Open Streets 704

News

City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to Host Corridors Connect Event Series

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 14, 2023) – The City of Charlotte, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and Public Heath, will host a series of six “Corridors Connect” events in October.

Corridors Connect is a new, more compact iteration of the popular event series Open Streets, providing opportunities for connectivity, health and wellness, and celebration of community by turning a one-mile stretch of neighborhood street into a park for a day. 

“Bringing the Open Streets [SC1] concept to these neighborhoods is a tangible, on-the-ground commitment to the city’s Corridors of Opportunity initiative,” said Monica Holmes, Corridors of Opportunity executive manager. “It’s a multicultural, multigenerational and multilingual experience for a diverse and fast-growing community. These corridors are vital to the health of Charlotte’s communities, serving as links that connect people to the resources and businesses they need to live and thrive.”

Corridors Connect will consist of six events along routes throughout the Corridors of Opportunity focus areas. All events will have food and fun activities for all ages and will take place from 1-5 p.m. on back-to-back Sundays in October. 

Event dates:

  • Oct. 8: The I-85/Sugar Creek Road Corridor and the Albemarle Road/Central Avenue Corridor.
  • Oct. 15: The Beatties Ford Road/Rozzelles Ferry Road Corridor and the Graham Street/North Tryon Street Corridor.
  • Oct. 22: The West Boulevard Corridor and the Freedom Drive/Wilkinson Boulevard Corridor.

“The future of recreation in Mecklenburg County must be characterized by equity and meeting people where they are,” said W. Lee Jones, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation director. “Popular events like Corridors Connect show us what is possible when we create public spaces that promote active living and connect people to each other and to their environment.”

Events are within walking and biking distance of parks and public transportation. Neighbors and businesses along the routes will be notified so they can plan accordingly. 

Corridors of Opportunity is a $67+ million initiative supporting six underinvested areas in Charlotte. The Corridors of Opportunity program is geared toward fostering a thriving community for existing residents and business owners, building lasting legacies, and providing holistic opportunities to grow in a connected and equitable way.

For more information, including route maps, visit openstreets704.com.

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About the City of Charlotte 

The City of Charlotte provides services to more than 872,000 residents. The city’s priorities are workforce and business development; transportation, planning and the environment; safe communities; and great neighborhoods. Charlotte is ranked 8th on the U.S. News & World Report’s 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024. For the latest news and updates about city government, visit the citywide newsroom at charlottenc.gov/City-News, follow @CLTgov on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to the City Speaks newsletter. 

 [SC1]Wasn’t 100% sure about this change, but should it be Open Streets? All other references capitalize it, but I wasn’t sure if here it is being referred to as a looser concept or the actual Open Streets series is being referenced.

Charlotte Shared Streets Pilot Program Creates Space for Social Distancing

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Apr. 30, 2020) — The City of Charlotte is scheduled to begin implementing the Charlotte Shared Streets pilot on Saturday, May 9. This project is intended to support outdoor exercise; create a safer environment for people walking, wheelchair rolling, and biking; and promote physical distancing of at least 6 feet by identifying low-speed neighborhood streets as “Shared Streets.”

Shared Streets are streets that are temporarily designated and signed as streets for walking, wheelchair rolling, and biking. Through traffic will not be permitted, but emergency vehicles and residents who live on those streets will still be able to access the roads by motor vehicle. Residents should understand that the SHARED streets do not present an opportunity for residents to congregate and that they should continue following social distancing guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • For the initial identification of Shared Streets, only low-speed (30mph or less), non-thoroughfare streets are eligible. (Streets signed over 30 mph may be considered in the future based on other factors – citizen input, proximity to parks/greenways, etc.)
  • Shared Streets candidates should be identified as an existing bike route/greenway connector OR provide a nearby route to an existing park or a greenway.
  • Identified corridors should be long enough to be useful for exercising and support responsible social distancing – at least ½ mile
  • Street types that would not meet requirements:
    • Streets that provide access to hospitals, health services, and emergency services
    • Streets that provide curbside pickup, parking access, or loading for essential services that are still in operation
    • Transit routes
    • Streets that provide essential access to commercial development projects
    • Streets with active construction or utility projects
    • NCDOT-maintained streets
    • Any other street as deemed inappropriate by CDOT

Phase 1 starting May 9, 2020:

  • McClintock Rd. from The Plaza to Morningside Dr.
  • Romany Rd. (Bike Route 11) from Euclid Ave. to Kenilworth Ave.
  • Jameston Dr./Irby Dr./Westfield Rd. from Freedom Park to Brandywine Rd.

Future Potential Locations:

  • Thomas Ave. from Central Ave. to Belvedere Ave.
  • Andrill Tr./Summit Ave./Martin St. (Bike Route 10) between Oaklawn Ave. and 5th St.
  • 35th St. from Davidson Street to The Plaza
  • 8th St. from Louise Ave. to Laurel Ave.
  • 5th St. between Osborne Ave. and 7th St.

The City of Charlotte will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, the State of North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County Public Health on outdoor recreation, transportation, and physical distancing, and will adjust this pilot program as needed. Visit the Charlotte Shared Streets website for more information.

CharMeck Alerts – Sign up for emergency notifications at www.charmeckalerts.org or call 311 to register. For more information about CharMeck Alerts, email charmeckalerts@charlottenc.gov.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) more than 400 employees work together to ensure we accomplish our mission to provide safe and efficient transportation systems that support economic vitality and quality of life for Charlotte residents and visitors. Well-paved streets with lighting, safe and accessible sidewalks, bicycle lanes, neighborhood traffic programs, and efficient intersections are examples of how CDOT is “Connecting Charlotte.”

About the City of Charlotte

 The City of Charlotte provides services to more than 870,000 residents. The city’s priorities are workforce and business development; transportation, planning and the environment; safe communities; and great neighborhoods. For the latest news and updates about city government, visit the citywide newsroom at newsroom.charlottenc.gov, and follow @CLTgov on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It’s Time to Roll! Or Walk or Dance or Play in the Street at Open Streets 704

Everything you love about Open Streets 704 — and more — is back for four hours on Sunday, April 19, as Charlotte’s NINTH afternoon of car(e) free streets returns to its popular NoDa-to-Plaza Midwood route! (Or Plaza Midwood-to-NoDa, if that’s what you prefer!)

Street painting projects, B-Cycles, food, games, and street performers all return for this twice-a-year fun afternoon.

A record-breaking year of engagement saw more than 52,000 people stroll, roll, bike, and dance through neighborhoods of Belmont, Optimist Park, Villa Heights, Wilmore, Seversville, and Dilworth, and Open Streets 704 is excited about doing it again. Both Fall and Spring events set new records!

“Open Streets 704 is the largest event in Charlotte focused on community health and civic engagement,” says Scott Curry, Active Transportation Coordinator for the City of Charlotte. “And as always, it is 100% free to participate.”

Veterans Memorial Park, between Central and McClintock avenues, returns to the route this year. In it, families will find fun for all ages: sports, games, and bounce houses to name just a few activities, as Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation takes over programming for that end of the 4.2 mile route.

“We’re excited about having Veterans Memorial Park back on the route this year,” says Jay Tryon, Superintendent of Community Recreation. “It is one of our biggest parks, and truly has something for everyone.” Expect golf and other ball games in the 19-acre park.

Just a few blocks away on Commonwealth Avenue, BOOM! Charlotte continues its successful partnership with Open Streets 704 by bringing some of its innovative visual and performance art outdoors. The 3-day BOOM! Charlotte festival is a colorful part of the thriving arts scene in Plaza Midwood each year and Open Streets 704 will once again get to enjoy select performances for free on the route.

Bicycles are always a huge part of rolling through the entire Open Streets 704 route, and this year is no different. Once again, Open Streets 704 will be an important part of Bike Charlotte, which celebrates its 20th year in 2020! 

“In the past few years Open Streets 704 has become a signature part of BIKE! Charlotte and one of the biggest biking and walking events in the southeast,” says Curry. “We continue to be amazed and humbled at the way the Charlotte community has embraced Open Streets 704 and BIKE! Charlotte.”

Charlotte B-Cycles, as usual, will be available for free at the activity hubs while supplies last.

This spring’s Open Streets 704 will take a slight “green” detour from its usual path through Belmont and Optimist Park, to explore a new section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway that is part of the Cross Charlotte Trail. Participants will access the Greenway at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and North Myers Street, and can follow it to East 18th Street, a block from North Davidson Street.

The addition of Veterans Memorial Park and a portion of Little Sugar Creek Greenway is exciting to Partners for Parks, for whom Open Streets 704 is the signature event.

“We’re very excited about creating a festival atmosphere at Veterans Memorial Park on the route,” says Al Brown, Treasurer of Partners for Parks. “And we’re eager to showcase a beautiful section of the Greenway through Belmont and Optimist Park.”

As you come off the Greenway and head north past Cordelia Park on North Davidson, you’ll reach the Southminster Family Zone. This popular section includes activities for any and every age to enjoy together. It’s the perfect spot for parents and kids to stop and play — and grandmas and grandpas too! Expect a multigenerational play area and stage sponsored by Southminster senior living community.

“At our most recent Open Streets 704 program, 86 different organizations came out to host activities on the route, offering a multicultural, multigenerational, and multilingual Charlotte experience for our diverse participants,” touts Curry. “You can expect to see more of the same on April 19.”

52,000 people can’t be wrong — there’s something for everyone! Pump up your tires and lace up your shoes, and join the fun from the heart of NoDa to the playground of Plaza Midwood, 1 – 4 p.m. on April 19th! See you there!

Open Streets 704 Sets New Record for Fall Event

Sunday’s Open Streets 704 event from West End to Dilworth set an all-new record for the fall event — and the year! The afternoon of car(e) free streets brought more than 20,000 neighbors from around the Charlotte area to walk, roll, stroll, and dance through Seversville, Wesley Heights, Uptown, South End, Wilmore, and Dilworth.

“It was a GREAT day and a record fall turnout,” cheered Al Brown, Treasurer of Partners for Parks, the financial nonprofit partner for Open Streets 704. “The newest addition neighborhoods to our routes, Wilmore and Dilworth neighborhoods, really embraced having their streets added to Open Streets 704.”


“And the West End, Seversville, and Wesley Heights neighborhood associations, really went ALL OUT — I’ve never seen such crowded streets in all of our Open Streets 704 events!” he added. A generous grant from the Knight Foundation added live music and games to the fun in the Southminster Family Zone along the Stewart Creek Greenway in West End.

The warm weather and fantastic turnout brought the total of Open Streets 704 participants to 52,000 for 2019 — another record. Charlotte and Mecklenburg County’s largest fun, FREE, active community event has grown from 25,000 participants its first year, in 2016, to more than double that size this year.


“It was a great day for Mecklenburg County, for the City of Charlotte, and for our Open Streets 704 team, volunteers, and participants,” says Scott Curry, the Active Transportation Coordinator for the City of Charlotte and an Open Streets 704 leader. “It was a huge success!”

Some of the highlights along the 4-mile route from State Street to Latta Park included:

• 86 different organizations hosting multicultural, multigenerational, and multilingual experiences for all
• 5 Mecklenburg County parks – the most ever, in a Green Zone that stretched the entire route
• 22 County Recreation and Senior Centers
• Local neighborhood associations and businesses that added to the fun with street murals, scavenger hunts, interactive art, live music, and games

Open Streets 704 will soon release results of its business and participant surveys. The next Open Streets 704 event is planned for April 19, 2020. We can’t wait!

Guinness World Record-breaking “Bubbleologist” Returns to Open Streets 704

 

 

One of the most popular performers at Open Streets 704 has another Guinness World Record to his name — his 7th! — and he’s making plans to come back to the area’s largest free event on April 28th.

Steven Langley, the energetic “bubble man” who delights both kids and adults alike, will return to Open Streets 704 after earning his seventh Guinness World Record. His latest record is for “how many people he could put in a giant soap bubble in 30 seconds.”

The answer is 13, and the rules stipulated he put them in one at a time, while racing the clock. For the effort, he assembled a group at the Huntersville Arts and Cultural Center on November 9, and lined them up behind two soap bubble “moats.” Each person — who met the required height — quickly stepped into the moat while Langley lifted a large wand to create a giant bubble around them from their feet to above their heads. Langley alternated the wand between the two moats to move the process along faster, with each participant stepping out as soon as their turn was achieved.

 

 

 

Okay, it’s easier to just show you:https://facebook.com/GuinnessWorldRecords/videos/167069927546955/

“I do it in the spirit of fun and professional achievement,” says a giddy and enthusiastic Langley, who uses the title of “Bubbleologist” in his business, Soap Bubble Circus. Langley says his entertainment includes elements of science and math, and significant research into what makes bubbles form and hold together under circumstances he is often eager to try.

Langley wasn’t always a bubble pro — his 35 years of “self-promoting and performing” began with 25 years of professional juggling as one of the Charlotte-based “Fettucini Brothers.” From there, he progressed to paddle balls (aka “The Paddle Ball King”) and then “fell in love” with bubbles. He’s performed in Hollywood, Italy, China, and at The White House.

Langley’s other Guinness World Records include Most Paddle Balls Controlled Simultaneously (7, in case you’re wondering — for 10 seconds) and Most People Controlling Paddle Balls (443). Another world record is in the works, but still has to be certified by Guinness World Records before it is announced. (Hint: It involves bubbles.) Certification takes a few months, and involves “expert witnesses” along with slow-motion videos and intricate details to confirm.

So what’s Langley’s secret? “Great bubble soap!” he exclaims. He’s researched a lot of soap, and, well, uses a lot of it. He currently has an endorsement deal with his favorite, which he will be happy to tell you when you see him at Open Streets 704.

And yes, Open Streets 704 is one of his favorite events.

“I love that event!” he told us. “There’s always fun, and a sense of community that gets people out like nothing else does!” He especially loves that the event stretches for a few miles, instead of just a few blocks.  “It’s more fluid than a street fair, and more fun,” he says with glee.

You’ll catch Langley and his Soap Bubble Circus on April 28, between 1 and 5 p.m., in the Family Zone (route: https://openstreets704.com/route/.) Just follow the bubbles!

 

Show Your Car(e) Free Colors with the Open Streets 704 Poster Contest

Calling all artists — get out your crayons, paints, chalk, or favorite multi-media to color the Open Streets of Charlotte in our inaugural Opens Streets 704 poster contest!

Open Streets 704 is four great hours of car(e) free streets that encourages people to walk, run, dance, ride bikes, and have fun playing in the streets, seeing their community, and meeting their neighbors. And, oh yes, there is lots of street art.

This Spring, Open Streets 704 is Sunday, April 28, 1 – 5 p.m. in NoDa, Optimist Park, Villa Heights, Belmont, and Plaza Midwood.

Our poster contest invites you to put your art on paper, expressing our core values of connectivity, wellness, and equity. Posters will be judged based on creativity, design, and representation of the Open Streets 704 brand and core values.

Details:

  • The contest opens TODAY, February 1, 2019
  • Sumbit your entry at https://openstreets704.com/poster
  • Entries will be accepted through noon on March 1
  • Our Open Streets 704 team will pick up to 5 finalists for public voting March 11 – 20, with the winner announced on March 22
  • Your winning artwork can be our next poster! Doesn’t that sound great?

You can find more rules and everything you need to know about Open Streets 704 here: https://openstreets704.com/poster/