Headlines for week ending: Sunday, February 14 2010

(2.11.10) It’s complicated being ‘green’
CHARLOTTE — The owners of Charlotte’s first “green” public building, ImaginOn, recently analyzed its energy use and got a surprise. The sleek children’s theater and library, which is owned by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system, was a victim of its own success. Unexpected popularity extended its operating hours - and doubled its expected energy use. Engineering consultants say ImaginOn still saves thousands of dollars a month compared to a standard design.

(2.10.10) Jury finds Charlotte Housing Authority negligent
CHARLOTTE — Negligence by the Charlotte Housing Authority led to an elderly woman’s 2007 death at the hands of a crack cocaine addict, a jury ruled Tuesday. Attorneys sued the agency on behalf of the estate of Eva Dunlap Green, 63. She was strangled three years ago in her ninth-floor apartment at Charlottetown Terrace, a public housing complex for the elderly and disabled near uptown. Her 46-year-old neighbor Kenneth Cyrus - a man attorneys said has a history of violence, drugs and mental illness - was convicted of her killing.

(2.10.10) Project powered by garbage
CHARLOTTE — Some Mecklenburg commissioners endorsed plans Tuesday for an ambitious green-energy industrial park on the Catawba River that would include a $300 million power plant fueled by shredded garbage. Forsite Development, which puts vacant industrial properties to new uses, faces unusual challenges in developing its ReVenture Park in northwest Mecklenburg. The 667-acre site it has agreed to buy from Clariant Corp. is a Superfund hazardous-waste cleanup site.

(2.10.10) Whitewater center’s lenders give it a break
CHARLOTTE — The U.S National Whitewater Center announced Monday that lenders have forgiven roughly two-thirds of its $38 million debt, a move that the center’s director said would position the center for long-term financial success. Since its opening in 2006, the nonprofit center has been able to turn a small operating profit - but hasn’t come close to making a dent in its construction debt.

(2.09.10) Regional partnership’s spending questioned
CHARLOTTE — Faced with a $250,000 deficit, Charlotte Regional Partnership chief Ronnie Bryant stood before his bosses last July and put his job on the line. The economic development group, which gets half of its $3 million budget from state and local taxpayers, was seeing cuts in state and private dollars. It needed to cut more costs or raise more money. Bryant said he’d plug the hole himself. “I said it would rest on my shoulders,” he recalls.

(2.09.10) CMS panel: Access to AP classes is unequal
CHARLOTTE — Students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s high-poverty schools face an “opportunity gap” in access to college-level classes, says a report from a citizen advisory panel being presented today. Students at several low-poverty suburban schools can choose from more than 20 Advanced Placement subjects this school year, while students at four high-poverty schools have fewer than 10, the report says.

(2.08.10) Mecklenburg commissioners all will seek re-election
CHARLOTTE — Filing for elected offices starts today, and all nine members of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners have told the Observer they will run for re-election. But they’ll face challenges. Democrats hold a 6-3 majority on the current board, and Republicans hope to change that balance. Some have said they blame past Democratic-led boards for rapid spending when the economy was healthier.

(2.08.10) Charlotte wins fast-train funds
RALEIGH — Federal railroad officials plan to spend more than $100 million to create a railroad superhighway through Charlotte. The money will build a bridge and redesign tracks uptown, clearing the way for both high-speed passenger rail and a future CATS commuter rail line. Plus, it will uncork the path for freight trains. “It’s a win, win, win,” said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, “not only for Charlotte but the entire state.”

Return to the Headline Archive