ANNUAL REPORT 2017

YEAR IN REVIEW:SHAPING TOMORROW’S URBAN FUTUREWhat a great year we’ve just concluded in University City! What an exciting year has just begun for Tomorrow’s Urban Center!

Barely a week passes without word of new jobs, construction and property sales. Investors nationwide are snatching up commercial properties like The Arbors, Grande Promenade, One University Place and 401 McCullough.

New construction driven by the LYNX light-rail line is transforming North Tryon Street from The Pointe at University Place to University City Apartments.

Across I-85, University Research Park employers including AXA, GoHealth and Duke Energy are adding hundreds of workers plus space to house them.

And have you visited campus lately? “An unprecedented level of construction” is under way or starting soon, declares University Vice Chancellor Phil Jones. The $101 million Science Building is just the start!

University City Partners has had our collective hands in much the activity - from championing city and state bonds to working with stakeholders on plans to transform University Place and areas near our LYNX stations and the future Cross Charlotte Trail.

We won’t stop now. Look for UCP to drive discussion and action about transportation planning, urban parks, a new library and “placemaking” for our Emerging Urban Center.

Tomorrow? It’s here.

Darlene HeaterExecutive Director

Stuart ParksChairman of the Board

University City’s Wine Festival - Courtesy of Winning Images!

WHO WE AREOur Mission - University City Partners is a 501(c)4 not-for-profit corporation. The organization’s mission is to create, develop, sponsor and support projects, programs and initiatives that build and sustain the economic vitality of University City.

Our Vision - University City will be a vibrant, people-oriented place that is urban in scale and design. Energized by light rail, it will be popular and accessible destination for everyone. It will offer diverse and unique choices to LIVE, WORK, PLAY, LEARN and INVEST.

PROGRAM OF WORKRecruit, Retain & Invest - Foster and support job and business growth, an active real estate market, retention initiatives, and efforts to enhance the live-work-play environment.

Market, Communicate & Activate - Effectively brand University City, build awareness and promote an accurate, clearly defined image of its attractiveness.

Envision, Plan & Develop - Lead initiatives involving the community, UNC Charlotte, Carolinas HealthCare System University Hospital, government agencies, developers, and other stakeholders in planning improvements to transportation, infrastructure, and amenities.

Research & Support - Produce actionable data and research to support the growth and development of University City.

Convene, Communicate & Advocate - Convene University City’s various stakeholder groups to help University City Partners better understand community issues and needs and build consensus to grow and sustain economic development in University City. Ensure University City’s interests are represented in key decisions and investments.

Administrate & Govern - Implement nonprofit best practices for governance and operations.

BUDGETIn FY17, University City Partners invested $752,252 of revenue in the community. The chart below illustrates the use of funds to implement the FY16 Program of Work. Audited financial statements are available on our website at: www.universitycitypartners.org.

Paddleboat rides at Shoppes at University Place - Courtesy of Virtual Scan3D

Economic Development

Planning & Development

Events

Marke�ng

Administra�ve

Contribu�on to Capital Investments

Capital Projects

7%

19%

7%

12%

20%

31%

4%

ACCOMPLISHMENTSEnvision, Plan and ImplementPlanning for Development• Hired a consultant in partnership with six

property owners to create JW Clay Station Area Plan. Now leading to implementing short term recommendations for road infrastructure, park land and library sites. Ongoing efforts in collaborating with private owners to advance development with meeting aspirations of plan.

• Staff worked with property owners to develop University City Station Area Plan, convening government officials, providing guidance, resolving issues to achieve the best outcome for all parties.

• Sponsored ULI design competition to advance development concepts for Ucity Station Area Plan; resulting in seven design concept plans and a broader recognition of the changing face of University City.

• Conducted ULI technical assistance panel for the Tom Hunter Station to provide recommendations for station transition and future development.

• Completed a planning charrette for the Cross Charlotte Trail trailhead/crossing at Harris Blvd and University City Boulevard, tapping twenty-one private and municipal planning professionals and twelve student architecture students; now implementing short term recommendations.

Advocating for Infrastructure• Facilitating the transfer of University Research

Park road ownership from NCDOT to CDOT.• Expanding Mallard Creek sidewalk project to

a multi-use trail, requiring additional state funding; requesting land easements for trail

from all property owners• Expanding a multi-use trail through Crescent’s

mixed-use development providing bike/pedestrian infrastructure from Mallard Creek to I-85 (URP side of Mallard Creek Church Rd).

• Acquiring easements for 95% of University Research Park greenway and all greenway trail connectors to Mecklenburg County Park and Rec.

UCP also:• Submitted applications to City sidewalk

retrofit program for missing sidewalks East of I-85.

• Facilitated City/owner discussions for a new LaGranger intersection; recommended multi- use trail solution to meet setback challenges.

• Designed and will soon install city and state approved vehicle and greenway wayfinding signs for University Research Park.

• Made repairs and improvements to greenway to bring to quality standard for receipt by Park and Rec.

• University City Partners presented at numerous meetings to share news on major construction projects and progress, growth and development in University City and public safety strategies.

• University City Partners wrote and shared 131 newsletter stories, deployed targeted communications through social media, actively pitched stories and responded to media inquiries. We tracked 52 positive news media stories in 2016-17.

• Public safety continued to be a focus for University City Partners. We worked collaboratively with CMPD and UNC Charlotte Police to convene meetings to address safety issues.

One University Place - Courtesy of Trinity Partners

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Recruit, Retain and DevelopNew and Expanding Business Development• University City submarket realized a 9%

vacancy rate for the year and achieved property sales topping $647 million since 2015.

• Provided market information and influenced several development rezonings to better reflect the vision for University City.

• Coordinated the sale of a 5 acre property in University Research Park (owned by UNC Charlotte) to the City for tree save.

• Successfully managed the landscape maintenance and upheld covenants of the University Research Park.

Convene, Communicate and Advocate• Produced annual event in partnership with

CRI, successfully engaging business partners.• Executed annual Economic Development

partners meeting at Fox Sports including UNC Charlotte, City, County, Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte Regional Partnership

and State Economic Development Partnership.

• Produced actionable research including Economic Development Report and University City new urban center data collateral

University City Partners produced these events:• Healthy University City Race Series with

9 races, all benefitting local, regional and national nonprofit organizations.

• Wine Vault University City Wine Fest benefitting University City library and the Sugar Creek Community Library.

• Race 2 Educate 5K benefitting the CMS public schools and students in University City, raising $37,000 in scholarships this year.

• Charlotte Kids Fest launch event announcing Charlotte KidsFest presented by TIAA and UNC Charlotte to be held October 28, 2017.

• University City Partners continued to support through sponsorship 14 local events adding vibrancy to the community.

Volunteers at Race2Educate 5k - Courtesy of Chick-fil-A

Charlotte Kids Fest coming in October 2017

UNC Charlotte Wheels - Courtesy of UNCC

Ann Clark speaks at UCity Connect meeting

Shoppes at University Place

PROGRAM OF WORK PRIORITIESUniversity City Partners FY17-18 Program of Work includes initiatives and investments in marketing and branding, economic development, planning and development, and convening, communicating and advocating for University City.• Advocate for 100% completion of the Blue Line Extension including

aesthetic and safety features• Blue Line Extension Transit Connections• Business Recruitment and Retention • University City Vision, Brand & Evolution• New Events: - Wine Festival - Charlotte Kids Festival• Public Art Investments• Research• Transit Station Development• Transportation & Mobility Projects

- North & South I-85 Bridges- JW Clay Streetscape Project- McCullough Extension and Streetscape Project- Mallard Creek Church Road Mobility Improvements- Rocky River Road Streetscape Project- Cross Charlotte Trail

• University City Connect Business Engagement• University City Parks Plan Implementation• University City Transit Area Plan Implementation • University Research Park Area Plan Implementation• Master Planning: JW Clay & University City Blvd Stations, and Cross

Charlotte Trail• Retail Focus on local/regional businesses

BLE transit station stop at UNC Charlotte - Courtesy of UNCC

VISIT OUR WEBSITEFollow our story by visiting www.universitycitypartners.org

LEADERSHIPEXECUTIVE COMMITTEECHAIRStuart ParksOwner and Managing PrincipalThe Arden Group

VICE CHAIRTracy DodsonVice President Office ServicesLincoln Harris

TREASURERBill LeonardPresidentCarolinas Healthcare Systems University

SECRETARYMichael BarnesAttorney at LawBarnes Law Office

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAIRRyan WetheringtonVice President of Corporate ServicesAllen Tate Relocation

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT CHAIRMatt BrowderOwnerBrowder Group Real Estate

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBetty DosterSpecial Assistant to the Chancellor for Constituent RelationsUNC Charlotte

Bob WilhelmVice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, Charlotte Research InstituteUNC Charlotte

Bobbie ShieldsPrincipal and OwnerShielb PLLC

Debra CampbellAssistant City ManagerCity of Charlotte

Elizabeth McMillanDirector of DevelopmentCrescent Communities

George DunlapMecklenburg Board County Commissioners, District 3

Greg PhippsCity CouncilDistrict 4 Representative

Michael FungRegional Leader, Corporate Properties GroupWells Fargo

Jane WuPrincipalCarolina States Regional Center

John McAlisterGovernment RelationsElectrolux

Kati HynesVice President, Economic DevelopmentCharlotte Chamber of Commerce

Lat H. PurserSenior Vice PresidentLat Purser & Associates

Leslie JohnsonAssistant County Manager for Sustainable CommunitiesMecklenburg County

Ron KimbleAssistant Special ManagerCRVA

Paul PetrExecutive DirectorUniversity City YMCA

Phil NicholenkoVice President Finance Operations & Corporate ServicesTIAA

Shannon DixonEVP of Asset Management, Development & LeasingCasto

STAFFDarlene HeaterExecutive Director

Tobe HolmesPlanning & Development Director

Janelle GoodrichProject Manager

CONTRIBUTORSAmy DoughtenWebsite & Social Media

Rich HaagJournalist

InternsMYEP and UNC Charlotte

Students in lab at UNC Charlotte - Courtesy of UNCC

UNC Charlotte Cheer Squad - Courtesy of UNCC

Neighborhoods of University City

Chess & Checker Board at Shoppes at University Place

UNC Charlotte Students

ANNUAL REPORT 2017