The Uptown Connects
Study has been finalized and is now available here:
Uptown
Connects Study - Final Report (28MB)

Next Steps
Two primary recommendations are moving forward from the Study,
- Implementation of the Belk Greenway Connector
Visit the project web page
A primary focus of the study evaluated the potential to build a multi-use pathway along the John Belk Freeway connecting Little Sugar Creek Greenway to Irwin Creek Greenway. The multi-use facility will provide cyclists of all ages and abilities the opportunity to have a primarily off-street option through Uptown. This facility is recommended to be built in three phases as follows. - Phase One (eastern segment – Kenilworth to Davidson)
- Design Started. Fully funded. Schedule TBD.
- Phase Two (western segment – Mint/Stonewall to College)
- Working with developers to preserve land for trail.
- Not yet funded.
- Phase Three (middle segment – College to Davidson)
- Working with developers to preserve land for trail.
- Coordinating with NCDOT on any I-277/Belk Freeway modifications.
- Not yet funded.
- Implementation of the 5th/6th Protected Bike Lane (Visit the project web page)
This recommendation provides an on-street solution to give cyclists a way to travel through Uptown linking greenways and many destinations. The implementation of the 5th/6th Street protected bike lane is recommended to occur as follows:
- Demonstration protected bike lane project being proposed as part of Biketoberfest – October 22-29 2017
- A one week demonstration along 5th and 6th Streets is proposed for October 22-29. This demonstration will include a one-way cycletrack design. The City will use this demonstration to evaluate operations and public perception.
- Permanent protected bike lane project
The City intends to design a two-way 'cycletrack' along 5th and 6th Streets ( starting in early winter 2018. The design process will take approximately one-year. The project is funded for design, but currently unfunded for construction.
Chronology of Public Engagement and Technical Team Bike Tours
Planning Bike Tours May 2016
City of Charlotte and Charlotte Center City Partners staff participated in two bike tours to review existing conditions for the potential Belk multi-use pathway and a review of Uptown streets. View the Belk Freeway Bike Tour ESRI storybook map.
Stakeholder Sessions June 2016
A series of stakeholder interview sessions and walking tours were held June 14-16, 2016 to obtain public input and ideas. These small group sessions provided an opportunity to review public support for additional bicycle facilities and potential bicycle infrastructure locations.
Staff hosted five stakeholder interview sessions, two walking tours and a wrap up session at the end of the three day series. The wrap up session provided an overview of key takeaways from the interviews and walking tours.
Public Workshop September 2016
More than 140 people attended the public workshop on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. The project team shared initial findings about a potential bicycle network. The workshop was a highly interactive open house with 10 'stations' where citizens could learn more about the overall project and provide feedback. In addition, attendees were able to grab a B-Cycle and ride a pop-up protected bike lane on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard! Thanks to B-Cycle for providing bicycles for the attendees!
Public Workshop February 2017
The final Uptown Connects Study public workshop was held on Thursday, February 23, 2017. The meeting included a short presentation followed by an open-house where attendees learned greater details about the study and provided comments on a recommended protected bike lane pilot project along 5th and 6th Streets between Irwin Creek Greenway and Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
Public workshop meeting materials are located under project documents.
Study Schedule and Timeline
Project Kickoff – April
2016
Data Collection / Fieldwork –
Spring/Summer 2016
Planning Team Belk Bike Tour –
May 26, 2016
Planning Team Uptown Bike Tour
– June 9, 2016
Stakeholder Meetings - June 14
- 16, 2016
1st Public Meeting – September
20, 2016
2nd Public Meeting – February
23, 2017
City Council Dinner Briefing on
the draft Uptown Connects Study – June 12, 2017
Study Complete – July 2017