Putting Make it Charlotte on the Map: Innovating use for main level urban space

Lindsey Haaser Braciale and Jason Wolf contemplated the best use for 3,600 square feet of main level retail space in the uptown (city) of Charlotte, North Carolina. Their non-profit, Make It Charlotte, had the goal increasing opportunities of upward economic mobilities for members of the Charlotte community. In a 2014 study by Harvard/UC Berkeley , Charlotte was ranked 50 out of 50 in large metropolitan areas for upward economic mobility. The space under consideration was close to many highly frequented and populated uptown locations, including the main business center, the Convention Center, and the Spectrum Center. In addition, the space was either connected to or nearby other space owned by Jason Wolf, creating the potential for synergies. They desired to be creative with the space while also supporting Make it Charlotte’s goals and the community. What was the answer? Chair: Richard Peters, rpeters1@xula.edu Discussant: W Frank Thompson, wfthompson@troy.edu Discussant: Paul Olsen, polsen@smcvt.edu Scribe: David Stehlik, dstehlik@sf.edu