North Charlotte Today

The City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the six towns within Mecklenburg County (Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville) recently concluded meetings about the region’s mobility initiatives. Those meetings led to the creation of draft legislation proposing the establishment of a regional transit authority and a one-cent sales tax increase to fund updated mobility plans.

In anticipation of a potential public vote on the one-cent sales tax increase, we have assembled the following information to help keep Charlotte and Mecklenburg County residents informed.

Part of guiding the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s continuous growth is managing traffic and congestion by expanding transportation (roads) and public transit (buses and rail). The City of Charlotte has several initiatives including the CATS 2030 Transit Plan, the Charlotte 2040 Plan, the Strategic Energy Action Plan, Vision Zero among others that require additional transportation funding to be successful.

A one-cent sales tax would generate more than $19 billion and allow the region to potentially access nearly $6 billion in federal grants and other revenues to create a nearly $25 billion fund for roads, buses and rails. It would be the largest project in North Carolina's history. Additionally, 30% of the sales tax would be paid by people who don’t live in Mecklenburg County (commuters and visitors/tourists).

A one-cent sales tax is projected to generate $19.4 billion. Another $5.9 billion could come from federal grants and other revenue sources. That $25+ billion would go towards building road infrastructure in Charlotte and other towns in Mecklenburg County. This would expand the bus system and build out high-capacity transit corridors across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Without more revenue, there is currently no solution to expand transit in our region.

There are two parts to the Silver Line: The western portion would go from Uptown Charlotte to the Airport and potentially further west; The eastern portion would go from Uptown Charlotte through East Charlotte to Matthews. The Silver Line East is one of six high-capacity transit corridors in the CATS 2030 Transit Plan (Red Line, Blue Line Extension, Gold Line East, Gold Line West, Silver Line East, Silver Line West) and is projected to be the most expensive project – costing half of all projects' total expected cost.

The Silver Line to Matthews has not been eliminated. The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) has not cut or changed its mode. The 2030 Transit System Plan is currently not fiscally constrained; upon confirmation of potential funding amounts there will be an updated version including fiscal constraints. Development of this plan will be a public process before going to MTC for consideration. Ultimately MTC will decide on alignments and modes.

The acquisition of Red Line is fundamental part of 2030 Transit Plan recommended by MTC since 2002 as commuter rail from Uptown Charlotte to Huntersville Cornelius Davidson Mooresville towns City pursuing path forward since recommendation actively talking with Norfolk Southern owner railroad purchasing Red Line since 2021 In July 2023 received word Norfolk Southern willing consider possible transaction met numerous times August series small group closed sessions discuss purchase September vote authorize Purchase Sale Agreement PSA Comprehensive Rail Agreement CRA acquisition completed September authorized

Current Transit System Plan adopted CATS policy board Metropolitan Transit Commission MTC not updated reflect potential sales tax funding discussed publicly However public engagement essential part process anticipated begin winter Now draft legislation proposed released work update financial capacity important point current fiscally constrained updating necessary expected Staff launch process next calendar year detailed evaluation community forward outreach gather input intend proceed next steps updates ensure transparent inclusive work stakeholders develop fiscally constrained approval serve roadmap advance

Mecklenburg County City considering resolutions support significant number municipalities pass developed county city shared North Carolina General Assembly passes allow referendum put ballot residents vote

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