The Red Line is Coming! The Red Line is Coming?

BY MELISSA ATHERTON

Mike Collins interviewed CATS CEO John Lewis on Monday during WFAE’s Charlotte Talks. CATS is currently studying the $6-8 billion dollar addition of rail service to Matthews, Lake Norman and the airport - all at the same time. The proposal spurs many questions for Lake Norman area residents. Why is it necessary? How will it be funded? Where will it be located? How would it affect our neighborhoods?

According to Lewis, the rail line is necessary for the Charlotte region to remain competitive with places such as Atlanta and Orlando. He stated that 44 people move to the area every day, and they need a “system of mobility options.”

The CATS 2030 vision was established in 2002 and was funded by a half-cent sales tax.  The tax increase funded the bus system, but as for rail it finded only the Blue Line and its extension.  There is no more money for a Red Line to Lake Norman.  Lewis stated that the project could potentially be funded by a penny sales tax increase. He said the “math is getting difficult” due to decreased funding from federal and state sources. This would force the project to further rely on rail-related economic development for revenue. Translation: apartments, retail, hotels and offices along the Red Line corridor.

The study is considering where the rail would be located.  Norfolk Southern, a for-profit corporation, owns the existing railroad and uses it for freight purposes that are not compatible with sharing.  Two additional options are adding the rail down the center of I-77 or finding an alternative corridor. Would this involve the large-scale use of eminent domain?       Lewis admitted a negative consequence of the rail system is the associated new development which increases the cost of living.  This leads to displacement of people and gentrification.  Affordable housing has become a problem in Charlotte areas impacted by the rail system.

What would this look like in Davidson?  Will the future Main Street and Potts-Sloan-Beaty connection be lined with hotels, apartments, retail and offices?  How would it affect the residents living in West Side neighborhoods?  Will the forthcoming Mobility Plan take the future Red Line into consideration even if its actual implementation is still very much uncertain?    These are all major questions Davidson residents need to consider.

Make sure to attend the Mobility Plan Community Conversation next Thursday, 2/8, from 6-8:30 pm at Davidson United Methodist Church.