Applied Innovation Corridor
- Project typeEconomic Development
- Project budget$29 million for all projects from voter-approved transportation bonds ($12.48 million in 2014, $2.7 million in 2016 and $13.76 million in 2018)
Program overview
Charlotte voters approved Capital Investment Plan bonds in the last three bond cycles (2014, 2016 and 2018) to improve infrastructure and leverage private investment throughout the city. Among the areas receiving infrastructure improvements are the following:
16th Street Streetscape Phase 1 (complete)
16th Street Streetscape Phase 2 (in progress)
Camp North End CIP (complete)
Matheson Avenue Bridge Streetscape (in progress)
North Tryon Street Gateway (complete)
This program is providing infrastructure investments to spur economic growth and facilitate recruitment of high-tech industries to this area, referred to in the Center City 2020 Vision Plan as the Applied Innovation Corridor (AIC). These investments are intended to attract both technology start-ups and expanding high-tech businesses to the area and encourage residential and commercial redevelopment. This type of growth will help strengthen collaboration between our academic research institutions and private industry which, in turn, catalyzes high-tech job growth benefiting the city’s economy.
North End: Charlotte’s next chapter
Adjacent to Uptown, the North End is an emerging area of Charlotte and the focus area of the Applied Innovation Corridor. A counterpoint to the successful, historic South End district, the North End contains the established neighborhoods bounded by I-277, I-77, I-85 and North Davidson Street. The City of Charlotte is targeting this area for investment through many means, including the Capital Investment Plan (CIP). Charlotte voters approved city bonds for public improvements for housing and neighborhoods. A portion of these funds is being channeled for investment in North End through projects identified in the Applied Innovation Corridor, with a specific focus on redevelopment opportunities and jobs creation.
Working alongside residents, the city has been developing and refining potential infrastructure projects including investments in new street connections, streetscapes, sidewalk and bikeway improvements and improved connections for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users.