Our Vision for Downtown

Downtown Charlotte stands strong as our community’s foundation—a gateway to our history, our home, and our hope for what is to come. From a rich history of trials and triumphs, a new energy surges throughout Downtown. The ten blocks offer a refreshed appeal of historic beauty, a compelling creative hub for unique arts and entertainment, and a welcoming destination to a myriad of residential spaces, businesses, and eateries. With an engaged community from all walks of life, Downtown Charlotte magnifies an alluring and proud combination of past, present, and future—resulting in a place that truly creates a memorable experience for families, residents and guests.

Meet The Team

Keisha Howe, President; Reflections Boutique

Melissa Randall, Vice President; Studio Market Place

Kelli Garrett, Treasurer; Oasis Realty

Sam Davis, Secretary; Eaton Pub

William SaintAmour, Cobalt Community Research

Cindy Gaedert-Gearhart, The Country Journal

Elena Reed, Independent Bank

Dawn Nowlan, Nowlan Travel by Dream Vacations

Brad Stark, Stark Concrete Solutions

Annie Williams, Executive Director, CharlotteRising

Things to Know

We Empower. We Inspire. We Do.

We talk the talk. And we walk the walk. From day one, we have been a community-driven organization dedicated to bringing about real change. Our volunteers are the superheroes that move us closer to accomplishing our mission, and much of the positive change circulating throughout downtown is because of them. They operate through 4 Action Teams, empowering, inspiring, and advancing all corners of our downtown that make it the foundation of our community.

Economic Vitality

This team is all about strengthening our existing economic assets while creating more to build a diverse, strong district of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and consumers, i.e.:

• analyzing market forces

• providing a balance commercial mix

• business retention, expansion, and recruitment

• supporting housing options

• downtown business/property directory

• shopping incentive programs

• developing infill space

• adaptive reuse of vacant/underused properties

Design

This team is all about capitalizing on and enhancing the physical nature and aesthetic of downtown to create an appealing and inviting atmosphere for people to live, work, and play in, i.e.:

• facade improvements

• placemaking

• historic rehabilitation

• street furniture and decorations

• public art

• design services

• facade grants

Organization

This team is all about building a consensus between the many vested stakeholders in the community to ensure that everybody is mobilized, engaged, and working towards a similar vision of downtown, i.e.:

• community partnerships

• downtown event collaboration

• fundraising

• volunteer recruitment and management

• volunteer toolkit

• public relations

• organizational structure leadership

Promotion

This team is all about delivering a positive message and image of downtown to instill pride, activity, and investment throughout the community and region, i.e.: 

• downtown brand campaign

• social media campaigns

• special events

• event marketing

• promotion for downtown business/property happenings

• newspaper articles

• earned media