North Charlotte Today

The Beatties Ford community, Charlotte Urban Design Center, and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation have collaborated to establish a public open space at Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library. The space was unveiled on Tuesday, May 7, with city and county officials, library representatives, and Knight Foundation members in attendance for the celebration.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I am so excited to see this beautiful gathering space come to life in one of our Corridors of Opportunity." The initiative is part of Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity program, aiming to strategically invest in six corridors across the city.

The project was made possible by a $225,000 Knight Foundation grant, which supported improvements at the library and the intersection of Beatties Ford Road and LaSalle Street. Marcellus Turner, CEO of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, highlighted the significance of the open space project in enhancing community connections and shared experiences.

Charles Thomas, Knight Foundation's Director in Charlotte, emphasized the foundation's commitment to supporting resident-centered development in the Historic West End. The city's Urban Design Center engaged with local residents to gather feedback for the project, resulting in a design centered around a 16-year-old Nuttall oak tree as a focal point.

The open space features a deck with fixed and movable seating surrounding the tree, a mixed-media mural, a kinetic sculpture, and a new pathway connecting Holly Avenue to the library's entrance. The project aims to provide a welcoming environment for individuals and families to relax, reflect, and engage with the community for years to come.