The Market

In recent weeks a lot has been said about the shape of real estate markets across the country and here in the Charlotte. Also, the pundits have chimed in on the effect that tighter credit will have on real estate. I found this in USA Today and this in the Charlotte Observer. Yes prices are down in some areas and yes the tightening of the money supply will have some effect. Yet if you are buying in an area in which you want to live and purchase a home which you can afford (note: I said a home you can afford) you will do fine even in a tight market. Uptown Charlotte still has good buys and values are still strong. This is true for other areas of the city as well.

Charlotte Shout

September is just around the corner and so is Charlotte Shout. Make plans to attend one or more of the many varied events which celebrate the Arts, Food and Music. There is something for every taste whether you enjoy the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Beer & BBQ or anything in between. Click here for the complete list of events.

New Center City Parks

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation will host a series of three community workshops to hear comments from citizens about the vision and design of two new parks in uptown Charlotte: New West Park and Second Ward Park.

NEW WEST PARK: This workshop will be held at 6pm, Monday, August 13, 2007 at Johnson & Wales University’s Hance Auditorium , 801 West Trade Street. New West Park is now envisioned on a 5.2 acre site is bounded by Mint Street, Church Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard and Third Street. This is a new site expected to be available after the much publicized “land swap” to provide a site for an uptown baseball stadium. Mecklenburg County has $9-million dollars in bond funds to design and build this park.

SECOND WARD PARK: The site for this park would also come from the proposed land swap for the baseball stadium. Second Ward Park will be developed on part of the current site of Marshall Park and of the CMS Education Center. The County has allocated $6 million dollars to develop this park. It will be approximately 3.9 acres and will incorporate the old Second Ward School Gymnasium.

A series of three workshops will be held at 6pm at Johnson & Wales University’s Hance Auditorium, 801 West Trade Street on each of the following evenings:

• Monday, August 13
• Monday, September 10
• Wednesday, October 3
  

Bon Odori Festival

The Japanese Association of Charlotte will host the 23rd annual Bon Odri arts festival on Saturday, August 4, 2007. The event takes place in Uptown Charlotte at the Wachovia Atrium on South Tryon Street. Organizers expect more than 3,000 people to attend the festival which runs from 11am to 5 pm. Features include traditional Japanese art, crafts, food, games, dancing and performances. The Japanese Association can be reached at (704) 333-2775.