NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS Frequently Asked Questions October 2010     

What does this have to do with me? What are Municipal Service Districts? What is Charlotte Center City Partners? How does Charlotte Center City Partners work with Uptown residents? Case Studies: Westbrook Drive, Gateway Plaza, 230 South Tryon

What does this have to do with me? As an Uptown homeowner, the additional “special district” taxes on your property fund the programs and projects of Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP). CCCP requests feedback on their work through the Third Ward Neighborhood Association and other neighborhood associations in First Ward, Fourth Ward, and South End. This document is intended: 1. To elevate the understanding of Uptown residents regarding the special tax districts funding CCCP, and 2. To develop consistent communication and accountability between Uptown neighborhood associations and CCCP. What are Municipal Service Districts? Municipal Service Districts (MSDs) are a special tax overlay affecting a certain area. Similar to a Business Improvement District, an MSD adds an extra tax on property owners in that geography to fund programs and projects intended for the property owners’ benefit. Uptown Charlotte has three MSDs that provide funding for Charlotte Center City Partners. MSD #1 is applied to all taxpaying parcels Uptown (non-taxpaying parcels include churches and universities). MSD #2 and MSD #3 are applied as shown in the below map. Property tax bills for Uptown homeowners identify MSDs as Special Districts. Depending on your address, your bill will include MSD #1 only, MSDs #1 and #2, or MSDs #1 and #3. (Map and text continued below.)

245 Victoria Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28202 • third-ward.org

MAP COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS What is Charlotte Center City Partners? Charlotte Center City Partners’ mission is “the economic, cultural and residential development of the region’s urban core.” The organization’s annual programming initiatives include the Center City Green Market, Blues Brews & BBQ, and the Center City Vision Awards. Key CCCP personnel include President & CEO Michael Smith, Communications SVP Moira Quinn, and (most familiar to residents) VP of Neighborhood Development Darlene Heater. CCCP considers itself a convener of stakeholders. Taken as one, the approximately 13,000 residents of Uptown Charlotte and South End would be among the largest. CCCP occasionally takes public positions on controversial issues. These have included stances against the implementation of Coyote Ugly Saloon at the corner of Fifth and Church Streets, and against the implementation of an Uptown ABC store, both in Fourth Ward. More recently CCCP has revised its policies to emphasize its role as a convener. The organization intends to take fewer stances on controversial issues, but can do so upon the determination of the board of directors. (Continued)

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How does CCCP work with Uptown residents? Presently, residents interact with CCCP in the following ways:    

Two (of 38) members of CCCP’s board of directors/executive committees are Uptown residents (Rob Cummings and David Furman); Recurrent information-sharing meetings with the presidents of Uptown and South End neighborhood organizations; Regular visits from Darlene Heater at neighborhood meetings and events; Through appointment on various CCCP committees (transportation, schools, etc.).

CCCP has affirmed its intent to gather feedback on its projects and programs from residents of Uptown and South End through the respective neighborhood associations. The Third Ward Neighborhood Association will periodically highlight these projects and programs (which are generally well-known) through its website, e-mails, and Facebook page. Additionally, the [email protected] address has been established to be a consistent channel of communication for residents. Unless a resident states otherwise, feedback is kept confidential. Neighborhood associations are not funded by CCCP, but in certain circumstances associations and CCCP can work in partnership for the pursuit of grants. Case Studies Westbrook Drive Westbrook Drive is street of single-family homes in “classic” Third Ward. Among 37 total properties, it includes the new Metro 10 townhome development as well as several vacant residential lots. The tax value of the homes, in aggregate, is $5.6 million. As part of MSD #1 only, property owners pay 0.0174 per $100 of tax value. The annual MSD contribution of Westbrook Drive homes is $973, approximately $26 per unit per year. Gateway Plaza Gateway Plaza is a condominium building at 718 West Trade Street, created in conjunction with the Gateway Village redevelopment project. Tax records list 111 residential units with a total tax value of $21.1 million. As part of MSDs #1 and #2, owners pay the base 0.0174 per $100 of tax value, plus 0.0239 per $100. The annual MSD contribution of Gateway Plaza condominiums is $8,722, approximately $79 per unit per year. 230 South Tryon 230 South Tryon was recently converted from an office building into a high-end residential condominium building. There are 114 residential units listed in tax rolls, with a total tax value of $42.5 million. The building’s location fronting South Tryon Street places it in MSD #3; owners pay $0.0386 per $100 of tax value in addition to the base rate of 0.0174 per $100. The annual MSD contribution of 230 South Tryon is $23,808, approximately $209 per unit per year.

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