Queens Park: Achieving a Vision for Charlotte's North End

Video Summary: The Friends of Queens Park engaged a virtual ULI Advisory Services panel to explore possibilities for open space in Charlotte’s North End. The organization presented a vision for an iconic urban park, Queens Park, to be located in place of an existing railyard north of Charlotte’s uptown area. Their proposal includes amenities such as a flexible great lawn, a cultural/arts area, and a natural area with a pond and biodiverse native plants. 

Having built support amongst community members in Charlotte for the Queens Park vision, the Friends of Queens Park sought an Advisory Services panel to help make the park a reality. The organization, seeking to expand the amount of green space and improve neighborhood connectivity in Charlotte, posed questions about effectively engaging with the railyard stakeholders and City and County officials to bring Queens Park to life. 

The panel was asked to evaluate the possibilities for gaining formal adoption by the City and County for the Queens Park vision, finding an alternative site to relocate the proposed expansion of the CATS (city transit) maintenance facility, collaborating with Norfolk Southern to acquire and relocate the existing railyard through a mutually beneficial partnership, and building support for incremental growth in park space in the North End.