Free to good home: 40-foot-tall light-up skyscraper artwork
Free to good home: 40-foot-tall light-up skyscraper artwork
Plus: New airport security checkpoint set to open as passenger numbers surge; Porsche dealership for Northlake?; Legacy Union proposes big electronic signs; Plaza-Midwood social district vote tonight
Good morning! Today is Monday, October 23, 2023. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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As Duke Energy prepares to take ‘Quadrille’ down from its former building on South Church Street, the company asks Ledger readers for help finding it a new place to shine
“Quadrille” has shined on South Church Street since 1996, but it will be coming down next weekend as the building’s new owner has plans to redevelop the site into a mixed-use project. (Photo courtesy of Duke Energy)
by Cristina Bolling
Sometime next weekend, workers will remove a massive 40-foot-by-40-foot multimedia light sculpture that for 27 years has illuminated the corner of South Church Street from the side of the former Duke Energy building near Bank of America Stadium.
The art piece, called “Quadrille,” is a Charlotte landmark whose future is hanging in the balance. The former Duke Energy building is on the cusp of being redeveloped by its new owners, and Duke Energy is asking Ledger readers for help.
Company officials have reached out to a multitude of local organizations and businesses, offering the artwork for free, but so far there have been no takers, said Madison McDonald, a Duke Energy spokesperson.
So they’re appealing to the public, starting with Ledger readers, who as we know are creative, curious and well-connected. Those with leads can email them to Duke Energy at DEPLaza@duke-energy.com . (Duke Energy officials note that they’ve already engaged with Foundation for the Carolinas, the Arts & Science Council and Charlotte Center City Partners, so don’t bother suggesting those organizations.)
“I think our hope is just to see this live on somewhere, ideally in the Charlotte area,” McDonald said, adding that the company would be OK with it going outside of Charlotte, as long as it can continue to be enjoyed by the public.
Last December, the building “Quadrille” decorates was sold to Washington, D.C.-based MRP Realty for $35M. MRP Realty plans to convert the 13-story office building into 450 apartments with ground-floor retail, the company told the Charlotte Business Journal last year.
Moving “Quadrille” to Duke Energy’s new headquarters on South Tryon Street isn’t an option because the tower’s glass sides can’t accommodate the 15,000 lb. weight of the piece, McDonald said.
It will likely need some refurbishment, and it will come off the former Duke Energy building in four quadrants. It’ll come complete with blueprint information for a new owner who might need guidance on reassembly, or to make electrical fixes to get it shining in its new location.
Debut timed for kickoff: “Quadrille” was unveiled on Aug. 31, 1996, just in time for the Carolina Panthers’ first regular season game in what was then Ericsson Stadium, according to Charlotte Observer archives.
It was created by California artist Michael Hayden, who’s best known for the light display called “Sky’s The Limit” he designed along a walkway in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. (If you’ve been through O’Hare, you can surely picture it.)
McDonald said Duke Energy has reached out to O’Hare airport officials but hasn’t heard back.
“Quadrille” uses more than 1,000 feet of Plexineon colors and was programmed so that commuters never see the same sequence at the same time. In an Observer article published shortly after the unveiling, Hayden called the work “a visual dance.” In 2011, the artwork’s neon tubes were replaced by LED lights.
Free shipping — if you act fast: With less than a week left until “Quadrille” comes down, time is of the essence in finding a new home. If the right location doesn’t materialize before decommission day, crews will load it onto a flatbed truck and move it to Duke Energy’s operation center in Maiden, 35 miles northwest of Charlotte.
If they’re able to find a taker that can accommodate it as soon as it is taken down, Duke Energy will foot the bill for the transportation cost. (If a taker comes forward after it is taken to Maiden, however, the new owner will have to pay for transport.)
Christopher S. Lawing of the Charlotte Signs Project, who has amassed a vast collection of signs from different eras and places in Charlotte’s history, called “Quadrille” “the garnish on the uptown buildings prior to all of the LED lighting they have now.”
Lawing said the artwork “had an other-world energy about it,” and for so many years it was a landmark that signaled time and place. Alas, he said he lacks the storage space to add a piece of “Quadrille’s” size to his collection.
Got an idea? If you have an idea about where “Quadrille’s” next stop should be — check with your homeowner’s association first if you want it for the side of your house (yes, that’s a joke) — email Duke Energy. Feel free to send your idea to The Ledger, too.
McDonald said Duke Energy is open to donating the piece to any organization that will allow it to be seen by the public in an appropriate setting. (No rage rooms, for instance, where it would be destroyed, she said.)
“It’s iconic. It was a symbol of growth and prosperity here,” McDonald said. “Probably the biggest characteristic of the piece is the sheer size of it. From the ground, you look up and you think it’s a dainty light sculpture. But up close and personal, you realize how big it is.”
Cristina Bolling is managing editor of The Ledger: cristina@cltledger.com
Related Ledger article:
“The fate of Duke's 'Quadrille' artwork” (May 11, 2022)
Today’s supporting sponsor is Landon A. Dunn, attorney-at-law in Matthews:
Charlotte airport’s high-tech ‘Checkpoint 1’ to be open by end of October; Record-setting passenger numbers in 2023, queen returns
Charlotte Douglas International Airport appears poised to complete three major projects in advance of the Thanksgiving travel period, as its signature statue of Queen Charlotte is now inside the terminal, while an expanded lobby area and a modern new security checkpoint are set to open.
Additionally, the airport expects that 2023 will produce its highest-ever passenger count, exceeding the 2019 total of 50.2 million passengers. Through August, the passenger count was about 5% higher than it was in 2019, and summer travel was about 8% higher. In 2022, Charlotte Douglas was the 10th-busiest U.S. airport with 47.8 million passengers. That ranking is unlikely to rise as traffic at most major airports has increased this year.
Queen Charlotte now towers about 45 feet over the airport’s ticketing area. Her statue was unveiled Friday morning. “We’re excited to put the queen back in her home and have her watch over (passengers),” Jack Christine, the airport’s chief infrastructure officer, told reporters.
Dedicated in 1990, the 3,000-pound statue had been outside the terminal until 2019, when it was taken down to enable parking deck construction and its own refurbishing.
All hail the queen: Queen Charlotte returns to preside over Charlotte’s airport lobby. A fixture at the airport since 1990, she was unveiled in her new spot on Friday. Queen Charlotte came from Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a duchy in Northern Germany. She was queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and the wife of George III, from 1761 until 1818. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte Douglas International Airport)
The statue is the centerpiece of a new pre-security lobby area called “Queen’s Court,” which will include seating, food purchase options and an airport history display area. A portrait of former Charlotte Mayor Ben Douglas, for whom the airport is named, was visible Friday. So far, there is no portrait of Jerry Orr, the former aviation director who oversaw the airport’s growth into a major hub.
The statue’s unveiling is a key step in the $608M lobby renovation, scheduled for completion in 2025. The original lobby was built in 1982, when the airport served about 3 million passengers and American Airlines predecessor Piedmont Airlines was the airport’s primary carrier. By the end of October, about 90,000 s.f. of additional space will open on the east side of the airport.
Meanwhile, the modernistic new checkpoint, designated “Checkpoint 1,” is expected to open by the end of the month and the renovations will close Checkpoint D. Checkpoint 1 will have eight “high-capacity” lanes to screen departing passengers. It replaces Checkpoint B, which was closed in March for an upgrade, and it will offer the most direct access to Concourses A and B, although all checkpoints will continue to provide access to all concourses. Eventually, the airport will have three checkpoints, all with numerical designations. The checkpoints provide access to 21 security lanes including four PreCheck lanes at Checkpoint C. About 6.5 million passengers originate in Charlotte annually.
Checkpoint One has the latest security technology and conveniences. Notably, passengers can place their bags in bins on the conveyor belt without necessarily waiting for each person in front of them in line. Thus, the race to clear security will be to the swift.
Additionally, rather than have TSA agents scan each bag at each belt, bags will be scanned remotely from a nearby office. Bags that raise questions will be automatically routed to agents via a separate belt. The new technology is already in use at about two dozen airports: Charlotte’s conversion was timed to coincide with terminal construction. —Ted Reed
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How local stocks of note fared last week (through Friday’s close), and year to date:
Struggling Northlake Mall looks like it’s about to get a Porsche dealership nearby
Sure, you’ve heard about the struggles of Northlake Mall, as retailers such as Apple and American Eagle pull out.
But you probably haven’t heard that a new Porsche dealership looks as though it’s about to be built right next to Northlake Mall.
According to city and county records, Mills Automotive Group — which owns Classic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of South Charlotte — has received a building permit for a project called “Porsche N. Charlotte” at 10046 North Lake Centre Parkway on a 17-acre parcel just down the street from the mall, by the intersection of I-77 and I-485 in northern Charlotte.
City records list the site as “Mills Northlake” and say it’s an “auto dealership and service center.”
The Mills executive listed on the permits, Jeff Cropp, did not return an email and phone call last week from The Ledger.
Permits list the project cost at $31M, which is the second-largest commercial building permit issued in Mecklenburg so far this month. —TM
Rap recap: Readers weigh in on Charlotte Ledger’s innovative musical hit
The reviews of our parody song “Charlotte at 8 a.m.” are pouring in, and our readers can’t get enough!
Some of the replies we received following Friday’s release:
‘Amazing’: “LOL the song is amazing! The ‘South Tyrone’ mention is key!”
‘Solid’: “I was worried the song would turn out cringe, but that was actually pretty solid. Well done!”
‘Ready for prime time’: “I needed an interpreter, who assured me that The Ledger version of 8 a.m. in Charlotte is really great. I had friends ask, ‘Are you the Joan?’ and if I wanted to join their Wordle share. … Sounds like it’s ready for prime time at ‘Charlotte Squawks.’” —Joan Zimmerman (yes, she is the Joan from the first verse)
‘Comprehensive’: “It’s certainly comprehensive. Doesn’t miss much going on here in Charlotte.”
Made me smile: “Heard it and it brought a smile to my face!”
‘Fun’: “You parodied a terrible song that speaks to why Charlotte and the people who live here are awful. Immediate unsubscribe. It was fun while you were serious journalists. Now you're on the same level as Axiom [sic].”
Thanks again to Backspinz Music Academy for making it happen. If you missed Friday’s release, check it out here. —TM
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
TUESDAY: Backlot Trail Ribbon Cutting, 11:45 a.m., Woodbine Lane in SouthPark (park at Park Road Park and cross the street — look for signs and balloons). Come celebrate the opening of the Backlot Trail in SouthPark, a collaborative effort between the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County that will provide a safer connection to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Free.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY: Full Moon Paddle, 7-9 p.m., Mount Holly Boat Landing. Perfect date night, girls night out, or adventure solo or with friends! A guided, kayak tour on the Catawba River beneath the rising moon. Bonfire + s’mores + beverages after. No experience necessary. We provide everything! $55.
◼️ Check out the full Ledger events board.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
In brief:
Big electronic signs proposed uptown: Developer Lincoln Harris has filed a rezoning petition with the city seeking approval to install three large electronic signs at its Legacy Union development uptown. There would be two 1,400 s.f. signs and one 3,100 s.f. sign facing Brooklyn Village Avenue or South Tryon Street. (Biz Journal, subscriber-only)
Social district on the way: The Charlotte City Council is expected to approve the city’s first social district at a meeting tonight. It would allow people in a mile-long area around Central Avenue in Plaza-Midwood to walk around outside with open containers of alcohol purchased from participating businesses.
Bank job cutbacks: Five of the six largest U.S. banks have shed 20,000 jobs this year, according to regulatory filings. Bank of America has cut its number of employees by 2%, to 212,800 workers, and Wells Fargo cut its number of workers by 5%, to 227,400. “Banks are cutting costs where they can because things are really uncertain next year,” one analyst said. (CNBC)
Lawsuit against Hornets rookie: The family of a woman killed in an Alabama shooting has filed a wrongful death suit against Hornets rookie Brandon Miller and two other men. The suit alleges Miller helped deliver the weapon used in the January shooting in Tuscaloosa. The other two men face murder charges. Miller was not charged. Miller’s attorney said Miller had “no knowledge of any intent to use the weapon.” (ESPN)
Bound for soccer playoffs: Charlotte FC won its final regular season game, against Miami and superstar Lionel Messi on Saturday, finishing in 9th place out of 15 teams in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. That’s good enough to qualify for the postseason, and the team will play the New York Red Bulls in New York on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Clemson coach apologizes for ‘suicide watch’ comment: Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney apologized for comments he made after Saturday’s loss to Miami after saying a team psychologist was “probably on suicide watch” after seeing the team’s repeated mistakes. Swinney said Sunday that his remarks were “such a poor attempt at humor on my part and just a really bad choice of words.” (Observer)
Taylor Spooky: A house on Club Road in Plaza Midwood has decorated its front yard for Halloween as a graveyard of Taylor Swift ex-boyfriends, with tombstones marked Harry Styles and Jake Gyllenhaal. (WSOC)
Holy cow: A Charlotte man captured video Friday of cows coming out of a moving trailer in front of him on University City Boulevard near I-485 on Friday morning. The cows were apparently recovered and unharmed. The witness said: “They just got up like nothing. Baby cow is coming up to their mother like, ‘You good? I’m good, let’s get some grass.’ I ain’t gonna lie: I would have taken off if I was them.” (WSOC)
Correction
An article on a Ballantyne-area land donation in the paid version of Friday’s Charlotte Ledger misspelled the name of YMCA of Greater Charlotte spokesperson Heather Briganti. Our apologies.
Programming note: Ledger editor Tony Mecia appeared on Friday’s “Breaking With Brett Jensen” show on WBT radio to discuss our scoop last week on the proposed Red Line commuter rail.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman, BC Creative