Good morning! Today is Friday, July 17, 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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Hi Ledger readers, it’s Ashley. How often do you think about sidewalks? I know which streets in my neighborhood have sidewalks (and which don’t), but my thought process usually ends there. One longtime uptown resident decided to walk two dozen miles over the course of several weeks to catalog, document and even grade the sidewalks of uptown, a fascinating project that The Ledger’s Lindsey Banks delves into in today’s lead story. We’ve got a couple more mobility-related stories in today’s lineup, not to mention a few business-y headlines. Enjoy, and Happy Friday!
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A longtime resident walked 24 miles to survey uptown sidewalk conditions. With awards for the ‘Worst Eyesore,’ ‘Pride Leadership’ and ‘Pride Slide,’ he graded 493 sidewalks.
The sidewalk in front of Ally Charlotte Center (pictured left) was observed as the best-kept stretch in uptown. The vacant site near the Charlotte Convention Center on MLK Jr. Boulevard was deemed the worst-kept sidewalk in the city’s center. (Photos courtesy of Publius Carolinus)
by Lindsey Banks
For about eight weeks this spring, one uptown resident spent his daily strolls doing something most people would never think to do: grading sidewalks.
The resident, who has lived in uptown for 25 years, walked roughly 24 miles around the district, block by block, documenting everything from cracked pavement and weeds to grease stains, landscaping and overflowing trash. The result was a detailed report rating sidewalks throughout the city’s center — intended to start a conversation about who is responsible for keeping them clean.
He wishes to remain anonymous and goes by the alias Publius Carolinus, a nod to “Publius,” the pseudonym used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay in The Federalist papers. Like those writers, he said, he wanted to focus on the ideas rather than the person behind them.
The Ledger received the 30-page “Sidewalk Pride Score Report” this week and spoke with Publius Carolinus himself to learn more about it.
Manufacturers dominate Charlotte area's best-performing stocks in first half of 2026
Large manufacturers based in the Charlotte area accounted for four of the five local stocks that had the best first half of 2026.
REAL ESTATE WHISPERS
Real Estate Whispers is our weekly look at commercial real estate development, debates and debacles — with plenty of scoops and information you won’t find anywhere else.
💰 Another financial services company is eyeing a big expansion in Charlotte
🏨 Where a new-to-market Hilton hotel brand has signed on locally
🍞 Where home-based bakery Team Rose Bread with a big local following is expected to expand
💵 East Boulevard buildings under new ownership
🏗️ 440 South Church is the latest uptown tower to get renovated (plus, renderings!)
📝 A wrap-up of land deals and real estate news from us and other sources
First phase of Charlotte’s $25B mobility plan to address bus frequency, road projects
A plan for the future of how Charlotte citizens get around is beginning to fall into place, although some projects will be underway far sooner than others.
Over the next 30 years, the additional 1% local sales tax that was approved by voters in the fall and went into effect on July 1 is expected to generate $19.4B. This amount, in addition to $5.9B from matching federal transit grants, will result in $25B+ for transportation in the Charlotte region.
“That’s the largest economic development effort in our region, essentially in the state as well,” said Ed McKinney, special assistant to the city manager for mobility, at a Rotary Club of Charlotte meeting earlier this week. “So this is a huge shift in how we fund transportation.”
Self-driving company Waymo replaces its fleet of Charlotte cars
Waymo Ojai vehicles are parked in Charlotte. (Photo courtesy of Stephen Addison)
Waymo autonomous vehicles aren’t yet driving Charlotte streets without a human behind the wheel, but its local fleet has a new look.
A Waymo spokesperson confirmed there are approximately a dozen Ojai vehicles operating autonomously in Charlotte with trained specialists behind the wheel.
“The next phase will be fully autonomous operations for employees, who will provide feedback on the ride experience before we welcome our first public riders,” the spokesperson told us. The Ledger inquired about a timeline for that next phase, but that information was not provided.
When Waymo rolled out in Charlotte in February, its fleet included about a dozen Jaguar SUVs.
The Waymo Ojai is a robotaxi by the company that Waymo describes as “a living room on wheels,” with a low step and a flat floor. Although spacious, Ojai models can hold up to four passengers. The Ojai will be the first vehicle to include Waymo’s sixth-generation Waymo Driver, which has an upgraded autonomous hardware and software system from its predecessors, according to the company. The new model also saves the company more than 50% compared to its fifth-generation system, according to an Automotive World report from earlier this year.
Chinese electric-vehicle company Zeekr is manufacturing Waymo Ojais. —Ashley Fahey
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
TODAY: “The Friday Table: Curated July 17 Community Dinner,” 7-10 p.m., at a location to be announced. The Friday Table will host its monthly curated community dinner series on Friday, July 17, spotlighting local culinary and creative talent. Attendees will experience an exclusive menu crafted by featured Chef Briean Lyles of Peppervine, along with an art showcase by multidisciplinary creator and community advocate Brittany Freeman. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. $63.87/ticket.
SATURDAY: “Queen City Questival,” 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at University City Regional Library, 5528 Waters Edge Village Dr. The Queen City Questival is an extraordinary, free festival that connects the diverse Charlotte gaming community. This event is all about celebrating that gaming is for everyone. Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for the day with literacy activities, board games, tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG), Pokémon, video games, cosplay, workshops and so much more! Free.
SATURDAY: “‘Remaining Native’ - Movie and Talkback,” 4:20-6:30 p.m., at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St. Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Native American runner, struggles to navigate his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as the memory of his great-grandfather’s escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present and future. Join The Independent Picture House for a movie and post-film discussion with Brittenay Causieestko-Lee and Dr. LaTanya Bowman. $10.50/ticket.
JULY 26: “Discussion with Author Patricia Joslin,” 2-3 p.m., at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Rd. Park Road Books wants to celebrate Patricia Joslin and her book of poetry, “No Packing Necessary, Poems for the Solo Journey,” with an in-person discussion. You will be able to purchase the book and have it signed by the author. Free event. Books are available today.
In brief
Overall crime dips in first half of 2026 but homicides are up: According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s midyear public safety update, overall crime in Charlotte fell 16% during the first half of the year, with declines in both violent and property crime driven by proactive policing and community partnerships. But homicides rose 3% compared with the same period last year, and police say youth-related crime remains a focus. (WSOC)
Public schools face repair backlog: North Carolina public schools face more than $10B in unmet construction and repair needs, and a state grant program funded by lottery revenue can cover only a fraction of the requests. State leaders remain divided over whether more funding should come from the state or local governments. (WUNC)
Air quality triggers a Code Orange: Mecklenburg County is under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert as Canadian wildfire smoke and ground-level ozone reduce air quality. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions, are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor activities. (WCNC)
Excelsior Club coming down for rebuild: Work has begun to clear the site of Charlotte’s iconic Excelsior Club after developers determined the aging structure could not be saved. A new mixed-use venue honoring the club’s legacy is planned to open in 2028. (WCNC)
Lake Norman home sets new sales record: A waterfront estate in Cornelius sold for $15.25M, establishing a new Charlotte-area home price record and topping the previous mark set in May by the late Doug Lebda’s Quail Hollow mansion. (Charlotte Business Journal, subscriber-only)