Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021
This summer’s spike of COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant dealt another blow to our already struggling businesses. A return to normal still feels a ways off for many of Charlotte’s business districts.
Uptown went from being a total ghost town at the beginning of the pandemic, to now seeing a trickle of office workers back in center city. But many office towers have not returned to full capacity, and major employers continue to delay a full return to the office.
How much longer can the uptown ecosystem sustain this kind of uncertainty? What will a full recovery look like for uptown?
We’ll check in on the state of center city.
Guests
Michael Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners
Ely Portillo, assistant director of outreach & strategic partnerships at UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute
Heath Campbell, president, Charlotte, Metrolina region at Truist
Paul Manley, owner of Sea Level NC in uptown Charlotte, The Waterman Fish Bar in SouthEnd, and ACE No. 3, a burger spot in the Belmont neighborhood. Manley is the owner of High Tide Hospitality, a Charlotte-based restaurant group.