one side of the platform at a time. You’ll still be able to walk through, board trains, and get to the Rail Trail and 7th Street Public Market

Learn more: www.charmeck.org/city/charlotte/charlottefuture/

What’s with all this CONSTRUCTION?(by Megan Gude)

Support FWNA!First Ward Neighborhood Association is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by donations from neighbors like you. Your tax-deductible donations provide essential funding for these vital programs and events:

• First Ward Wednesdays• FWNA Website• The Hope Newsletter• Bulb Extravaganza (in planning)• And More...

Any donations are appreciated!

Please make checks out to FWNA and mail to:FWNA, 703 E. 9th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

First WardPhoto Gallery

We want to see your First Ward photos! Share on Twitter,

Facebook, or Instagram and use the hashtag:

We may use yours on one of the FirstWardCLT sites!

#FirstWardCLT

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at ImaginOn across 8th and up to the UNCC Center City building on 9th Street. Q: Can you tell us about some of your favorite features? What will be in the park? A: There will be a big green lawn, a garden walk area, and a terrace overlooking the park. For the younger set there will be an interactive fountain, and places to run and jump and play. There will be an outdoor chess board, flower beds, and places to sit in the shade.

The park will also have restrooms, an indoor flex space that can be used for events, and an outdoor dining area. Q: Will dogs be allowed in the park? A: Yes. They are required to be on leash and the owners are required to pick up after their dogs. This will be strictly enforced. Q: What will happen with Dixie’s Tavern? A: The building will be renovated top to bottom for a very exciting new use. Stay tuned for an announcement.

Q: Will there be any events in the park? A: Yes, both Park & Rec and Levine Properties are planning to organize regular programs and special events in the park. The events will be similar to the programming currently happening in Romare Bearden Park, with a focus on family activities and partnerships with ImaginOn and the 7th Street Public Market. Look for more information about these free programs and events after the park opens. For more pictures and plans of the park, visit www.parkandrec.com and search for First Ward Park.

First Ward Park, continued

Arbor Pool

Proposed Park Design

B-Cycle, B-What?(by Alice Hicks)

Spring has finally sprung and what better way to get around and enjoy all the many wonderful activities that Uptown has to offer than to utilize B-Cycle, Charlotte’s bicycle sharing program.

According to their website, “Charlotte B-cycle is one of the largest urban bike sharing systems in the Southeast.” They have 200 bikes spread among 24 stations, spanning neighborhoods from Johnson C. Smith University to Freedom Park. Several of those stations are in First Ward (UNCC Uptown campus, 7th Street Market, TWC Arena, and Tryon and 7th)

Cycling is a great way to get back in shape and stay there. According to Adultbicycling.com, there are many health benefits of cycling. It builds strength and muscle tone, builds stamina, improves cardiovascular health, burns calories, improves co-ordination, and reduces stress, just to name a few.

And B-Cycle provides members with an easy way to keep track of the health and other benefits. For every trip you take, they calculate miles ridden, calories burned, carbon offset, and money saved. B-Cycle also posts leaderboards, showing the top 10 in most miles, most trips, and most money saved.

First Ward resident Dee Willbee is an avid B-Cyclist and is currently number 6 on both the most miles and most money saved

leaderboards.

Says Willbee, “I sold my car in 2006 when I moved to Chicago...I haven’t owned a car since. When I moved

to Charlotte, I was unsure if I would

be able to continue that same lifestyle. I was

delighted to discover B-cycle - an affordable, convenient, and fun program! It has had such a positive impact on my life. I strongly believe B-cycle will continue to impact Charlotte’s physical and economic health for years to come!”

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Real Estate Update(By Karie Greathouse)

It’s spring and that means the time to sell and buy real estate. Being a neighbor, it is important to have an understanding regarding the real estate happenings in the neighborhood. Here is a look at the market in First Ward from January 1st through April 23rd:

Active listings: 10 active listingsAsking prices between $145,000-$525,000

Listings under contract:10 listings under contractAsking prices between $135,000-$649,900

Sold:9 homes soldPrices between $145,000- $269,900

Available rental homes: 5 active listingsAsking rental prices between $1,050-$1,950/month

Rental home applications:2 homes in applicationAsking rental prices between $1,050-$1,900/month

Homes rented:8 homes rentedMonthly rental prices between $1,299-$1,700

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Great schools make for great communities, and by that measure, First Ward is top-notch! Did you know that First Ward is zoned for some of the best schools in the city and the county? With Dilworth Elementary School, Alexander Graham Middle School, and Myers Park High School as our neighborhood schools for the 2014-15 School Year, our children are guaranteed access to a quality education.

In addition to our neighborhood schools, there are a number of nearby magnet schools run by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, or schools that draw from all around the city & county. These schools offer programs that are theme-based to promote students’ interests, abilities, and talents, and allow for parents to have educational options within the CMS system. Notably, First Ward Creative Arts Academy is located at 10th and Caldwell. If you are new to First Ward or need help in enrolling your child, contact Charlotte Mecklenburg

Schools’ Student Placement Department at 980-343-5335 to learn about all of your CMS options.

First Ward is also home to our long-standing neighbor, Trinity Episcopal, located on 9th Street between Alexander and McDowell. This private school focuses on the development of outstanding scholars who are grounded in a firm spiritual foundation and an enduring commitment to the richness of diversity. Tuition assistance options are available, including opportunity grants for middle-income families. For more information, visit www.tescharlotte.org.

Additionally, First Ward is home to a brand new, highly anticipated charter school - Charlotte Lab School - at 9th & Brevard. Charter schools are tuition-free, public school options run by independent boards. The Lab School Model has three core components: 1) Meaningful

Great School Options for First Ward Families(by Katie Reed)

So, how does it work? There are several types of memberships:

• Annual Membership: $65. First hour of each ride included. $4 per additional 30 minutes. Maximum $75/day.

• 5 month Student Membership: $15. First hour of each ride included. $4 per additional 30 minutes. Maximum $75/day.

• 6 month Seasonal Membership: $50. First 30 minutes of each ride included. $4 per additional 30 minutes. Maximum $75/day.

• 24 hour pass: $8. First 30 minutes of each ride included. $4 per additional 30 minutes. Maximum $75/day.

Go to www.charlotte.bcycle.com to find out more!

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Major Uptown Events: May - September 2015Look out for additional traffic and Park It! enforcement on these days.

May 21-23 Speed StreetJune 2 NKOTB with TLC and Nelly at TWC ArenaJune 6 Barry Manilow at TWC ArenaJune 8 Taylor Swift at TWC ArenaJune 11 Kenny Chesney at TWC ArenaJuly 4 Independence Day Fireworks Celebration at BB&T BallparkJuly 7 Imagine Dragons at TWC ArenaJuly 18 Sam Smith at TWC ArenaJuly 19 Shania Twain at TWC ArenaAug 29 Mötley Crüe at TWC Arena

Festivals & Free Events in Center CityMay 16 South End Hops FestivalMay 21-23 Speed StreetJune 12 Symphony in the Park at Romare Bearden ParkJune 26 Movie in the Park at Romare Bearden ParkJuly 24 Movie in the Park at Romare Bearden ParkAug 28 Movie in the Park at Romare Bearden ParkSept 18 Southern Sauce BBQ FestivalSept 25 Movie in the Park at Romare Bearden Park

For details and updated information on events, visit www.charlottecentercity.org

Learning: teaching through projects and real-world experiences; 2) Language Immersion: discovering unique perspectives, which emerge from learning another language; and 3) Advisory and Personalization: connecting with students and families on an individual basis.

Opening this fall for the 2015-16 school year, the Charlotte Lab School will serve 280 students in grades K through 4 in the first year and will grow to 540 students in grades K through 8. For more information, visit www.charlottelabschool.org.

First Ward Neighborhood Association703 E. 9th StreetCharlotte, NC 28202

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Great School Options, continued