[QUOTE=Ninercentral;310868][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]Greetings,[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]My name is Marc S. Asbill, class of 2006 and proud 49er Foundation member and season ticket holder since graduating.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I am writing because I am extremely interested in the development of the new Campus Master Plan, and thought I would share some of my input on the subject. My interest is particularly peaked by two main areas of focus, connecting with the students of the university in a way that provides them with the rich, college experience that so many alumni, outsiders, and students feel about the university, and incorporate many of the elements that other universities have that keep students around and alumni coming back. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I am particularly interested in the development of real estate in the area around the university, and examining how having major highways on the borders of the school, and no commercial or entertainment venues on the borders with smaller roads have impacted the university. I lived on campus for a year while at UNC Charlotte, and lived across John Kirk Rd for an additional two, and only twice in my four years of college did I cross over University City Blvd to walk somewhere. It is a large road, and while some students do cross, most cross for parking issues, and not to visit the shops, restaurants, and bars in the area. This same issue is present on North Tryon and Harris Boulevard as well. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I would have to say that sans a name change for the university and football, the biggest issue is creating a community that is self sustaining. University City, I personally believe, has developed in the manner it has as a result of developers wanting a quick buck and building numerous strip mall centers across the major highways, rather than focusing on the needs of the students at the University. I have spent much time visiting other universities, particularly UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, and Appalachian State and have noticed some similarities between UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington, and some vast differences between UNC Charlotte and UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]For one, both UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington border major highways. Their campus has developed from within, and their commercial neighbors have developed externally, rather than with the universities. Appalachian and Chapel Hill however seem to have integrated quite well, for obvious reasons of being in more obscure locations and being older schools. The problem is however that students at Appalachian and Chapel Hill have a greater connection to their universities, one that I would hypothesize is a mixture of the presence of football, and the fact that at those schools they stay on campus more.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]The easiest response might be to consider the fact that Charlotte is a major metropolitan area, and that we are not in the unique “college town” atmospheres of Appalachian or Chapel Hill, but I would be quick to retort. While we are in a major metropolitan area, University City is truly its own area, Charlotte’s only real borrough. In fact it was not until 1996 that University City even was annexed by the city of Charlotte. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Understanding that UNC Charlotte does not own all of the land adjacent to the school, and that zoning regulations are out of their hands, I would strongly encourage them to approach the situation with a two tiered plan. Work with Charlotte developers and the Charlotte City Counsel into planning future development in University City more pedestrian, and college student friendly, and the second, albeit more difficult tier would be the university’s development of some of it’s own land. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Franklin Street in Chapel Hill is a premier example of what comes to my mind. It is a wonderful place to walk to, close to campus, and has shops, bars, restaurants, upscale and otherwise all in one location. Similarly, and example in Charlotte would be Phillip’s Place in Southpark. There are condominiums adjacent to the rear of the property, and all of the things Franklin Street has, although more expensive, the general pedestrian friendly layout with things in walking distance is the general premise.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I had heard tell that some time ago UNC Charlotte was planning to do a development like this, called University Village, but I do not know how much truth there is to that. I just do know that the university needs developments on and adjacent to the property that are in walking distance that make students feel like they are a part of a major research university; because they are! Increase the time students spend on campus, on the weekends, during the week, after graduation, and for the foreseeable future. Give them a place to call their own, something to drop the commuter school image. Students need a place to go and LIVE the UNC Charlotte experience, rather than merely attending a school. Build or solicit facilities that students will want to come to school here just to make use of, build an environment that engenders a true spirit for UNC Charlotte, and many of the other major problems the university is currently facing will begin to slowly work themselves out.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I apologize for my lack of brevity, but I rarely get chances to speak my mind relating to the direction the university should proceed with its future that does not deal with athletics. I think that a University Village, a little world inside UNC Charlotte’s little world, that students and alums can walk to and enjoy, build relationships at, build a relationship with the school at, and come back to for generations is something the university desparately needs.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]I thank you for your time and consideration in reading my likely trivial opinion, but I feel strongly about it. Good luck in the endeavour, and please feel free to contact me in the future if there is anything I can do to be of assistance to the project. I will gladly help.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Best Regards,[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Marc S. Asbill [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]President, Real Estate Law Society - Charlotte School of Law [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Intern, Legal Services of the Southern Piedmont [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]asbillm@charlottelaw.org [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]704-376-1600 ext. 225[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=1]This message, including files attached to it, may contain confidential and/or privileged information that is intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copying of the information contained in this message, or the taking of any action in reliance upon the information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the message from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]
Good letter.
By the way, do you dabble in any land use law or are you strictly real estate law?