Uptown Charlotte streetlights get a Duke Energy overhaul. Here’s the plan
Lighting for uptown streets are starting to get a much-needed makeover.
In a joint update on Thursday with the city of Charlotte and Charlotte Center City Partners, Duke Energy detailed progress of the Tryon Street Refresh project. This initiative marks the first phase of a broader effort to modernize urban lighting with LED technology, significantly improving visibility and walkability throughout the district.
The cost of the project was not disclosed. It’s expected to be completed by July or August.
“We live and work in this community, and we’re proud to help make these public spaces more vibrant,” said Sasha Weintraub, Duke Energy’s executive vice president and chief customer officer. “Our goal is to create a better daily experience for everyone who spends time downtown.”
Project to light up ‘first date’ with Charlotte
City leaders emphasized that lighting is about more than just aesthetics; it is a critical component of public safety and economic growth.
Charlotte City Council member Dante Anderson described the uptown experience as a vital introduction to the city.
“It’s where we work, dine and celebrate together,” Anderson said. “I often say that when visitors come to our city center, it’s like their first date with the Queen City. That experience could encourage them to come back — or choose not to. We want them to say ‘yes’ to Charlotte.”
Council member Malcolm Graham added, “We’re not just improving how the area looks, but enhancing how it feels — brighter, safer and more welcoming to everyone.”
By the numbers: Brighter lights for uptown Charlotte
To prepare for the upgrades, Charlotte Center City Partners conducted a lighting audit of public and private spaces. Simultaneously, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Department of Transportation and Duke Energy surveyed outdoor lighting within the Interstate 277 loop.
The audit revealed:
- Total lights: Approximately 2,900 fixtures currently illuminate the uptown area.
- Current status: 62% of these are already LED due to recent maintenance or new construction.
- The goal: The remaining 38% currently use older, less efficient technology and are slated for replacement.
The first phase of the project focuses on Tryon Street, from Carson Street to 12th Street, which was chosen for its heavy pedestrian traffic.
Improving Tryon Street
Planned upgrades for this corridor include:
- 179 new LED fixtures, including roadway, decorative teardrop-style and pedestrian-scale lights.
- Smart control technology: New streetlights will feature digital monitoring, allowing Duke Energy to receive automatic alerts when a bulb fails.
“In the past, we usually waited for members of the public to notify us when a light was out,” Weintraub said. “With these new controls, we will know automatically and can respond much faster, without waiting for a customer to report it through our app.”
What’s next for uptown Charlotte?
Once the Tryon Street phase is complete in about eight months, the project will expand to 30 additional streets within the I-277 loop.
City officials will determine the priority of these streets based on safety needs and traffic patterns.
More on Duke Energy
Headquartered in Charlotte, Duke Energy serves 8.4 million customers across the Carolinas, Florida and the Midwest. These local infrastructure improvements come as the utility rapidly expands its operations.
In a recent earnings call, the company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $4.9 billion — a 7% increase year over year.
To keep pace with the massive power demands of the artificial intelligence boom, Duke Energy has outlined a record $103 billion, five-year capital plan through 2030, with significant investments earmarked for the Carolinas.
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
