Reconnecting the West End: A Community-Centered Vision for Growth

Published on March 27, 2025

A photo of the Gold Line traveling through the Historic West End.

By Morgan Newell

Coretta Livingston has been living in the West End for years. She loves the place she calls home.

“This area has so much to offer, and it would be amazing to get people to make this part of their daily, weekly, and even monthly routine,” Livingston said.

She owns several businesses, including Venue 1801, where the City of Charlotte and Historic West End Partners hosted two important events—design charrettes for the Reconnecting the West End Project. Livingston said this project might be exactly what the area needs.

“I want people to think of this area like they think of NoDa or South End,” she explained.

A Look Back at the History

Beatties Ford Road street sign.

In the 1960s, the City of Charlotte rapidly grew. To keep up, infrastructure was needed. Highway construction, specifically I-77, demolished minority neighborhoods. Brooklyn Village was one of these places. Houses and business were leveled, and families were displaced. People found home in the West End. However, in the 1970s and 80s, land in and around the West End became a point of discussion. Many Black neighborhoods in that area were also destroyed to accommodate I-77 interchanges and I-277.

For Livingston, the history and her lived experiences are top of mind. She believes the key to success is ensuring residents are informed and involved throughout the process. Her concerns reflect a broader issue: the fear of displacement and the need for intentional, community-driven planning.

“People feel left out and like they’re being pushed out,” she said. “We need to prepare and plan in advance.”

Charlotte Department of Transportation’s Mobility Planning and Policy Section Manager Julian Burton and CEO of Neighboring Concepts Cathy Morrison agree. They said history is at the forefront of their minds and this project.

“The grant is about repairing and dealing with the past harm that the connection and transportation infrastructure,” Morrison stated. “Righting the wrongs and make things better.”

A Federal Grant to Repair Past Harms and Improve Connections

The City of Charlotte is taking steps to address these concerns with the federal grant. Two years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded our transportation department the “Reconnecting Communities” grant. The $1 million grant gave the city an opportunity to study the I-77 interchanges as well as West Fifth Street and West Trade Street. The study focused on reconnecting West End to Uptown and exploring ways to improve accessibility.

Burton acknowledged this project is about balance. He explained I-77 is an important thoroughfare, so they have to consider the needs of the interstate along with the work they are trying to accomplish. The grant’s goal is to develop a 10% design concept—not a fully engineered plan, but a well-thought-out vision. This project is the next step in advancing the Five Points Forward Plan, an initiative designed to shape the future of the area based on community input.

Community-Centered Planning and Infrastructure Improvements

 
Neighboring Concepts CEO Cathy Morrison answer a resident's questions about a proposal.

The planning process is highly focused on community engagement. Morrison stressed the importance of “buy-in” from residents.

 “We want the community to feel ownership,” she explained. “This isn’t something happening to them—it’s happening with them.”

At the March 25 and 26 design charrettes, community members had the opportunity to review five proposed concepts for the interchange and surrounding streets. Community feedback will help narrow the options down to two, and ultimately to one final concept for implementation.

Residents heard elevator pitches about each design plan. People asked questions and the teams who created the work answered. Person-to-person conversation was prevalent throughout the entire two-day event. Sticky notes were passed out to give neighbors the chance to submit feedback immediately.

“A lot of work went into this event to inform the community to give them the chance to weigh,” Burton commented.

Addressing Community Concerns: Affordability, Accessibility, and Transparency

Teams are dedicated to studying streetcars, bicycles, and pedestrian networks, ensuring the new design meets the needs of all residents. Some of the infrastructure already exists. Burton and Morrison said building upon what already exists is key.

“We’re thinking beyond cars,” Burton said. “There are so many ways people move through the West End. We need to enhance the assets we already have and explore new connections.”

These two don’t want you to reduce this study to just roads though. The concept also touches on reconnection within the community. The study will look at open spaces like parks, plazas, and greenways, finding ways to integrate them into the vision for the area. Housing also remains a key issue. With improvements being made, affordable and mixed-income housing is at the top of the list to enhance the area. West End is also considered a food desert, which is another factor being considered in the planning process. The goal is to create a balanced, sustainable community where residents benefit from new investments rather than being displaced by them.

 “This project isn’t successful unless we talk to the community,” Morrison stated. "That’s how we ensure we’re making the right plan."

“This is an amazing opportunity to rethink an important part of our city and how we can better connect West End to Uptown,” Burton remarked.

Moving Forward: A Vision for West End’s Future

A sign welcoming people to Five Points Plaza.

With ongoing community engagement, and a commitment to a plan that considers all, the project aims to ensure that the West End’s future is shaped by the people who call it home. While the design charrettes have already passed, public engagement is being planned over the next year.

Anyone interested in keeping up with future events, especially if you live in the West End, can follow announcements on the Reconnecting the West End page.