‘Not an easy decision.’ Financial issues force WFAE to leave uptown offices

WFAE, Charlotte’s public radio station, is moving out of its uptown office in the spring because of funding cuts and declining corporate support, the NPR-affiliated organization announced Friday.

The station has had a presence in uptown for nearly 20 years, and has been in the historic Philip Carey Building next to First Ward Park for three years.

The media outlet is planning to move all its work back to its main University City building at the corner of W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street. WFAE made the decision to leave its First Ward Park site based on a strategy to close a nearly $1 million gap this year, according to the station.

“This was not an easy decision, but it’s a necessary one as we navigate the financial challenges brought on by the loss of federal funding, declining corporate support and a nearly $1 million budget gap this year,” said Candice Johnson, executive director of membership and major gifts, in am email to WFAE 90.7 FM members and supporters.

Friday’s announcement was the latest setback for the station.

In the summer, WFAE cut its staff by six people after Congress passed a bill that included $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a major funding source for NPR and PBS stations across the country. Close to 40 people are employed at the station.

The station said Friday it will continue to expand its presence around the region through events, talks and programs. The relocation from First Ward Park in uptown is important to help the organization remain viable now and in the future, said WFAE President and CEO Ju-Don Marshall in a statement.

“The revenue losses we are experiencing require that we reevaluate our priorities, including having a permanent uptown location, to ensure that WFAE’s ability to serve the Charlotte region remains strong,” Marshall said.

“However, we are committed to engaging the communities we serve by taking ‘WFAE Everywhere,’ including maintaining a strong presence uptown through various partnerships such as with the Carolina Theatre, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and UNC Charlotte.”

WFAE in uptown Charlotte

WFAE began renting the 12,000-square-foot building from Google Fiber in the fall of 2022. At the time, WFAE touted the move as a way to create a community hub, as Mayor Vi Lyles and other community and business leaders praised the station for relocating the majority of its University City locations to the prominent site.

The uptown building was built in 1907 and 1908 for the Philip Carey Company, which made roofing materials. Over the years, it has been used by different factories, a tavern and GFiber. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The move gave WFAE a chance to set up a permanent uptown studio for live shows and events. Some of those programs included The Power of Black Storytelling, Understanding Immigrant stories in a Changing Nation, Charlotte Talks Live broadcasts and WFAEats Chocolate tasting event.

WFAE studios have been in the university area since the studio first went on the air in 1981, before moving off the University of North Carolina Charlotte in 1986.

The station also had a presence in uptown. WFAE operated a small studio space inside Spirit Square starting in 2006 for the Charlotte Talks show, but had to leave a couple years ago as major redevelopment for the 7th and Tryon mxed-use project began.

Work continues for WFAE

In the Philip Carey Building, WFAE worked with many local groups to hold events in the space, including Charlotte Center City Partners, the Lovin’ Life Music Fest, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the League of Women Voters.

Marshall thanked Levine Properties for supporting WFAE’s vision to have a place where residents could connect with journalists. In three years, the station hosted more than 5,000 community members.

Levine Properties is now working to secure a new tenant for the spot.

This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM.