Springboard

Jul 24

On TV

Posted by AG under: Economic development; Noteworthy.

TV coverage of Action Greensboro’s field trip to Charlotte.

Time Warner Cable News 14

WBTV

Banker’s notes

Posted by AG under: Downtown; Economic development; Jobs.

Lunch with the legendary Hugh McColl is not to be missed. After all, he turned NCNB into Bank of America. McColl spoke to those on Action Greensboro’s field trip to Charlotte Tuesday, and it’s a safe bet that there’s no bigger proponent — anywhere — of making downtowns vibrant.

Some of his observations:

• The center city is what brings together citizens of all socio-economic groups. Have something for everyone, he urges. An opera house on one corner and a Hooters across the street. It’s all good.

• A 24-hour city attracts talent. “If we want to attract the brightest and the best,” McColl says, “we have to have a vital center city.” Virtually no one lived in downtown Charlotte 35 years ago. Now tens of thousands of citizens reside in uptown Charlotte.

• Concentrate assets downtown. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, now under construction, is downtown for a reason. So are three performing arts centers. So is the new Mint Museum of Craft + Design. So is Johnson & Wales University, the culinary school Charlotte lured away from Charleston. Success breeds success.

• Be proud to pay high wages. McColl mentioned one of his current ventures, which occupies the 54th floor of Bank of America Corporate Center. McColl Partners employs dozens of young professionals, and he says he’s glad to pay six-figure salaries. “They make a lot of money for me,” he says. Virtually all live in uptown Charlotte.

• Always look at least 50 years down the road. Twenty-five years = shortsighted vision. Plan and execute. Don’t back up.

Greensboro can’t be, doesn’t want to be, Charlotte. But we can learn a lot from our sister city to the south.

Greensboro City Councilwoman Goldie Wells chats with Hugh McColl.

Jul 23

Secrets of success

Posted by AG under: Economic development.

Charlotte pulled together a bunch of heavy-hitters to meet with Action Greensboro visitors Tuesday. Among them were the managers of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County as well as Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Jennifer Roberts and Susan Burgess, who serves on the city council. (If you visit those links, note that city and county share a Web site, CharMeck.org.)

Also on hand: former Greensboro City Manager Bill Carstarphen, who handles government relations for the Charlotte Area Transit System and LYNX, the light rail system.

There was lots to impress us, but most stunning was this: Charlotte and Mecklenburg elected officials and public servants appear to respect one another. Even when they disagree.

City and county staff communicate regularly. Formally and informally. They say they have different responsibilities, but one goal: to serve the public and move Charlotte-Mecklenburg forward.

Sibling rivalries are out. Cooperation is in.

Stunning.

Field trip

Posted by AG under: Community; Downtown; Economic development.

Two busloads of Greensboro and Guilford County folks visited Charlotte Tuesday. The mission of this Action Greensboro field trip: to learn how Charlotte has leveraged public-private partnerships to make the sensational improvements downtown.

First stop: LYNX, the brand spanking new light-rail line. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who has deep Guilford County roots, was on hand to welcome the crowd. Below: McCrory chats with Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson at a park-and-ride station.

The most impressive thing about Charlotte’s first light-rail installation: ridership is running 67 percent ahead of projections. More cars have been ordered.

Greensboro visitors filled an entire LYNX car.

Arriving in uptown (downtown) Charlotte.

Jul 17

The outdoor life

Posted by AG under: Economic development; Jobs; Urban livability.

We were on a flight from Detroit to Greensboro, with a seatmate from Nebraska. He was headed to a U.S. Department of Agriculture rural economic development seminar here. It was his first trip to North Carolina.

So we explained our geography to him. Center of the state, an easy drive to the coast and the mountains, yada yada yada. He said he was a bow hunter and had spent a week floating a river in Alaska. Saw one moose, but his arrow never left the quiver.

So we mentioned that Greensboro residents can be kayaking on the Dan River in 40 minutes or hiking the Uwharrie National Forest in about an hour. The Blue Ridge is an easy afternoon excursion.

Wow, he said. You know, that would really appeal to a lot of people, especially young professionals who crave outdoor activities. They love that kind of stuff.

Excellent, we thought. Action Greensboro’s plan is on the right track.