ECA 1-17 by Elizabeth Community

ECA Officers

ECA Board Members

Paul Shipley President 704 651 5897 Kenmore Avenue paul.d.shipley@gmail.com

Lauren Briggs At-Large 847 530 9419 East Eighth Street lwendorf@gmail.com

Jerry Tylman Vice President 704 953 0626 Kenmore Avenue jerrytyleman@icloud.com

Beth Haenni Past President 704 562 5152 Greenway Avenue beth.haenni@gmail.com

Rusty Gibbs Secretary 704 345 8209 Pecan Avenue rusty@thenicholscompany.com

Laina Kafiti Social Chair 216 577 7232 East Fifth Street lkafiti@cchrealtors.com

Ladd Van Devender Treasurer 704 641 0480 Kenmore Avenue ladd.vandevender@gmail.com

Kristan Magas Park & Recreation Liaison 704 488 0051 East Fifth Street kdm2201@gmail.com

ECA Special Projects

John F. McBride Newsletter Editor 704 375 8977 East Eighth Street john.f.mcb@gmail.com

Cory Arnwine Business Liaison 404 729 8823 Craftsman Lane carnwine@gmail.com Susan Green Newsletter Editorial Assistant and Proofreader 704 806 0568 East Fifth Street Susangreen8@gmail.com

● Home Tour position vacant Ken Magas Website 704 877 7151 East Fifth Street ken@kenmagas.com Officer David Padgett CMPD Response Area Coordinator dpadgett@cmpd.org Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com 2

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On the cover: Since 1973 musicians from all around the world have come to our neighborhood to play the Double Door Inn. No more. The legendary blues club closed for good in January and just like that one more irreproducible slice of Elizabeth is nothing but old pictures and memories. Read Kris Solow’s story on the Double Door elsewhere in this issue. Photo by John McBride.

Claire M. Short Communications 813 326 3223 Greenway Avenue claire.m.short@gmail.com Ric Solow Beautification & Trees 704 906 1967 East Fifth Street ric@solowdesigngroup.com Kris Solow Art Committee and Membership 704 806 4456 East Fifth Street ksolow@carolina.rr.com

● Zoning and Real Estate Committee position vacant

Back cover: If you’re not already registered to compete in the 31st annual Elizabeth 8K Road Race you still have time. Register online until March 22, and in person on March 23 and 24 at Hawthorne’s New York Pizza and Bar. On race day, it’s first come, first served until 7:45 a.m. And if you’re not taking part in race day festivities, consider allowing yourself a little extra travel time on the morning of March 25. You and the runners will be glad you did. Photo by Ken Magas.

Cory Arnwine (Ridgeway Avenue) is the newsletter advertising czar.

Kay Minor (East 8th Street) is a gardener.

Jim Belvin (Clement Avenue) heads the ECA Zoning and Real Estate Committee.

Juliann Sheldon is a public and community relations specialist for the Charlotte Area Transit System.

Susan Green (East 5th Street) is the copyeditor for the ECA newsletter.

Claire M. Short (Greenway Avenue) heads the ECA Communications Chair.

Mark Hames is a photographer from Lincolnton, NC.

Paul Shipley (Kenmore Avenue) is the ECA president.

Brandon Hogan is a certified arborist and qualified tree risk assessor for Heartwood Tree Service.

Newsletter designer Little Shiva (former Charlottean) thinks grassroots publishing is super fun. Yay team!

Jeff Jackson (Cranbrook Lane) represents N.C. Senate District 37.

Kris Solow (East Fifth Street) is in charge of membership for the ECA.

John McBride (East Eighth Street) is the newsletter editor.

Tim Whitmire (East Ninth Street) is a 17-year Elizabeth resident and cofounder of F3 Nation men’s workout group.

ECA calendar MARCH 2

ECA board meeting 6:30 to 8 p.m., Studio K Gallery 2024 East Seventh Street All are invited. MARCH 25

31st annual Elizabeth 8K Road Race 8 a.m., Hawthorne Rec Center Independence Park elizabeth8k.com/course-map-parking APRIL 6

M VOLUNTEER M elizabethcommunityassociation @gmail.com

This could be you! To contribute a little of your time and talent to the ECA newsletter, write to john.f.mcb@ gmail.com

ECA board meeting 6:30 to 8 p.m., Studio K Gallery 2024 East. Seventh Street All are invited. APRIL 22

Charlotte Council of Gardens plant sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1820 E. 7th Street Humane Society’s Pet Palooza Festival 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Independence Park. Live music, vendor fair and the 2K “Walk for the Animals” fundraiser. MAY 5

Deadline for spring 2017 ECA newsletter MAY 20

Rose Garden dedication and Elizabeth progressive dinner This year’s progressive dinner will start with appetizers at 6 p.m. in the Rose Garden, which will also feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the rebuilt garden. Details to follow! THE PEOPLE PAGES

From the president: ECA membership surges; Interest strong on Memorial Stadium by Paul Shipley

us more effectively communicate with you. When communitywide issues arise, we turn to our membership list to quickly and effectively communicate with you. It also helps identify neighbors who are willing to volunteer. If you haven’t yet become a member, please contact Kris at ksolow@carolina.rr.com.

the MLS survey, we sent a link to the survey to over 1,000 email addresses, and got 201 responses. This issue is clearly of high interest to you, and the 20% response rate reflects that – especially considering the short Since our annual meeting window we had to conduct the in September, the Elizabeth survey. Two-thirds of responCommunity Association and its dents were strongly supportive board have taken on a number or supportive of a MLS stadium of lingering issues surrounding In early December we held at Memorial Stadium. Twentymembership, volunteers, news- our annual Holiday Party at the letter advertising revenues, our Maddrey home on Clement. We three percent were strongly web site and how we effectively owe deep gratitude to Elizabeth opposed or opposed to the plan, communicate with our members and Winn for sharing their won- while another 11% were undecided. Look for more detail on and neighbors. derful house with us. ECA social this developing story elsewhere chair Liana Kafiti and her comFirst and foremost, I’d like to in this newsletter. mittee of stalwart “party throwthank you, our neighbors who ers” again provided us with a The ECA along with Historic have signed up as new (and lovely party while making it easy Elizabeth Neighborhood Founreturning) members in our ason our hosts. Be on the lookout dation members Clif Settlemyer, sociation. Your engagement – for details for spring 2017 ECA Dan Clodfelter, Micki Mcyour input, feedback and work events including the Progressive Donough, Sarah Crowder, Ken – allows us to continue to have a Dinner in May. Lambla and Melanie Sizemore strong voice in city and county issues. Speaking of engagement, Elizabeth 8K Road Race chair have worked with the county to try to get the best deal we can we recently added a new secre- Rob Zabel and his team have for the neighborhood – partary to our board of directors. been busy planning the 31st ticularly around protecting and Rusty Gibbs of Pecan Avenue annual event. This year’s race investing in Independence Park. volunteered to fill this longwill be bigger and better than vacant but crucial board post. ever – look for more details We understand parking and Please welcome Rusty when elsewhere in this newslettraffic concerns and we underyou see him. ter. As many of you know, our stand the community’s lack of neighborhood has been heavily trust in working with the county. I’d also like to offer a special involved since last fall with the We will continue to work hard to shout-out to Kris Solow, who has county and city on a possible protect Elizabeth, but we need taken on the monumental task Major League Soccer stadium your help. Please be on the lookof rebuilding our membership at the site of Memorial Stadium. out over the next few months for base. You have seen Kris or the any announcements or neighMany of you responded to a members of her volunteer team borhood meetings surrounding survey last October concernat just about every Elizabeth event signing up new members, ing the minor league soccer proposal, and then a few weeks updating email addresses for VOLUNTEER ago to a second survey on the current members and organizelizabethcommunityassociation @gmail.com ing our membership list to help MLS soccer stadium plan. For

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MLS bid would bring professional soccer to Elizabeth at Memorial Stadium site by Jim Belvin

On Jan. 26, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners voted 5-3 to approve the stadium funding plan and spend Lastly, be on the lookout for $43.75 million for construction, a new, updated website in the along with a financing package On Jan. 31, Marcus Smith, next few months as we continue in which the county would loan to improve the ways we commu- CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Smith $75 million. The loan submitted a bid to Major League would be paid back over a 25 nicate with you. There is still a lot going on in Elizabeth. Please Soccer to bring a franchise to year period. The county would Charlotte. If the franchise is feel free to contact me or any also give the 16-acre, $13 milgranted, the proposed 20,000- lion site to Smith free of charge. board member with thoughts, ideas or willingness to volunteer. seat, $175 million stadium will Charlotte City Council had And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to sign up as a be located on the site of Memorial Stadium and the Grady Cole planned to hold a public hearmember! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our best means of Center, requiring the demolition ing on Jan. 27 to vote on the communicating with you! of both structures. stadium plan, but cancelled Have a terrific 2017.

photo: John McBride

Independence Park regardless of whether Charlotte wins an MLS franchise.

Between Memorial Stadium and Grady Cole Center is a monument erected in 1929 commemorating the 39th Confederate reunion. No word on what will become of the monument if a Major League Soccer stadium is built on the site. The monument was recently encased in plexiglass after it was vandalized. THE PEOPLE PAGES

feel about the prospect of Major League Soccer at this site?” Of the 201 people who responded, almost two-thirds, 65.4%, either supported or strongly supported the prospect of MLS at the site. Here are a few of the 96 comments to Question 2:

The Grady Cole Center would also be torn down to make way for a Major League Soccer stadium.

after it was clear that a majority of council members opposed the deal. Reasons cited for the opposition were that the deal was moving too fast and there were concerns that funds of this magnitude were better spent elsewhere. As part of the stadium deal, and at the urging of the Elizabeth Community Association (ECA) and Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood Foundation (HENF), the county agreed to fund increased maintenance for Independence Park and spend $100,000 for a comprehensive master plan for the Park. The ECA and HENF would like to craft a strong plan that protects the park from future encroachment for the long term, that offers significant capital investment in the park today and includes sustained maintenance so that the park will hold up over time. The plan must also improve connectivity to the greenway. 6

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A special thanks goes out to Melanie Sizemore, Dan Clodfelter, Clif Settlemyer, Sarah Crowder, Ken Lambla, Paul Shipley and others for their leadership in working with the city and county. Respondents to ECA’s online survey about Memorial Stadium plans air their views by John McBride

“The property where Memorial Stadium sits is a prime location that is vastly underutilized. I believe a new stadium will be a needed catalyst for surrounding development.” “I support in general a full public use of this site including MLS. I do however see this as first a historical community site. It’s a great site that has an aura to it unlike anyplace else. Call me nostalgic but this is the people’s stadium with one of the great open views of the skyline… I have mixed feelings. Opposed for now.”

“I love the idea of having an MLS team in Charlotte and esIn January, the Elizabeth pecially love the idea of having Community Association emailed the team play at the Memorial Elizabeth residents to complete Stadium site. I think the success a five-question online survey to stories the MLS has had over help determine how the neighthe past 10 years in other cities borhood felt about the latest proposal for professional soccer. shows how great a product it is. I also think its important to realThe first question was: “About how long have you lived in Eliza- ize that this area will inevitably beth.” The second question was: be developed at some point in the future, and this option to me “While the stadium plan is not yet finalized, the concept is a new had the biggest upside for the 20,000 seat MLS stadium replac- neighborhood and city.” “How do we know that there ing Memorial Stadium and the Grady Cole Center. How do you is enough demand to support a

team? I have not seen any audience projections….” “I think this will destroy the wonderful neighborhood. I would not choose to live here anymore if this happens.” “I believe that it would be great for our neighborhood… You don’t have to go back very far to remember when the neighborhood was run down and neglected. An upscale project like this would go a long way to keep that from happening again.” “Will contribute to the ongoing urban revitalization of Charlotte and help make Elizabeth an active and vibrant neighborhood for decades to come.”

photos: John McBride

The third question in the survey was: “As part of this process, the county manager is committed to increasing the maintenance of Independence Park today and providing $100,000 in funding a comprehensive master plan with significant Elizabeth community input in a major updating and improvement plan for Independence Park incorporating the park, Elizabeth

Avenue, the new stadium area and its connectivity to the Greenway.The scale of the capital improvement recommendations in the next capital cycle (2018 – 2022) will vary based on whether we are constructing an MLS Stadium. Without a stadium reconstruction, the [capital expenditure] recommendations would be scaled back. Additionally, the county is negotiating with CPCC to create an easement across the green space under Kings Drive up to Sugar Creek, thereby insuring connectivity from Elizabeth, across Independence Park and to the Greenway. How do you feel about the county agreeing to fund increased park maintenance and $100,000 for a comprehensive master plan (and providing the capital funding for increased master plan outcomes in conjunction with the stadium development)?” An overwhelming majority of respondents, 81.6%, said they were either encouraged or strongly encouraged by the county agreeing to increased park maintenance and a master plan.

Here are a few of the 63 comments to Question 3:

“Independence Park should be a centerpiece of the city, but instead is almost an eyesore. Other parks have gotten a lot of attention, while Independence Park has sat deteriorating… It desperately needs a more focused, long-term plan whether MLS comes or not.” “I think it is sad that the county feels the park is worth maintaining only if this proposal goes through. The park (which includes the stadium), just by being a park, justifies the maintenance expense… The county should be working hard to preserve it, not develop it.” “A major reason to do this deal for me is increased focus and allocation of funds to the Elizabeth neighborhood.” “I don’t understand why increased maintenance and a master plan are only necessary if there’s a stadium. The need exists without a stadium. This is just a bribe.”

The field at Memorial Stadium from behind the scoreboard. THE PEOPLE PAGES

The fourth question was: “The county has negotiated with the team, and the team has agreed to pay $100,000 for a traffic and parking study if Charlotte is awarded a franchise. The ECA will have input into this study and any potential mitigants required. Additionally, the county and team have agreed to insure overflow parking does not intrude on interior Elizabeth neighborhoods. How do you feel about Elizabeth providing its support for the stadium plan today, without parking and traffic studies completed at this time?”

borhood cares about parking and traffic studies for the neighborhood, but we also care very deeply about not just taking parts of the park for parking. There is very little trust between residents of Elizabeth and the city and county because of their history of just taking what they want for CPCC and the hospitals.”

that soccer fans not park in front of our homes to loiter and create noise before, during and after events…”

comments left by survey takers to Question 5:

“Let’s not miss the opportunity to improve our neighborhood alongside this major investment from public and private participants. The stadium should not compromise our sense of security, quiet enjoyment or the fabric of our unique neighborhood….”

“I would note that my best friend assures me that, in Portland where he lives, the biggest status symbol related to their soccer team you can have is a pass to lock up your bike on the bike racks outside their stadium. “Traffic and parking issues are of major concern as an Eliza- I understand that Charlotte is light years behind Portland beth resident. While proceeding without a traffic study is not in terms of green initiatives… but I do see this as anecdotal ideal, it is not categorically required prior to proceeding with evidence that MLS attracts a different demographic that may the plan.” be amenable to doing things Less than half of respondents, “So we are going to study the differently… and that, if we help 48.7%, felt encouraged or very most obvious adverse impact AFto encourage those ‘different’ encouraged about providing TER the franchise is awarded?” tendencies early and often, the support without completed The fifth question was: Are latent concerns made obvious by parking and traffic studies. there any additional comments the above questions regarding Here are a few of the 76 that you would like to provide? parking issues could all be much comments left by survey Here are a few of the 101 ado about nothing.” takers to Question 4:

“We cannot agree to this plan We have no idea what impact parking, traffic and supposedly thousands of sports attendees will have on the neighborhood…. Doing a traffic and parking study after the fact is ridiculous.So the study determines there will be a very negative impact, and Charlotte has meanwhile been awarded a franchise, what happens?” “It’d be a bigger loss to the community if this plan didn’t move forward. Let Elizabeth be a center for this activity!”

“Reviving Memorial Stadium should bring new life to Independence Park… It obviously would also make the streetcar even more successful… Additionally, allowing a new entity to enter the Elizabeth/ “The new MLS team and staCharlottetowne/7th Street cor- dium will be a great amenity for ridor would keep CPCC and No- our neighborhood and contribvant development in check…” ute to the overall vibrancy of the community. Memorial Stadium “If MLS stadium is built, I is an excellent venue for it and would like to see signs erected on neighborhood street similar it will be nice to have it within to those on streets around Free- walking distance!”

dom Park that state “No Parking “Certainly the Elizabeth neigh- during events.” It’s important

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“This could be a big win for Elizabeth. Memorial Stadium is

70+ years old, aged and under utilized. Today it plays little to no role in Elizabeth community life and drives no economic development. What is being proposed would create a worldclass amenity on the edge of the neighborhood, act as an accelerator for growth on Elizabeth Avenue and nearby spaces, and increase the use of the Greenway as a transportation route. A win-win for all.” “Why there? No parking. No restaurants. Not convenient to uptown buildings. Not good urban planning… Alternative: Use the Hal Marshall site and let the Smiths pay for the entire stadium like the Richardsons did when they wanted to join the NFL.”

dating to the ECA and incorporated ever major ask… And without this plan it’s uncertain what plan could restore Memorial Stadium to its former glory. Now, when we get it built let’s get our Fourth of July fireworks back from Knights Stadium to its rightful home… INDEPDENDENCE Park.” “Elizabeth neighborhood needs to preserve its history. This plan does not support historic preservation.” 7th and Caswell update: Demolition starts in March for a smaller number of apartments by Jim Belvin

photo: John McBride

On Jan. 20, members of the Elizabeth Community Associa“Love that it will connect our tion met with the Faison team neighborhood to downtown bet- for an update on the upcoming ter. Soccer will bring a diverse development at the corner of set of fans including the Latino 7th Street and Caswell Road. community which is exciting…” Demolition on the site should “I think the city (well, anystart in March and will last apbody) should be wary of entering proximately 30 days. Faison into a partnership with Bruton Smith after the way he held Concord hostage by threatening to pull out of the area if they wouldn’t let him have his way…”

should have site plan permits from the county near the end of February, and building permits at the end of March. Their target market for the apartments will be 45- to 60-year-olds, and the units will have higher-end finishes than are typically used for apartments targeted for a younger demographic. Because of the target market, the apartment unit mix has been shifted to 51 two-bedroom apartments and nine one-bedroom apartments, for a total of 60 apartments. This represents a significant reduction from the 123 apartments originally proposed. Parking ratios will remain the same: apartments will still be required to provide one space per bedroom. Office areas will be parked at one space per 333 square feet. Retail areas will be parked at one space per 250 square feet, and restaurant areas will be parked at one space per 100 square feet.

“This seems like a major win for Elizabeth. The stadium is on the edge of Elizabeth and not in the way of any major residential areas. It will spur further development between the residential parts of Elizabeth and downtown… Further, the leaders of the project have been accommoTHE PEOPLE PAGES

Remnants of the blues: Musical mementos sold as the Double Door quietly closes by Kris Solow

able to carry it home.

photo: John McBride

$200 in the first ten minutes. The bulletin board that hung I arrived 30 minutes before behind the couch in the green the doors opened, hoping to get room with the 47,000 stickers ahead of the crowd. The parking on it had a price tag of $200, lot was mostly empty, and there but it was still there when they was no line. I saw a man headleft. They thought that was a Acquired by CPCC for a future ing into the back entrance, on bargain price because it was expansion project, the Double the ramp by the back porch. He always in the background whenDoor Inn – home of the blues in worked there, so I asked if they Charlotte and one of the oldest had any neon beer signs for sale, ever musicians were photoblues clubs in the country – has hoping to obtain one for our rec graphed in that room. A real memorabilia piece for someone closed its doors for good. room. He described a couple who had the place to put it since they had, which were not the Owner Nick Karres and his it was pretty large. ones I was looking for, and said brother Matt turned the old they’d open the door soon to let house at 1218 Charlottetown Finally, the man I had asked people in. Dr. into the Double Door in about the beer signs came 1973. Since then the building As I waited, a man and a out and announced that they has seen countless shows by couple showed up. The couple were now open, and we went bands from near and far. said that they’d been there in. If you’ve never been to the Double Door, it is dark inside – Its last day, Jan. 22, was a sad the day before and decided to dark wood flooring, dark walls, day to say the least. I decided to come back to see if the prices had come down on some signed beamed ceilings, low lights. Not check out the items they were a fancy place. I would call it a selling and auctioning, so I drove photographs that were going down there. I would have walked, for $100. They said the Double dive, back in the day. To the left Door parking lot sign, the one of the door were boxes on a table but didn’t know if I would end filled with heavy black plastic up buying a big item and not be with the red lettering, went for

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ashtrays with names like Kool, Winston and Camel on them. Then there were tables of posters and a table with tons of free CDs. They had a couple of pieces of brick veneer wall from behind the stage that sold for $25 each. Square pieces from the wooden stage, labeled, numbered and with a certificate of authenticity went for $25. Menus from when they sold food were free and plenty. Signed photos hung in simple brown frames on the walls with two screws. If you liked one, they came over with their electric screwdriver and took it off the wall for you. Photo with screws: $10. Tables of unframed signed and unsigned photos were $2 each.Then there was the silent auction table of signed photos of more popular and well-known artists along with starting bids. My husband was interested in the Koko Taylor photo but I couldn’t come back

when the auction was going to begin. I felt I did pretty well though – I got a signed Savoy Brown photo and three other unsigned photos. The first is of the Jeff Sipe Trio out of western North Carolina standing outside clearly showing the Double Door sign. The second is Jim Weider’s Project Percolators standing in front of one of the framed photo walls. Jim used to play with Levon Helms and The Band. And finally, one of Devon Allman’s Honeytribe standing on the stairs inside. Devon is the son of Allman Brothers lead man Gregg Allman. I also got a free blank Double Door membership card. How cool is that! I had the best experience being a part of such a poignant time, reflecting upon a huge piece of the Charlotte blues music scene that was world renowned. It will be sorely missed.

Jeff Jackson

The view from Raleigh: One legislator’s forecast for the 2017 General Assembly session by Jeff Jackson Editor’s note: Jeff Jackson represents District 37 in the N.C. Senate. Elizabeth is one of many neighborhoods in District 37, which stretches from East Charlotte to the Catawba River on the west.

The General Assembly 2017 session has begun. Odd numbered years are “long” sessions, lasting approximately 6-7 months. Even numbered years are “short” sessions, lasting roughly 3-4 months.

photo: Kris Solow

Here are five issues to watch for: 1. Redistricting. A federal court has ordered the General Assembly to redraw 28 legislative districts across the state – several of which are in Mecklenburg – and hold new elections for all affected districts in 2017. THE PEOPLE PAGES

The Supreme Court has issued a stay and may decide to hear the case, which would make 2017 elections less likely. Either way, I will be filing a bill to provide for independent redistricting to end gerrymandering. I’m proud to report that the effort has bipartisan support, but there is a major doubt as to whether top legislative leadership will allow the bill to come to a vote. This is a long-overdue measure that is essential to reducing the influence of politics in the redistricting process. 2. HB2. A bill to fully repeal HB2 has been filed. It sits in committee, unlikely to get a vote. However, it is likely that a majority of legislators are ready to repeal. Talks continue between Gov. Roy Cooper, Republicans, Democrats and the Charlotte City Council. I fully expect some action regarding HB2 will be taken this session.

harm (and property tax increases) to urban centers. Some version of this idea is likely to be back on the agenda this session. 4. Early Childhood Education. This is a bipartisan

area where both sides agree we need to do more. Don’t look for major new revenue dedicated to Pre-K and Smart Start, but there could be a bipartisan approach to laying some significant groundwork in anticipation of future revenue increases. This could be a bright spot for bipartisanship – and children across the state.

Q&A with new ECA secretary Rusty Gibbs of Pecan Avenue

5. Charlotte vs. General Assembly. In all honesty,

Q: What do you do for a living?

there is a significant amount of animosity held by members of the Republican majority toward the city of Charlotte. It will make accomplishing relatively simple things for Charlotte more difficult. I believe this animosity is misplaced and I will keep 3. Sales Tax Redistribution. working on building personal There have been recent attempts relationships with legislators to skim from the sales tax revin order to protect our city. enue generated by our state’s However, I think I can safely urban centers in order to redis- predict a few more bumps on tribute those funds to more that road this session. At the end rural counties. Such an effort is of the day, I work for you – not not without merit, as the divide them. As the session continues, between the urban and rural I want to encourage you to parts of our state continues to be in touch with me directly grow. However, recent attempts anytime. My cell phone number have been constructed in a way is 704-942-0118. My email is that would bring only minimal Jeff.Jackson@ncleg.net. Take assistance to rural counties but care and see you at the next would bring major economic neighborhood meeting.

Rusty Gibbs

A: Commercial real estate broker. Q: What do you do in your

spare time?

A: I love to collect vinyl records

and DJ.

Q: Tell us about your family. A: I met my wife Laura when

we were sophomores at Chapel Hill. We celebrated our 15th anniversary in September and have three boys, Mason, 8, and identical 4-year-old twins Holland and Lane. I am originally from Thomasville, NC and Laura moved to Charlotte, from Miami, when she was 6.

Q: How long have you lived in Elizabeth? A: Since 2011. Q: From where did you move? A: Laura and I worked in London

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after graduating from Chapel Hill. We then moved to Charlotte from London in 1999 and our first place was on the corner of 7th and Laurel. Q: Why Elizabeth? A: It’s been my favorite

neighborhood since moving to Charlotte and living in Elizabeth from 1999 to 2002. I love everything from the towering pine trees in the yards adjacent to Clement to being walking distance to some of my favorite spots in Plaza-Midwood. It’s just always felt like home to me.

Q: Favorite Elizabeth moment? A: My favorite memory occurred

in my first winter here in 2000. I remember Charlotte got a good six inches of snow and my neighbors, my wife and myself Elizabeth got its first made a snowman and had a snow introduction to the artist whose ball fight that night. work will adorn two street car stations in the neighborhood Q: One thing you wish everyone during a meeting at Hawthorne knew about you. Lane United Methodist Church A: I try to treat everyone the way (HLUMC) recently. I believe they want to be treated. About 20 people turned out to It’s the most important tenet of hear Amy Cheng describe her my life. approach to the project. The new CityLYNX Gold Line Phase II stations on Hawthorne will be at 8th and Sunnyside.

Q: How did you come to volunteer for the ECA?

At the Jan. 12 meeting, Cheng said she wanted to take a different approach than Nancy Gutkin O’Neil, the New Orleans artist who designed the artwork for the Phase I stations.

A: I had wanted to volunteer

since moving back in 2011 but my previous job required my attendance at a lot of after-hours meetings. With three young boys I didn’t want to over-burden my wife with another after-hours commitment as she has a full time job as well. Once my schedule became more flexible I volunteered for the board.

Q: What do you think are the three most important issues facing Elizabeth today?

Artwork for new streetcar stations: ‘Worlds Within Worlds’ by John McBride

“I wanted to convey a sense of mystery,” she said. “I wanted to take people into a more abstract, spiritual place – states of mind or a way of being that is very different from Nancy O’Neil’s.” Amy Cheng

A: 1. Making sure we don’t

lose the quaint character of the neighborhood through the coming commercial and residential growth. 2. Helping improve 7th Street from a pedestrian perspective. 3. Making sure people do not forget the history of this wonderful neighborhood.

Early draft (detail) of artwork for one of the new streetcar stations on Hawthorne. THE PEOPLE PAGES

of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Dozens of residents, young and old, from Elizabeth to the West End congregated to celebrate the beginning of the new street car connection. Phase 2 of the Charlotte Area Transit System’s streetcar project will extend the line east down Hawthorne Lane to Sunnyside and west to Johnson C. Smith University. When Phase 2 is done, the system will be four miles long.

Early draft (detail) of artwork for one of the new streetcar stations on Hawthorne.

Cheng calls her project “Worlds Within Worlds,” and said it will feature “soft, transparent colors – not assaulting.” The work will feature stamped concrete patterns on the platform as well as patterns in the stations’ glass.

amychengstudio.com. The projected opening date for the Gold Line Phase II project is late 2019.

“Over the next three years, Charlotteans will see many infrastructure improvements in conjunction with the laying of rail on three of the region’s arterial roads,” said CATS CEO John Lewis. “With patience and communication, we can ensure a seamless construction process.”

Throughout January and February, city staff met with representatives of the lead City breaks ground on contractor on the project, CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 streetcar project Johnson Brothers Corp., working Work on the project is on strategy and schedule. Once by Juliann Sheldon continuing. Part of her visit to finalized, CATS will make the Charlotte was to gain feedback public aware through electronic for her ideas so far but also to notification, social media posts Under overcast skies, local and get a better feel for the neighborand public meetings. national dignitaries helped hood and the people in it. Charlotte break ground on the As construction gets underway CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 Cheng, an art professor at the in the next few months, CATS project in early January. State University of New York encourages residents and at New Paltz, has completed Among those on hand, business owners to sign up for public art commissions in Boise, Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Notify Me on ridetransit.org. Brooklyn, Chicago, St. Louis, Roberts of Elizabeth, District 1 Through Notify Me, subscribers Seattle, Jacksonville, Los Angeles council member Patsy Kinsey can receive newsletters, public and Odessa, TX. of Elizabeth, and in his last meeting notices and road closure To get an idea of her oeuvre, visit appearance, U.S. Department information electronically. 14

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Cub Scout Pack 17 bands more than 200 trees in fight against cankerworm by Tim Whitmire

new and returning customers. Our tree banding website is currently closed, but we will re-open it in the fall for 2017 registrations. If you would like to be on the mailing list when For the second fall in a row, we go live this fall, please email Cub Scouts from Pack 17 (Christ pack17treebanding@gmail.com. Episcopal Church) were proud to lead the way in Elizabeth’s annual P.S. We will be coming around in the spring to remove the fight against the cankerworm. tree bands. If you read this and Scouts and their dads were out happen to be one of the people in force the first two weekends who didn’t register through the of December, in beautiful site but saw us on the streets in sunshine and driving rain, to band trees against the wintertime December and got us to do your trees on the fly, please send an climb of the cankerworm and email to pack17treebanding@ protect the neighborhood’s gmail.com so we can add you to beautiful canopy. our list for removal. We once again had great support Next threat to from the neighborhood, with Elizabeth’s tree canopy: more than 70 households signing up for banding services, A devastating insect from the north plus the entire Laurel Ridge condo complex. In all, we banded by Brandon Hogan more than 200 trees at prices significantly below those charged The emerald ash borer (EAB) is by professional tree-banding a devastating insect that’s been operations. headed our way from the Great The banding effort serves as Lakes area for the last 15 to 20 the pack’s annual fundraiser, years. It may be here already. with proceeds underwriting Most of the pests we deal with are pack events like campouts, ones that slowly affect the health an overnight on the U.S.S. Yorktown in Charleston and the and beauty of a tree. Most won’t even be the sole cause of a tree’s annual Raingutter Regatta and death, but EAB is different. Ash Pinewood Derby races. It’s also trees are the primary host and a chance to educate the boys about the environment and how once EAB is established in an area it will almost certainly kill communities work together all unprotected ash trees. to solve problems that affect common community goods, like If you have an ash on your the Elizabeth tree canopy! property, this spring would be Thanks to everyone who the time to begin treating to supported us this year, both keep the tree healthy. There

are several different methods for treatment and two different products that can be used. One provides one year of protection and the other provides two years of protection. Once that window of protection is over the tree will need to be retreated every one to two years depending on the method. If you’ve traveled to other parts of the country where EAB has already done its damage the effects are pretty striking. Countless numbers of dead ash trees lining roads, street and on private property. Here are five EAB signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for: 1. Dead limbs in the top of the canopy. 2. Overall thinning

of the canopy.

3. Birds clawing away bark or woodpeckers in the canopy. 4. Small shoot growth (suckers) on the lower portion of the trunk or at the base. 5. D-shaped exit holes.

Wondering if you have any ash tree or how to identify one? Michigan State University has a great online ID guide https:// treedoctor.msu.edu/ash. You can also call Heartwood Tree Service at 704-525-3066 or visit www.heartwoodtree.com/ services/EAB.

M VOLUNTEER M

elizabethcommunityassociation @gmail.com THE PEOPLE PAGES 15

Plenty of soup for you: Soup lovers flock to Elizabeth to help out Hospice by John McBride

as last year, and the event raised $37,000 for Hospice. Next year’s event is scheduled for Jan. 28 at the Van Every building. Yard Yak: Guerrilla gardening and passing on peonies by Kay Minor For a few years now, thoughts of creating a garden club continue to manifest in the muscle between my ears. Nonexclusive, but neighborhood oriented, a vision with a mission. To make America colorful again. Together. Having planted the entire surface of available space on my small lot in Elizabeth, where shade once again dominates, the sunny alley behind our studio beckoned. A shared space common in old neighborhoods

photo: Mark Hames

This was the 17th year of the event, which benefits Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte, whose main office is on 7th Street in Elizabeth. “This has been a popular More than 800 people samcommunity-wide event for us for pled some of the best soups in 17 years now,” said Nancy Cole, town at the 17th annual “Soup Hospice and Palliative Care’s on Sunday” event at Central director of special events. “After Piedmont Community College’s all it’s a perfect match. Soup is Phillip Van Every Culinary Arts considered comfort food and Center in Elizabeth on Jan. 29. Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region provides comFor $30, attendees had their pick of as many soups and fort for those in need, those who bisques as they liked from such are experiencing the end-of-life journey.” restaurants as Fig Tree, FenIn addition to soup, there was wicks, Stagioni, Mert’s Heart and bread, pizza, popcorn, deserts Soul, Good Food on Montford, Brixx, Village Tavern, Red Rocks, and soft drinks. Handmade bowls from local artists and stuSante, Vivace and Dogwood Southern. 25 restaurants partic- dents were also available for purchase. Cole said 823 people atipated, along with five culinary tended, about the same number schools and three caterers.

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like Elizabeth, the alley often transforms spontaneously into an outdoor lounge for “chick chat” with my neighbors. Seating aplenty, we bask in the sun and delight in whatever nature show is evolving within arms reach. Like a lava flow, the garden spills forth left and right, just outside the back gate. A vintage porcelain bathtub, salvaged from our bathroom redo, overflows with bloom, rainbow-colored and hummingbird-friendly. Yellow and red cherry tomatoes hang just above, a trellised tangle of potential. Fragrant heirloom roses ramble up eightfoot locust posts, alongside dwarf butterfly shrubs, Joe Pye weed, true milkweed and various other natives. All in all, a fine and fitting spot for any modest-sized garden club to assemble. First order of business will be some serious seed bombing. You’ll need newspaper, soil that holds together well and some seeds. Make a fist-sized ball of soil, poke a hole and deposit seeds. Cover ball of soil with moist paper and let dry. Your ammo should be ready in a few hours or less. Secure some sling shots large enough to handle ammunition and map your attack strategy. Most folks prefer bombing from a car or truck. (Pulling a wagon full of evidence is not truly “under cover.”) I plan to borrow Kris Fetter’s convertible land yacht, with a designated driver, so the

rest of us can have a bit of bubbly while lobbing loot. Aim your weapon anywhere you’d like to see more plant diversity, color and abundance.

bad, we tether ourselves to one another with our stories. Like most book clubs, the conversation tends to wobble around, veering clear of intended subject matter. Naturally, the “alpha Next on the agenda may be hen” of a group will scoot us a perennial plant swap, the gift back on track. In general, we that keeps on giving. Any long remain focused mostly on the time resident of 8th St. rememquality of time spent together, bers Mrs. Dimos and her prolific not the quantity of any specific peonies. Living in the modest result achieved – which happily brick house adjacent to the waleaves plenty of room for the unter tower for many decades, Mrs. expected, unpredictable flow of Dimos loved tending and dividideas with comrades in crime. ing her treasured plants. The resulting show was breath-taking, Let’s hear it for a fragrant feast for free. Elizabeth’s Charlotte Marathon cheer station When her home was sold, the family invited neighborby Claire M. Short ing gardeners to fetch a few peonies. They are tubers, really, The votes are in! The 2016 with reddish “eyes” resting at Charlotte Marathon participants ground level. Mustn’t plant too voted, and the Elizabeth comdeep, require full sun and, ’tis munity took second place in the true, moving can be fatal. Mine, competition for best cheer staafter several years, are just now tion. Any organization may enter beginning to show off. Adrienne the contest, which shows off the next door has two large patches spirit of the city to runners, but of hillside pink mums from my competition is stiff amongst the mama’s garden, now long gone. neighborhoods through which Anyone with any amount of the course runs. shade has received a division of The ECA’s cheer party cast iron plant from my garden featured breakfast and drinks, here on 8th Street, but it origia sign-making station, a hulanated from Mrs. Cuthbertson’s hooping contest, and a DJ and lovely old garden on Ninth, emcee (thanks, Cooper Lambla!) directly behind us. A great time was had by all who While guerrilla gardening may came out, and clearly the not be your cup o’ tea, taking runners thought so too! the time to gather with fellow gardeners, in my experience, is The ECA first participated in always worth the effort. Catching this contest last year and also up on family events, good and won second place. THE PEOPLE PAGES

Final Standings in the 2016 cheer competition: 1st: NoDa Neighborhood Association ($1000). 2nd: Elizabeth Community Association ($500). 3rd: Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association ($500).

Elizabeth attorney honored for historic preservation work

Julie Haack, president of Donald Aren’t Hard to Find and JackHaack Diamonds and daughter alope Jacks are leaving. Others, like Crisp, have closed. of the award’s namesake. Now seems like a good time to ask you to please support our advertisers. It’s not just that our advertisers make this publication possible. It’s also that most In the face of rapid change, let’s stand by our of our advertisers help make our neighborhood businesses neighborhood what it is every bit as much as our residents do. by John McBride Erdman donated the $1,000 award money to the Charlotte Museum of History.

The Elizabeth neighborhood is changing rapidly. Stories David Erdman, founder of the Erdman and Hockfield law firm elsewhere in this newsletter ilon East 7th Street in Elizabeth, lustrate this clearly: The Double Door is gone, the streetcar line has been named the 2016 rewill soon extend to Sunnyside cipient of Metrolina Business Council’s Donald Haack Award and our park may host a Major League Soccer team. Also, neighfor Excellence in Community borhood institutions Heroes Involvement.

Case in point: Royal Gardens has been part of the fabric of this neighborhood since 1994. In the back of the house – built in 1913 – you’ll find Andrea Sweet’s office, where among other things she tracked the growth of a couple of neighborhood boys over the years by marking their height on the wall.

photo: Byron Baldwin > issuu.com/eca-charlotte/docs/eca2-08

Erdman was honored for his historic preservation work. He is a frequent lecturer, having delivered more than 225 presentations on the history, geography and future of Charlotte. He lives in Eastover and is a member of St. Johns Baptist Church, where he has been a deacon and a longtime adult Sunday School teacher. The award honors the late Donald Haack, a jewelry business owner and community leader. “David’s role as Charlotte’s historian is in addition to all his other selfless and numerous contributions and philanthropic efforts to better Charlotte and North Carolina,” said 18

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Mrs. Spoon inside her Hawthorne Lane shop, 1974

I take a great deal of pleasure in welcoming Royal Gardens back to our pages as an advertiser. If you’ve never been inside I urge you to stop in, say hello to Andrea, Lara and the rest of the folks and have a look around. I promise you’ll find something that tickles you. After visiting Royal Gardens, take a moment to cross the street and appreciate the urban garden at the Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs. It is a non-profit group of 16 garden clubs with a goal of spreading the word on horticulture, flower design and environmental topics. The headquarters, known as the Betty Little House after the CCOG’s first president, is available for weddings and social events. They are a long-time supporter of this newsletter.

photo: Nancy O. Albert

Perhaps no other Elizabeth business does as much for the neighborhood as Hawthorne’s NY Pizza and Bar, the original Hawthorne’s location. They are heavily involved in the Elizabeth 8K Road Race, and they supply pizzas and other dishes to the annual potluck supper at St. John’s Baptist Church every September. I’m a big fan of their eggplant parmesan.

HM Properties and Andy Vernon of Allen Tate, all of whom support this newsletter with advertisements. But we also are home to one of the city’s most innovative real estate companies: Savvy+Co. This year marks a decade for them on 7th Street, and they are a longtime newsletter advertiser and neighborhood supporter. Stop by to see Genevieve Williams and the other folks and ask how they’re coping with all the construction going on across the street and next door. I’d also like to welcome to these pages the UPS Store on Hawthorne Lane. Owner Andrew Oreste’s store has been my go-to spot for birthday cards for some time now. I can’t list every advertiser here, but I would like each advertiser to know that the ECA sincerely thanks you for making this newsletter possible. We couldn’t do it without you.

Lineberger mural

beth works against small businesses who thrive when rents are At the same time, I’d also like commensurate with earnings. As buildings are sold business to encourage Elizabethans to support local businesses wheth- owners often have no choice but er they advertise or not. A strong to fold or leave no matter how strong nearby support may be. neighborhood needs strong businesses. We’ve already lost Elizabeth is known to local great spots like VisArt Video, government officials as a politiLa-tea-da’s, Cuisine Malaya, cally-engaged neighborhood. We For many residents, the first Leo’s Deli, McMahon’s Shoes, want a say in how things change. introduction to Elizabeth came Cooking Uptown and too many Wouldn’t it be nice if we were from a real estate agent. Our others to mention. also known as a neighborhood of neighborhood has plenty of I don’t mean to imply that we intensely local shoppers? Maybe fine ones that live here – among them Laina Kafiti of Cottingham only lose businesses for a lack of we are, I don’t know. Ask a local Chalk Hayes, Steven Chaberek of support. The popularity of Eliza- business owner. THE PEOPLE PAGES

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ADVERTISE WITH US The ECA newsletter is hand delivered to residents, businesses and organizations around the historic Elizabeth Community. Advertising with us is a great way to promote your business. Cory Arnwine, ECA newsletter advertising czar carnwine@gmail.com John McBride, ECA newsletter editor john.f.mcb@gmail.com Little Shiva, ECA newsletter designer shivita@mac.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES: February 5 for the March 1 Spring issue May 5 for the June 1 Summer issue August 5 for the September 1 Fall issue November 5 for the December 1 Winter issue

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