Good morning! Today is Wednesday, September 9, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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ALMOST A BIG CITY
Charlotte has a glittering skyline, pro sports, a thriving dining scene and plenty of other big-city amenities. It's what boosters, business leaders and elected officials have long chased. But does Charlotte act urban, or more like an expanse of suburbs knit together by traffic congestion?
In this four-part series, longtime local journalist Mary Newsom analyzes some of the cultural, structural and historical reasons that hinder Charlotte's ability to function effectively as a big city.
Here’s what’s been published so far this week:
To read today’s installment in full, you’ll have to become a paid subscriber. And why not? Not only will you get to read Mary Newsom’s series in its entirety, but you’ll get access to The Charlotte Ledger’s full suite of newsletters — including Ways of Life and Real Estate Whispers, which are only available to paid members — and subscriber perks like newsroom events. Plus, you’ll be supporting The Ledger’s mission to provide smart, thoughtful and essential news and information about Charlotte.
Fast growth in a city that avoided big-city ways keeps Charlotte stuck behind the wheel
Traffic on I-485. Charlotte roads, while not as congested as those in other cities, are becoming a bigger frustration for residents as the city booms. (Photo by Nancy Pierce)
by Mary Newsom
We’ve all been there. Maybe on Providence Road at 5:45 p.m. on a random Wednesday, trying to change lanes as a tank-sized SUV cuts you off. Maybe heading south on I-77 at 6 p.m. on a sunny Sunday, with Lake Norman extruding vehicles fore and aft.
Charlotte traffic is not as bad as in many larger cities. But when you’re stuck behind a line of vehicles snaking as far ahead as you can see, it’s an annoying reminder that Americans’ love affair with the car can lead to our collective loathing of traffic.
Charlotte’s a city of 965,000 in a county of 1.2 million people. Congestion is inevitable, and no city has yet managed to “solve” traffic. Please stop waiting for that to happen here.
With that said, things are even worse in Charlotte than they might have been. We’re a big city now, yet much of Charlotte was built as if it would never get, well, big. Big cities offer multiple ways to get around: mass transit, walkable and bikeable streets and that essential but often overlooked necessity, multiple streets that connect. Until recently, Charlotteans and city leaders didn’t demand the things to make even this now large and congested city more livable.
The city that always wanted to grow has let itself get built as if it would never grow.
Excepting only the comparatively small older areas of uptown and nearby neighborhoods, most of Charlotte is a vast patchwork of suburban-style neighborhoods. And starting about 1960, neighborhoods have been designed as if they’d always be at a city’s edge, with no need to handle big city traffic.
This is a story about roads not taken.
ALSO THIS WEEK IN THE LEDGER
Remembering a 38-year-old killed while jogging; How Kwamé Ryan has changed the Charlotte Symphony
Our main Ledger newsletters are taking a break to make way for this special series.
But you might enjoy articles from a few of our other regular newsletters published this week:
WAYS OF LIFE
Ways of Life is our obituaries newsletter honoring friends, neighbors and family members who made an impact on Charlotte through the ways they lived their lives.
Katherine Lamberth, pictured with her family
Remembering Katherine Lamberth
Katherine Lamberth was only 38 when her earthly pilgrimage ended. While out for her morning jog on June 4, Katherine was crossing East Third Street near Presbyterian Medical Center when a driver ran a red light and struck and killed her. “She had it all, except for the years,” says her father, Ron.
🎭 TOPPMAN ON THE ARTS
Local arts criticism — from touring Broadway shows to community theater and museum exhibits — from longtime critic Lawrence Toppman.
Charlotte Symphony music director Kwamé Ryan is sticking around through the orchestra’s 100th anniversary season.
Critic Lawrence Toppman says the bigger story is how Ryan has energized the orchestra, expanded its repertoire and raised its profile well beyond Charlotte.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12: “6th Annual Upcycled Fashion Show & Fundraiser,” 6-9 p.m., at Blume Studios, 904 Post St. Join ArtPop Street Gallery for an extraordinary evening where art, sustainability and high fashion converge! From multiple pieces of locally crafted upcycled fashion, premier guest speakers, live art auctions and more, this one-of-a-kind event boasts an unforgettable experience for all involved! Registration required. $150 General Admission. $200 VIP.
SEPTEMBER 17: “Boarding School Fair,” 6-8 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal School, 750 E. 9th St. Trinity Episcopal School will host a boarding school fair for students and families exploring options for high school. Representatives from more than 30 boarding schools will be available to offer insights on the boarding school experience. The evening begins at 6 p.m., with a panel discussion, followed by an information fair from 6:30-8 p.m. Free.
SEPTEMBER 21: “DISCover Ultimate Half-Day Camp,” 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews, 2425 Sports Pkwy. DISCover Ultimate Day is an opportunity for middle schoolers and high schoolers to learn the basics of ultimate frisbee in a simple, fun and interactive way. This event is “Pay What You Can.” Free and low-cost options are available and range from $0-$30.
SEPTEMBER 27: “Cheers Jen Cheers,” 1-4 p.m., at OpenTap, 5010 Carmel Center Drive. Join The Go Jen Go Foundation for football, food and fun at its annual Cheers Jen Cheers tailgate celebration. Whether you buy a ticket, donate a silent auction item or be a sponsor, your involvement provides critical financial support to local breast cancer patients and their families when they need it most. $50.