Charlotte Transportation Center

The Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC), also known as Arena or CTC/Arena, is an intermodal transit station in Center City Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It serves as the central hub for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses and connects with the LYNX Blue Line and CityLYNX Gold Line. It is located on East Trade Street, Fourth Street and Brevard Street. Notable places nearby include the Bank of America Corporate Center, Belk Theater, EpiCentre, Overstreet Mall and the Spectrum Center.

Charlotte Transportation Center
Intermodal passenger transport Transit Station
Charlotte Transportation Center at street level
General information
Location310 East Trade Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
United States
Coordinates35°13′30″N 80°50′29″W
Owned byCharlotte Area Transit Systems
Line(s)
  Lynx Blue Line
  CityLynx Gold Line
Platforms2 island platforms
2 side platforms
Tracks4
Bus routes44
Bus stands22
Bus operatorsBus interchange Charlotte Area Transit System
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade/Elevated
Bicycle facilitiesBicycle racks
AccessibleYes
History
OpenedDecember 11, 1995 (1995-12-11) (bus)
November 24, 2007 (2007-11-24) (light rail)
July 14, 2015 (2015-07-14) (streetcar)
Services
Preceding station CATS Following station
3rd Street
towards I-485/South Boulevard
 Lynx Blue Line 7th Street
towards UNC Charlotte–Main
Tryon Street
towards French Street
 CityLynx Gold Line Davidson Street
towards Sunnyside Avenue
Former services
Preceding station CATS Following station
3rd Street
towards Atherton Mill
 Charlotte Trolley 7th Street
towards 9th Street

History

The CTC celebrated its grand opening on December 11, 1995, through a partnership with then-NationsBank. Its completion moved the central transfer point for all CATS buses from The Square, two blocks to the west to Trade Street. Reasons for the facility was an effort to improve traffic congestion along Tryon Street and provide transit riders a more efficient centralized transfer point.[1]

The LYNX Blue Line station officially opened on November 24, 2007.[2] The unique platform cover, made of synthetic materials and supported by curved steel, was originally scrapped due to high costs, but was later brought back and constructed after multiple Center City businesses donated money to make up the difference in construction costs.[3]

On July 14, 2015, the CityLYNX Gold Line was officially opened with its initial 1.5-mile (2.4 km), six-stop segment (Phase 1).[4]

Redevelopment

In 2019 the city received a bid from developers to purchase the 2.6 acre site and redevelop it. In August 2019 the city began a competitive-bidding process which led to White Point Partners and Dart Interests being selected to redevelop the site. The development is planned to be a public-private partnership to create a new transportation hub which will also include retail and office space. The original building options being considered were a ground level bus station, below ground station, or above ground station. Also, included in the redevelopment would be a training center for the Charlotte Hornets which will be a part of the $215 million the city agreed in order to extend the Hornets lease of Spectrum Center until 2045.[5]

In January 2023 Charlotte City Council approved a below ground bus station. This option was chosen to reduce the security risks by only allowing access to ticketed passengers.[6] As of February 2023 Charlotte City Council voted to allow the city manager to create a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with developers to move forward with the redevelopment process. This step is one on many steps and approvals needed before starting construction.[7]

Services
The CityLynx Gold Line's double-island-platform stop for CTC/Arena, viewed from the Blue Line light rail station, with a streetcar ending a trip

The CTC has 20 internal bus bays and two external bus bays, serving 44 bus routes (local and express).[8][9] In addition, the Gold Rush Red Line, a free shuttle service, connecting to Johnson & Wales University and Johnson C. Smith University, along Trade Street.[10]

The CityLYNX Gold Line, located at the intersection of East Trade Street and Brevard Street, is a streetcar line that connects to Central Piedmont Community College and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. It operates everyday with a 15-minute frequency (20-minute after 7:00pm).[10] Access to the streetcar is by two island platforms, one facing westbound and one facing eastbound.

The LYNX Blue Line, located on an elevated platform above East Trade Street, is a light rail line that connects to South End and several park and ride lots along South Boulevard.[9] It operates everyday with 10 to 30-minute frequency, depending on time of day.[11] Access to the Blue Line station is by stairs or elevator from inside the CTC and then by outdoor walkway along the light rail tracks. The station is covered by a roof made of synthetic materials and supported by curved steel; side platforms, which sit on either side of the tracks, are used to access the trains.[3] The CTC Blue Line station is signed as "CTC/Arena," reflecting that it is also the main stop for the Spectrum Center, accessible via two walkways.

Connection to the Amtrak Charlotte Station, located 2 miles (3.2 km) from CTC, is via CATS Bus 11 (North Tryon). Connection to the Greyhound bus station, located at the future Gateway Station and .6 miles (0.97 km) from CTC, is via the CityLynx Gold Line or by foot along Trade Street.

Station layout

As an intermodal transit station, the main facility is the open-air bus depot with 22 bus stands, using letters B-V and X, and the CityLynx Gold Line along Trade Street; connecting through a mezzanine level is the Lynx Blue Line and rail trail.

S Street level Exit/entrance, buses
Westbound ← CityLynx Gold Line toward French Street (Tryon Street)
Island platform, doors will open on the left Disabled access
Eastbound → CityLynx Gold Line toward Sunnyside Avenue (Davidson Street) →
M Mezzanine Crossover between street and platform levels
P Side platform, doors will open on the right Disabled access
Northbound ← Lynx Blue Line toward UNC Charlotte–Main (7th Street)
Southbound ← Lynx Blue Line toward I-485/South Boulevard (3rd Street) →
Side platform, doors will open on the right Disabled access
Platform level Exit/entrance, rail trail

Amenities

The CTC is open from 4:50am till 1:30am daily. The facility includes the following restaurants and shops: Bojangles', Burger King, China Shuttle, Cricket Wireless, Lil' Orbits, Plaza Sundries and Subway. In the center of the CTC is CATS Customer Service, which includes lost and found, pass sales, transit IDs and information. Public restrooms are also available on site. For safety, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has an expeditor unit on site.[12]

Public art

As part of the CATS Art in Transit program, the CTC/Arena features several pieces intended to provide a better overall aesthetic for the station. The works include bas-reliefs entitled Gingko by Alice Adams, drinking fountain basins designed to look like dogwoods, the North Carolina state flower, by Nancy Blum, the Trade Street bridge supports entitled Bobbins pays hommage to Charlotte's textile industry was created by Andrew Leicester, Bobbins and track fencing featuring cottonwood leaves by Shaun Cassidy.[13]

References
  1. Powell, Dannye Romine (December 12, 1995). "Checked out the Transit Center". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1C.
  2. Harrison, Steve; Valle, Kristen (November 25, 2007). "Light rail, heavy traffic - Thousands wait in lines for a free ride on 1st day". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1A.
  3. Harrison, Steve (June 17, 2007). "Rail's early opening hinges on one station - Uptown stop must be complete before any part of line can open". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1B.
  4. Harrison, Steve; Portillo, Ely (July 14, 2015). "Charlotte's Gold Line streetcar shimmers on first run". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  5. Spanberg, Erik (7 November 2022). "Price tag to redevelop Charlotte Transportation Center in uptown pegged at $89M". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  6. Spanberg, Erik (3 January 2023). "Charlotte City Council transportation committee votes in favor of below-ground bus hub uptown". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  7. Wilson, Jen (27 February 203). "CBJ Buzz: Underground bus hub on Charlotte City Council's agenda; Krispy Kreme expands McDonald's test". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  8. "CATS Maps - CTC Bus Bay Map". Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  9. "Charlotte Riders Guide" (PDF). Charlotte Area Transit System. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  10. "Gold Rush Cirulator Service" (PDF). Charlotte Area Transit System. June 27, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  11. "LYNX Routes & Schedules". Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  12. "Transit Centers". Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  13. "CTC/Arena Station: Art in Transit". Charlotte Area Transit System. Archived from the original on March 23, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2008.
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