Wednesday, December 13, 2006

What do you predict for this region?

What are your predictions for 20 years in the future?

That’s been a hot question recently around here. The Charlotte Chamber made “Charlotte 2026” the theme of their annual meeting last week. And Chamber President Bob Morgan has been making the rounds with predictions for the region, including a population of 4.2 million surrounding 100,000 people living in uptown Charlotte.

Other area business leaders have made some predictions of their own. Here are excerpts from some they shared at last week’s event:

“Our economy will be thriving, fueled by the global dominance and the full flowering of our biomed and biotech initiatives.” – Mary MacMillan, Lincoln Financial Media

“I see...lights from the baseball stadium flickering against the uptown high rises. I see parks. I see uptown retail, perhaps even a Belk.” – Anthony Fox, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein

“I see a ticker tape parade in uptown Charlotte led by New York Mayor Derek Jeter and 70-year-old Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory celebrating the victory of the Major League Baseball Charlotte Kings over the Yankees in the World Series.” – Jim Turner, Duke Energy Corp.

“We’ll be one of the top 10 best cities to live and work in. We will achieve this status because we will have finally completed the 485 outer loop. Either that, or we’ll have Jetson-type aircraft making the recently completed 485 loop obsolete.” – Cheryl Richards, Central Piedmont Community College

“In 2026, Mayor Hugh McColl abstains from a vote regarding the rezoning of the corner of Trade and Tryon for the new 200-story building for the Bank of the World.” Mac Everett, retired Wachovia executive

“In 2026, our population will have no racial or ethnic majority.” – Michael Marsicano, Foundation For The Carolinas

“This is going to be the hot spot for young professionals. New York City, it’s going to be out. Charlotte, totally in.” – Arden McLaughlin, Public Library of Charlotte

“We will have added 1.2 million people to our existing population. This will require an additional 575,000 homes in our community and median price will have increased from $200,000 to $600,000.” – Bill Daleure, Crosland, Inc.

Your turn. What do you see happening in this region in 20 years? Post comments here or e-mail me.

18 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I predict me (and thousands of people just like me) being of middle class income and background being priced and taxed out of a city I have seen develop over the past 35 years. Which upon further thought isn't such a bad thing, since no one in the city of Charlotte will have a southern accent, "soul Food" will be limited to Bojagles chains, and "sweet tea" will only be avialiable in 12 ounce plastic bottles. I will gladly relocate to a town where the traffic is less hectic, taxes are reasonable, and the sweet tea is brewed fresh...

3:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't say it any better than mrafternoon.

3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hope mrafternoons prediction comes true.

4:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bring 'em on !!!!
My $200k investment going to $600k. I like that !!
Uptown retail, more amenities, WOW a real city FINALLY.
By the way, Soul Food is nothing more than margarine filled, fried, fat back laced vomit. Why on Earth would you put such poison into your body ?You can keep your "sweet tea" as well.
Bring on my home boys from the North. Bring on the good restaurants. Bring on the people that will "tell you like it is" instead of talk behind your back.
I have lived here for 18 years. I've suffered enough.
Charlotte has lost its Dixie for good.
Got to love this place !!!!!!!!!!

7:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with the previous poster. The people here suck. People moved here because they had to or it was cheap. Now it isn't as hick, so more people are starting to come, and this place will finally turn into a real city with real people.

12:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My prediction is that all the hicks, confederate losers, and mobile home parks will all be gone and pushed furthur out so nobody has to deal with them anymore (except for the cows - poor cows).

12:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mary Jo Betty Wilson,

furthur ????????????

Please, please, PLEASE, we agree with you but please proof read your writing. Makes us city people look bad.

1:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The middle class will be priced out of housing, taxed out of affording to live here, and our modest neighborhoods will be surrounded by scatter site public housing and Section 8 slums. We will be virtual prisoners in our homes as the thug population runs rampant. The oh-so-politically correct mayor might, in 20 years, admit we have a crime problem.

3:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I predict people will still be bitching about Yankees and taxes.

12:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah but you will only have to read it via these posts. No bitching and complaining Rednecks will live in the city limits in 10 years.

2:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank the Lordie Lordie above.

9:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with mrafternoon. If the shoe were on the other foot and we Southerners moved en masse to (insert Yankee town of your choice here), they'd resent it too. They would feel like their history and way of life were being taken away, that no one spoke Yankeespeak any more, and why was everyone eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead of Dunkin'? Of course, we all know that the Yankees are down here now because of all the jobs we have here and that their hometowns sucked so bad that even they didn't want to live there any longer. The old saying is true: If it was so great where you came from, then why don't you go the hell back? I'm a native Charlottean, and I tell it like it is.

1:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In 20 years, there will be over a million people in Charlotte proper with about 3 million in the metro. Uptown will be close to a critical mass with close to 40,000 residents, and over 100,000 office workers. There will also be major retail in uptown. Light Rail will be a huge success. Charlotte will be well on its way to becoming one of the best cities in the country.

4:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Native Charlottean or is that "naive" Charlottean ?
First of all you need to take a course on life you total fool. The "Yankee" wouldn't mind it a bit if Southerners moved into town. Wake up Buddy, NYC is a melting pot. They don't care if your North, South, East or West. Hell, you can be from another galaxy and you are welcome there.
As far as your beloved Krispy Kreme's go I have no idea what you are talking about.
Krispy Kreme came to town (NYC) a few years back and was all the rage. People couldn't get enough. But over time the tried and true will stand and Dunkin is still king. Dunkin is actually moving into areas and Krispey is moving out. Check the stock market Bozo. We LOVE international food. Bring it on ! From everywhere. I even love Charleston style shrimp and grits if it's done right.
You see, Northerners are not afraid of change, something new and different. We embrace it. That's why some of us moved South. We love the challanges in life. The reason you don't move anywhere is because you are the exact opposite. You are weak, cowering and lack any self esteem.
So stay in your little closed minded world. Just leave the rest of us the Hell alone.
This is not intended to be a blanket statement for all Southerners. Just he jacka$$es like the one I am commenting to. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

8:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do believe if the present city management ,city council and city Mayor dont change with the flavor of the city ,we are all in trouble; Charlotte should look for a Person for all these positions from a larger city than Charlotte; With a person with a larger city experience they can get us through the tough spots ahead. Charlotte is in DEEP DEEp doo doo; Roads needed, schools needed and airport do over coming soon , we are talking huge tax increments People. Im talkin New Yprk city style taxes coming to a city near you.

8:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Charlotte will either get smarter as it goes or will learn from its mistakes which it has been doing for a while now. Light Rail getting a RED light from the People. One more cost over run and out it goes , to bad . The Freeway thy started 22 years ago still not finished and not in the fore see able future. GANGS moving in here faster than Normal citizens. LOOK out LOOK out.

8:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fewer angry ignorant rednecks, hopefully and thankfully.

Property values tripling-good.

200-story Bank of the World-excellent.

Taxes will be high, eliminating many if not most of the angry and ignorant rednecks. NC will pass some sort of Prop 13-like legislation.

9:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Leigh,

Aren't you so proud that most of your newcomer posters are such hateful human beings?

That's truely what we have to look forward to in the future.

11:04 PM  

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