Armed security coming to uptown parks (free version)
Plus: Long-serving federal judge retires; BofA economist says lower-income households are getting squeezed; Iron District and River District updates; 40 Over 40 nominees; ICE arrests
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, March 19, 2025. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Editor’s note: This is a shorter, free version of The Charlotte Ledger sent to people on our free sign-up list. The complete version for paying members went out 20 minutes ago. It included:
The complete article examining Mecklenburg County’s plan to place armed guards at several uptown parks and a greenway. Our Lindsey Banks was the only reporter at a meeting this week where the plan was discussed, and she gives our readers the scoop.
News that one of Charlotte’s longest-serving federal judges is stepping down.
An explanation from a Bank of America economist about the health of the economy, drawing on bank customer data. There’s some good news, but some caution signs, too, about where the economy might be heading.
Access to our Real Estate Whispers newsletter, with the latest on Charlotte’s growth and development trends and news — including updates on the River District and Iron District, plans for townhouses in University City and an expansion in SouthPark.
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Mecklenburg County plans to post armed security guards at 3 uptown parks and 1 greenway in response to crime and safety concerns; more guards could be coming
Multiple crimes and shootings have been reported at Romare Bearden Park (above) in uptown Charlotte over the past few years. It’s one of the Mecklenburg County parks that will be staffed with armed security guards starting in July.
by Lindsey Banks
Three uptown Charlotte parks and a section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Midtown will have armed security guards starting this summer to address safety concerns over increased crime at urban parks and greenways.
It’s the latest move to increase safety for park- and greenway-goers in areas where there have been widely publicized crimes in recent years.
Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter for The Ledger: lindsey@cltledger.com
Robert Conrad, long-serving Charlotte federal judge, is stepping down from the bench
Judge Robert Conrad, one of Charlotte’s most experienced federal judges, is stepping down from hearing cases.
A tale of two economies? High earners keep spending, while lower earners are getting squeezed, BofA economist says
Bank of America Institute senior economist David Tinsley discussed the latest trends from aggregated customer data in a talk last week at the monthly meeting of the Charlotte Economics Club, held at the Charlotte City Club uptown.
Consumers in Charlotte and across the country are navigating a shifting economy in different ways, with high-income earners continuing to spend while low-income households are pulling back, a Bank of America Institute economist said.
Speaking to a packed gathering of the Charlotte Economics Club last week, senior economist David Tinsley said that while pressures are mounting on low-income households in the form of higher food prices and slower wage growth, higher-income households are remaining resilient.
Related Ledger article:
“What lies ahead for the economy?” (Feb. 28)
➡️ Stick with The Charlotte Ledger for ongoing coverage of the changing economy.
Commercial Real Estate Whispers (now a newsletter!): Plan submitted for Iron District, Preview of River District construction, Ace No. 3 signs uptown lease, Innovation Park townhouses planned
In an edition published Tuesday as its own new standalone newsletter, paying Ledger members learned about:
New details on the layout of the Iron District
Toll Brothers offers details and renderings of its River District townhomes
The Sharon at SouthPark gets rezoning clearance to continue its expansion
Answering a reader question about construction at Park and Woodlawn roads in south Charlotte
Ace No. 3 signs a lease uptown
Builder files rezoning for townhouses at Innovation Park surface parking lots in University City
A round-up of other noteworthy news from other sources
Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers is our regular check-in on Charlotte growth and development, available exclusively to Ledger paying members. It provides an inside look at what developers and other real estate pros are buzzing about — including plenty of scoops you won’t find elsewhere.
📧 Now, experience Whispers as a newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. You can opt into it from your “Manage Your Subscription” page.
Introducing the 2025 Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Award nominees, Presented by U.S. Bank!
Today we invite you to check out the list of the Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Award nominees. Wow, do our judges have a task ahead of them!
These 135 talented and passionate Charlotteans are making their mark across the community in so many ways. They were nominated by friends or peers in a process that ended last month. Our panel of independent judges is reviewing the nominations, and we’ll honor the winners at a special event May 8 at Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, 1030 Woodward Ave., near the exciting Camp North End part of town. It will be an event not to be missed! (You’ll be hearing more about that in the coming weeks.)
The 40 Over 40 Awards season is our favorite part of the Ledger year, because it’s when we come together to celebrate the incredible contributions of people who are using the wisdom they’ve earned through the years to make Charlotte a better place.
We are incredibly grateful to our roster of first-class sponsors: U.S. Bank, Ducie Stark of Dickens Mitchener Residential Real Estate, By George Communications and Charlotte ToolBank. If you or your company would like to sponsor the awards, drop us a line and let us know.
Congratulations to the nominees!
Tickets to the big event are now on sale — get the early bird rate today!
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
THURSDAY: “Fly-Fishing Film Tour—F3T Charlotte,” 5-9:30 p.m., Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. Join Jesse Brown’s for a collection of short films covering fly-fishing from all over the United States to all over the world. Doors open at 5 p.m. with members of fly-fishing, conservation and advocacy groups, plus live music. The films start at 7 p.m. $25.
FRIDAY: “Senior Scholars Talk On Climate Change,” 10 a.m., Wolfe Hall, Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road. Global Warming: Scientists say it is a looming threat to mankind, while the Trump administration opposes any action. Professor Mark Kelso of Queens University of Charlotte will look at all sides of the issue! Free for members, or small guest donation.
MARCH 27: “Sustain Charlotte Connects: Shaping the future of mobility in Mecklenburg,” 6-8 p.m., Veterans Park Indoor Pavilion, 2136 Central Ave. Today, 29,000 Mecklenburg residents live within 1/4 mile of frequent public transit. Imagine the benefits if that number increased to 250,000. This is just one of the major improvements that we could experience from an updated CATS public transit plan! Join us for networking and discussion. Register today! $10.
APRIL 2: “Charlotte Area Chamber Business Expo 2025,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bojangles Coliseum. Don’t miss the chance to attend the 2025 Charlotte Area Chamber Business Expo! This event will bring together local businesses for Charlotte's Largest Area Business Tradeshow. Free to attend.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
In brief
24 ICE arrests in Charlotte: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested 24 immigrants who were in the country illegally in Charlotte during an “enhanced targeted enforcement operation” from March 1-8. It said the charges from those arrested included aggravated felonies, firearms offenses and DWI charges. ICE said it is looking for 18 more people who “pose a potential danger to the community.” (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Temporary train station: The N.C. Department of Transportation is considering building a temporary station for passenger trains uptown, as the city’s progress on the proposed Gateway Station remains stalled. NCDOT spent $85M realigning tracks for passenger trains to accommodate the planned station, but passengers still use the station on North Tryon Street. (Axios Charlotte)
N.C. State names former student body president as chancellor: Kevin Howell, chief external affairs officer for UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health, was named chancellor of N.C. State. Howell, a Shelby native, was student body president at N.C. State before graduating in 1988. (WRAL)
From uptown to Ballantyne: Accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen is moving its Charlotte office from uptown to Ballantyne. The firm, now located in the Carillon building on Trade Street uptown, will take 50,000 s.f. in Ballantyne Village. (Biz Journal, subscriber-only)
AvidXchange for sale? Charlotte-based financial technology company AvidXchange is considering a potential sale, unnamed sources told Bloomberg News. It had been approached by prospective buyers, including private equity firms, the sources said. (Biz Journal, subscriber-only)
Birkdale expansion approved: Huntersville commissioners approved a rezoning on Tuesday that will allow Birkdale Village to add a seven-story office building, 150 apartments and a 125-room hotel. (Axios Charlotte)
Library upgrade closures: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branches and book drops will temporarily close in April as the system upgrades its software, with services gradually shutting down from April 1 and all branches closing from April 18 to April 22. Digital library resources like Libby and Hoopla will remain accessible, and full operations are set to resume by May 5. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library)
Wells consent order: Wells Fargo said it closed a fifth consent order with banking regulators, with three more existing orders stemming from a fake accounts scandal. The move brings the bank closer to ending regulatory troubles. (Reuters)
Pizza place has new owner: After announcing on Monday that it has “served its last pizza this Sunday night,” Luisa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria clarified on Tuesday that it will continue serving pizza under new ownership. It opened off Montford Drive near Park Road Shopping Center in 1991. (Observer)
In memoriam: Marshall Rauch, a Jewish World War II U.S. Army veteran who served in the N.C. senate for 24 years and ran a Gastonia company that was once one of the world’s largest maker of Christmas ornaments, died at age 102, his family said Tuesday. Writer Jeremy Markovich examined Rauch’s life in a 2016 article in Our State magazine.
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