City of Charlotte

Controversial Street Preacher Loses Case Against Charlotte

Julie Rose — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:33:25 +0000

A federal judge has cleared the city of Charlotte in a lawsuit brought by controversial Concord preacher Flip Benham and his group "Operation Save America," which demonstrates frequently across the country against abortion and homosexuality.

Reverend Flip Benham has a big voice, but he's spent seven years fighting the city of Charlotte for the ability to be louder. City ordinance requires demonstrators to stay under 75 decibels when using speakers and amplifiers on public sidewalks.

Lots Of Fiction Going Around In Charlotte Airport Debate

Julie Rose — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:17:51 +0000

The City of Charlotte is scrambling to keep its grasp on Charlotte Douglas International Airport as a group of state lawmakers and influential local figures move to create a regional authority that would oversee the airport. The city's latest tactic involves sending regular emails to the media to set the record straight on various claims made by airport authority backers. But sometimes even the fact check needs a fact check.

Panthers Stadium Funding Measure Clears State House

Julie Rose — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:00:49 +0000

A funding plan for Bank of America Stadium renovations has cleared the state House. On Wednesday afternoon, Representative Ruth Samuelson's measure passed with little debate.

Charlotte Offers Compromise Tax For Panthers, Amateur Sports

Julie Rose — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:00:05 +0000

Charlotte is up to bat again in Raleigh tomorrow on its other big legislative battle – this one to get approval for a tax hike that would help renovate Bank of America Stadium. Lawmakers balked at the city's initial request to double the local restaurant tax for a period of 30 years. Now the city is offering a compromise.

Charlotte Offers New Incentive To Build Affordable Housing

Julie Rose — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:13:04 +0000

City leaders believe Charlotte has a shortage of housing that's affordable to families making less than $54,000 a year. Monday night, the city council is expected to approve a new zoning ordinance aimed at changing that. WFAE's Julie Rose reports:

As Panthers Seek A Cut, A City Sales Tax Primer

Julie Rose — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:10:00 +0000

The Carolina Panthers say their 17- year old stadium needs an upgrade and they want taxpayers to pitch in. City of Charlotte officials are busy negotiating behind closed doors to come up with as much as half of the $250 million renovation. They're reportedly looking at doubling the city's tax on prepared foods, such as meals in restaurants. That's not the only local tax Charlotte has used to fund big projects in the past. We asked WFAE's Julie Rose to sort out the sales taxes Charlotte has access to, as this debate over upgrading Bank of America stadium unfolds.

In State Of City Address, Foxx Pushes For Streetcar

Tasnim Shamma — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:12:55 +0000

Mayor Anthony Foxx says the city needs to focus on getting the streetcar and nearly $1 billion capital budget plan approved in order to create more economic opportunities and see Charlotte grow in the future. He spoke at the City Council chamber on Monday morning in an annual state of the city address.

Interest Brewing For Vacant Eastland Mall

Julie Rose — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:59:03 +0000

Charlotte taxpayers may not know it, but they own a mall. The city bought Eastland Mall back in August for $13 million. When it opened in 1975, it was the largest mall in North Carolina. Then came a decade of steady decline. By 2010 it was completely vacant. WFAE's Julie Rose reports on the latest effort to bring Eastland Mall back to life.

Uptown Baseball Stadium Now Clear Of Lawsuits

Julie Rose — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:25:57 +0000

The Charlotte Knights baseball stadium now under construction Uptown nearly didn't happen because of Jerry Reese. He's a local attorney who filed a series of lawsuits to block the stadium deal just as the recession hit and funding for the project became harder to find. Reese has now agreed stop fighting the stadium in court.

Jerry Reese is not against having a baseball stadium Uptown – he just thinks it should be for a Major League team, rather than a Minor League one like the Charlotte Knights.

Charlotte Chamber Makes Up For Scrapped London Trip, Heads to NYC

Julie Rose — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:51:12 +0000

Half the Charlotte City Council, the mayor and a couple of Mecklenburg County Commissioners are headed to New York City Monday for the Charlotte Chamber’s Inter City visit.

The Charlotte Chamber’s annual trip to another city is typically a rite of spring. But back in May, airplane problems made most participants miss their flight for a scheduled visit to London.

“New York was our second choice,” says Charlotte Chamber President Bob Morgan. So that’s where he’s headed Tuesday with about 100 local business leaders and public officials.