Neighborhood Watch: Historic West End
Charlotte’s West End brings together past, present and future
Charlotte’s Historic West End brings together a rich legacy and bright future as Charlotte’s oldest surviving African-American neighborhood and as the center of recent economic development planning led and shaped by the community.
Anchored by Johnson C. Smith University, this Historic West End includes several neighborhoods but Biddleville and Seversville in the West Trade/Beatties Ford Corridor from I-77 to NC-16 find themselves at the epicenter of much of the current activity.
In 2015, community leaders approached Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP) about starting thoughtful economic development efforts in the community. Center City Partners was awarded a Knight Foundation grant that same year to kick off the work. Stakeholder engagement with key West End leaders birthed the Historic West End Initiative Tactical Plan.
The Historic West End Tactical plan details out three key themes that CCCP works closely with community leaders to help plan their efforts: engage, prosper and enjoy.
Under the three themes, neighbors, community leaders and CCCP seek to work with key organizations that include JCSU and city government to help connect people and places of significance, support business growth and create memorable spaces for interaction.
Make a trip to Historic West End in the next few weeks and seek opportunities to take in the energy this neighborhood is experiencing, including the upcoming Soul Junction festival that celebrates the Historic West End’s legacy as a longstanding gathering place for arts, music, food and culture.
Tour and Explore Mosaic Village — 1601 West Trade Charlotte, NC 28216
JCSU opened Mosaic Village in Oct. 2012 to help revitalize the portion of Historic West End spanning from Center City to the university’s gates. The project was the brainchild of the Beatties Ford Road Task Force, a university-led group of businesses, developers, residents and city authorities who are charting the course for revitalizing the West End. You’ll find business and eats along the first floor of the complex. It’s also a short walk to the main area of JCSU’s campus, where you can explore some of Charlotte’s most fascinating west side history. The Charlotte B-Cycle station located on campus also provides offers a convenient bike share option for those who choose wheels over walking.
“Go Green” along Irwin & Stewart Creek Greenways & Seversville Park 610 State St, Charlotte, NC 28208
If nature is your favorite you might explore a stroll in historic Seversvillle along the Stewart Creek Greenway, which connects with the Irwin Creek Greenway for up to 2.9 miles of walking. You’ll be able to take in a different angle of Charlotte’s skyline from this stroll, altogether different from what you would experience anywhere else in the city.
Experience Soul Junction at Liston Hall, JCSU — Use 100 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Not far from the Charlotte’s famed Five Points intersection — where West Trade, West 5th, Beatties Ford and Rozelles Ferry Rd all meet, JCSU and partners of Historic West End will host Soul Junction, an annual two-day festival Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 16. This marks the second year of the free celebration designed to honor the traditions of the past, while serving as a bridge to the future. Five Points is slated for major improvements in the future to improve walkability and connectivity throughout the area.
Stay up to date on everything happening in the Historic West End by visiting http://westendclt.com/.
