CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL - Charlotte, North Carolina · Place Mall Romare Bearden ... Carolina . Line....

CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL

The City of Charlotte is partnering with Mecklenburg County to build a 26-mile trail and greenway system that will stretch from Pineville, through uptown Charlotte, and on to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus and the Cabarrus County line.

Called the Cross Charlotte Trail, when complete, people will be able to use this trail to travel continuously across the city and county to connect with many destinations including parks, employment and retail centers, neighborhoods and more.

About 98,000 jobs and 80,000 residents currently are within a half-mile of the proposed trail route. As Charlotte-Mecklenburg has grown, so has residents’ demand for greater connectivity through an expanded transportation-by-trail network within our community.

City and county leaders have long advocated the far-reaching benefits of investing in trail infrastructure. In 2014, residents demonstrated their strong support for an extensive new trail system by approving the first $5 million in City bonds to begin development of the Cross Charlotte Trail.

THE CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL master plan provides planning,

design and phasing guidance to create a signature alternative

transportation and recreation network that WILL DELIVER

LONG-TERM ECONOMIC, QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPROVEMENTS to our entire community.

ABOUT THE MASTER PLAN

ABOUT THE MASTER PLAN

Freedom Park

South Park Mall

Park Road Park

Metropolitan

Park Road Shopping CenterCarolinaPavillionPolk Historic

Site

CarolinaPlace Mall

Romare Bearden Park

MYERS PARK

PINEVILLE

MIDTOWN

DILWORTH

SOUTH END

CHERRY

SEDGEFIELD

WILMORE

South Carolina Line

The master plan focuses on how to best bring the Cross

Charlotte Trail vision to life. It delves deeply into developing

a vibrant middle portion of the route, between the existing

Little Sugar Creek Greenway and the planned Toby Creek

Greenway in the Autumnwood neighborhood. The plan

identifies the primary alignment for the Cross Charlotte

Trail. It recommends design guidelines that will create a

high-quality trail system that provides a comfortable, safe

and welcoming experience and accommodates users of all

ages and abilities. Also addressing how to create attractive

new places along the trail that will become destinations

for people to gather, and ultimately add a unique range of

outdoor experiences throughout our city.

THE CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL?

The Cross Charlotte Trail spans the city limits as

a central spine of the 15-county Carolina Thread

Trail. It will connect three major existing greenway

systems, including Little Sugar Creek, Toby Creek

and Mallard Creek greenways.

Cordelia Park

CPCC

Suga Creek Park

UNCC

PNC Music PavilionEastway Community Park

Brightwalk

NC Music Factory

NODAUNIVERSITY CITY

NODA

UPTOWNNORTH END

BELMONTPLAZA MIDWOOD

SHAMROCK

TRYON HILLSOPTIMIST PARK

DRUID HILLS

DOUBLE OAKS

AUTUMNWOOD

ar

Cabarrus County

Line

THE CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL?

GOALS FOR THE TRAIL

TRANSPORTATIONProvide a separated trail that

accommodates commuter and

recreational users. Create a direct

and accessible route that connects to

larger trail and transportation networks

as well as major employment and

neighborhood destinations.

USER EXPERIENCEFully separate the trail from motor

vehicle traffic. Create a continuous,

coherent trail design without abrupt

changes in the type of path over short

distances.

EQUITY/ACCESS FOR ALLProvide access to a diverse group of

residents, including those in existing

neighborhoods who use public

transportation or don’t own cars.

Create a trail that users of all ages feel

comfortable travelling on.

PLACEMAKINGCreate attractive places along the

trail that become popular gathering

destinations.

PUBLIC SUPPORTAsk for and incorporate residents’ input

to identify a preferred trail alignment

that can be supported and funded

largely with public bonds.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTIdentify areas for trail-oriented

development. Property near the trail

route will experience increased real

estate value by linking people to

employment and other centers of

activity.

FEASIBILITYAlign the trail using locations that are

currently ready for use and without

complex permitting approvals. Minimize

the trail’s impact on surrounding

environmental features and habitats,

without compromising the trail quality.

SEGMENT 1 7th Street to Matheson AvenuePreferred Alignment A

SEGMENT 2 Matheson Avenue to Sugar Creek RoadPreferred Alignment C

A B

The Cross Charlotte Trail is expected to generate significant value for existing real estate, unlock opportunities for new development and support Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s economic development goals in affected neighborhoods.

• Separating the study area into four segments that allowed a comparative analysis.

• A variety of existing and future conditions in four large segments the potential trail path will follow.

• Current and planned land uses to identify key intersections and destinations that could be enhanced by being close to the trail.

• Areas that could attract investment by creating a destination, improved connections to the trail, adding green space or building on existing amenities.

• Robust qualitative community input on trail preferences and priorities.

• This resulted in three alignments for consideration.

ALIGNMENTS, INPUTS AND IMPACTS

A comprehensive analysis of the study area included:

SEGMENT 2 Matheson Avenue to Sugar Creek RoadPreferred Alignment C

SEGMENT 3 Sugar Creek Road to Old Concord RoadPreferred Alignment A and B

SEGMENT 4 Old Concord Road to Toby Creek GreenwayPreferred Alignment A

C

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPERIENCE?

Restaurants#1

Public Art#2

Gathering Spaces#3

Retail#4

Disc Golf

Putting Green

Game &

EntertainmentPlaygroundDog Park Community

Garden

Entertainment

Venues

*Results from the X public meeting.

Other Requested Experiences

“Making entertainment and exercise ACCESSIBLE to residents and getting us outside and enjoying the beauty of our city will DEFINITELY ENHANCE OUR LIFESTYLE.”Public Meeting ParticipantJune 30, 2015

Segment Results Goal

SEGMENT 1 7th Street to

Matheson Avenue

• Options A & C tied for the highest ranking in this segment

• Strong public support and user experience scores for option A; strong economic development, transportation and equity scores for option C

• Option B is most suited to be built as a part of other city projects

SEGMENT 2 Matheson Avenue to

Sugar Creek Road

• Option A ranked highest with the best proximity to re-development opportunities

• Option B ranked second, in part due to low score for user experience

• Option C ranked last due to feasibility challenges

SEGMENT 3 Sugar Creek Road to

Old Concord Road

• Option A ranked highest for the capacity to deliver access to the most people without cars, with lower incomes and public transportation needs

SEGMENT 4 Old Concord Road to Toby Creek Greenway

• Options A & B tied for top rank

• Challenges exist with A & B options: Tryon St. crossing and costly railroad crossing

Public Support

User Experience

Equity

Transportation

Public Support

Economic Development



The recommended alignment for the middle section of the Cross Charlotte Trail is illustrated on these two pages. The Trail is located in an area that the City of Charlotte has invested in through initiatives such as the Applied Innovation Corridor, Northeast Corridor Infrastructure plan and the Blue Line Light Rail extension. The recommended alignment enables people to make connections with nearly 50 existing destinations and easy

access to bicycle and pedestrian paths, parks, schools and more. Connections to Uptown Charlotte and NoDa were both high priorities to the community with significant economic benefits to Charlotte. The recommended alignment recognizes these connections by creating the ‘Uptown Loop’ and the ‘NoDa Loop’ trail.

RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT AND CONNECTIONS

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Existing Greenway

Greenway Concept Plan

Existing 100 Year Floodplain

0 400 800 1,200 1,600200Feet

CROSS-CHARLOTTE MULTI-USE TRAIL

ALTERNATI VE AL IG NMENTSUPTOWN CHARLOTTE TO SUGAR CREEK ROAD

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The recommended alignment for the middle section follows the existing Little Sugar Creek Greenway through Cordelia Park and continues along LSC until crossing over Matheson Avenue Bridge where it again follows Little Sugar Creek on the north side of the BLE. The alignment travels through established residential communities as well as large potential redevelopment areas along E Sugar Creek Road, connecting these existing and future destinations to the Trail. MLK Jr. Middle School becomes a key destination and potential trailhead along the alignment. The south loop and main trail meet at Old Concord Road and the alignment follows Toby Creek and connects to the planned Toby Creek Greenway and eventually to UNC-Charlotte.

Alignment C, or the ‘South Loop’, which follows the AC&W Spur Line also scored favorably for meeting the project goals of user experience and connectivity. However, land acquisition and the abandonment of the AC&W Spur Line make the south loop a long-term option that can be pursued over time.

RECOMMENDED MAIN ALIGNMENT RECOMMENDED SECONDARY CONNECTIONS

CENTRAL AVENUE STUDY AREA

A ribbon of small parks would anchor the Trail through this area. Public art and community gathering spaces will enhance the places people can go by walking or bicycling.

A closer look at each segment of the trail shows

EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES for trail-oriented living,

retail and dining, and CREATING INVITING PUBLIC/PRIVATE

OPEN SPACES AND GATHERING PLACES.

THE GREAT PLACES WE CAN GO

THE HIVE OVERLOOKVIEW OF CITY

CENTRAL AVENUE OVERLOOK PARK

CENTRAL AVENUE7th STREET

I277

SUGAR CREEK STUDY AREA

The Trail should be an integral part in the redevelopment of this area. Reusing and repurposing the industrial elements in this area will create a unique character of place. The Trail alignment will bring these spaces to life with an attractive small park feel.

N TRYON

SUGAR CREEK STATION

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The Cross Charlotte Trail is planned to be a shared-use trail system. It will be a transportation corridor and linear park for walking, bicycling and running. Primary goals for the Cross Charlotte Trail include building a trail which separates bicyclists and pedestrians to reduce user conflict and a trail separated from motor vehicle traffic to the extent possible.

Three distinct types of shared use trail configurations will be used, depending on space and other constraints. Pavement markings and wayfinding elements also will be located throughout existing and new segments of trail. These promote user safety and help deliver the desired continuity people want to experience from the trail system.

NEW WAYS TO TRAVEL

Buffered Separated-Use PathThis is the preferred section for the Cross Charlotte Trail and is recommended as the default facility unless a spatial constraint exists that cannot be overcome.

• A 5-foot minimum buffer separates pedestrian and bicycle paths to create a safe experience for all users.

• A 12-foot two-way bike path is directionally separated by a dashed white centerline.

• A 8-foot pedestrian path is provided

Separated-Use PathA separated use path should be used where spatial constraints exist along the Trail that cannot be overcome; the buffer between the uses may be narrowed or removed but still provide separation of uses and directional separation of bicyclists via centerlines.

Shared-Use PathShared-use paths should be used where adjacent uses or features constrain the Trail to the minimum width. Pavement markings and signage should be used to provide visual continuity of the Trail and provide directional separation to enhance usability and safety.

8’

8’

5’

35’ Trail Clear Zone

12’

12’

*Trail Zone includes 5’ trail buffer on each side.



Creating a consistent, unifying character for the entire trail is a central component of the Cross Charlotte Trail master plan. Important design principles will guide how the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County will begin to establish a continuity of place along the corridor. These principles will also help people identify a clear trail route, promote equal and easy access to the trail, and enhance comfort and safety.

Building on the successful elements that define the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, the design elements will tie together existing and future sections. Important tools include:

• Wayfinding Elements

• Hardscape Materials

• Pavement and Surface Markings

• Intersections

• Gateways

• Plantings

• Site Furnishings

• Art

NEW WAYS TO TRAVEL

The Cross Charlotte Trail will require viable plans for both capital and operating funding to reach its potential as a valuable community asset.

Capital funding will cover construction of the trail itself, as well as neighborhood-connecting paths, bridges and the variety of permanent amenities incorporated along the Trail.

Operating funding is required for maintenance, recreational programs offered along the trail, and for the governing entity that manages and deploys the funds. Creating a world-class trail will require targeted and creative application of resources from public and private partners.

The City of Charlotte will request voter approval of public improvement bonds to help fund the Cross Charlotte Trail. Since bond issues will not cover all capital costs

of the trail, additional resources will be required. As a citywide transportation and an open-space recreational amenity, several potential funding sources for the capital costs exist and are explored in the master plan.

Generally, public funding will be necessary for the major infrastructure investments and primary lengths of this trail. Public-private models can facilitate connections and specific amenities.

Mecklenburg County will assume responsibility for funding ongoing operations and maintenance. Success of the Cross Charlotte Trail depends on it being a well-maintained facility, with well-designed and executed programming. Any financial plan must carefully consider operating funding requirements. Sources and strategies for filling operating funding gaps are detailed further in the master plan.

SEGMENT 1 7th Street to Matheson

SEGMENT 2 Matheson to Sugar Creek

SEGMENT 3 Sugar Creek Road to Old Concord Road

PHASES AND FUNDING FOR SUCCESS

The sheer length of the Cross Charlotte Trail and funding gaps will require a phased approach to building the trail.

Each of the four segments in this master plan study have different real estate characteristics. Beginning implementation in segments with strong development potential can best enhance funding streams and private partner contributions.

Early completion of the trail segments that span from 7th Street to Sugar Creek Road in the middle of the trail corridor, as well as the area from Brandywine to Tyvola Road in the southern portion, can demonstrate a strong benefit to the community and local real estate community. These areas, combined with existing greenways will create a length of the Cross Charlotte Trail that stretches from South Carolina to the Matheson Avenue area.

The City must strategically focus on implementing priority segments of the trail to build momentum and garner support for subsequent phases and the associated public and private funding requests.

SEGMENT 4 Old Concord Road to Toby Creek Greenway

EXISTING Toby Creek Greenway

PHASING APPROACH

“I think THE CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL WILL BE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY for charlotteans to connect to not only nature and the recreational aspects but to some of our cultural sites as well.”

Public Meeting ParticipantBrandywine To Tyvola Public Meeting January 27, 2015

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CROSS CHARLOTTE TRAIL - Charlotte, North Carolina · Place Mall Romare Bearden ... Carolina . Line....

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