For the Media

1. Overview

1. Overview

Welcome to the City of Charlotte’s media kit. The kit provides information about city government, the role of the mayor and elected officials, and more. Members of the media can also find information about submitting information requests, public records and public meetings. 

For additional information, please call Charlotte Communication & Marketing at 704.336.3052.

2. About Charlotte

Charlotte, nicknamed the Queen City, is a thriving hot spot of business, sports and culture nestled in Mecklenburg County. With nearly 900,000 residents, it is the largest city in North Carolina and one of the 20 largest cities in the United States. Charlotte and its resident county were named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III during the time of the city's founding.

More than 10 Fortune 1000 companies are also proud to call Charlotte home, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Belk, Shutterfly, Duke Energy, Lance and Nucor. Charlotte is also home to the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Other amenities that make Charlotte a great place to live include numerous higher learning organizations, cultural centers and health care facilities.

Some other fun facts about the city:

  • First among top 10 cities with the best employee engagement (Forbes).
  • Second among 25 largest cities for most desirable place to purchase a home (Nerdwallet.com).
  • Second in the best areas for job-seeking college graduates (Careerbliss.com).
  • Fifth fastest growing metro from 2000-2012 of the 52 largest metro areas (US Census).
  • Sixth among top 10 hot cities for IT jobs in 2013 (Modis, Inc.).
  • Seventh among the top Spring Break destinations for families (Livability.com).
  • One of the top 10 cities for newlyweds to live and work (Rent.com).
  • Eighth among the top 10 big booming cities (CNNmoney.com).
  • Ninth among top 50 cities with the most job openings per capita (Beyond.com).
  • Among the top 20 best cities for businesses and careers (Forbes.com).
  • Ninth among the top moving destinations of all cities (Penske Truck Rental).
  • 17th largest city in the U.S. in total population.
  • Top 10 city for urban forests (American Forests).
  • Named “Tree City” for 33 consecutive years by the Arbor Day Foundation.
  • Home of ImaginOn, the top-ranked children’s museum in the country. (Livability.com).

Vision

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses, and visitors alike; a safe family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive.

Mission

The mission of the City of Charlotte is to ensure the delivery of quality public services and to promote the safety, health and quality of life of its citizens.

3. City Government Structure

Charlotte has a council-manager form of government with a mayor and 11 council members elected every two years in November, and a professional city manager. The mayor and four council members are elected at-large by a citywide vote. Seven council members are elected from districts by voters who reside in each district.

Charlotte adopted a council-manager form of government in 1929. This form of government divides responsibilities between elected officials and the appointed city manager.

Think of the mayor and the City Council as the board of directors of this municipal organization. They set policy, approve financing of all city operations and enact legislation.

The city manager, meanwhile, is the chief operating officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of city government. The city manager ensures that residents receive efficient and cost-effective services, and provides vision and leadership to the city organization.

4. Mayor, City Council and City Manager

The mayor and City Council members are responsible for:

  • Appointing the city manager, the city attorney, the city clerk, and members of various boards and commissions.
  • Reviewing the annual budget, setting the tax rate and approving the financing of all city operations.
  • Authorizing contracts on behalf of the city.

Find out more about the Charlotte City Council.

The city manager is responsible for:

  • Carrying out decisions made by the City Council.
  • Providing vision and leadership to the organization.
  • Overseeing the daily operations of city government.

5. Public Records

The City of Charlotte is committed to being a transparent government. We will respond to all requests for information as quickly as possible and strive to communicate a realistic time frame.

6. Public Meetings

The City of Charlotte holds many public meetings. These meetings are listed on the event calendar

Call, visit or fax the Office of the City Clerk to request to speak at a City Council meeting.

7. Parking and Directions

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center (CMGC) is located in the government district of uptown Charlotte’s second ward, at 600 E. Fourth St. Visitors to CMGC, not including media, can find parking in the parking deck accessible from Davidson Street. If the deck is full, on-street parking and other pay lots are close by.

Visitors may call the CMGC control room 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 704.336.4535 with questions.

Media Parking

  • Media vehicles may use the circle drive in front of CMGC; enter from Fourth Street. 
  • Vehicles must be parked only in the reserved/marked spaces in the circle closest to Fourth Street.
  • Media outlets providing live feeds will receive priority parking. 
  • All vehicles must have exterior markings that identify the media outlet; a card on the interior dashboard is not satisfactory.
  • CMGC security enforces the parking ordinances. If a vehicle without a placard is parked in the wrong space or does not have exterior vehicle identification, it will be ticketed. 
  • Media advisory updates will include parking information for other city facilities as needed.