Proposed University City entertainment district on council’s agenda

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a change in the meeting schedule for the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

An entertainment district in the University City area — anchored by Topgolf — tops the agenda for Tuesday’s Charlotte City Council zoning meeting.

Charlotte-based Cambridge Properties is proposing to build a four-story apartment building with 350 units on a 50-acre site near Ikea and MacFarlane boulevards, The Charlotte Observer’s Gordon Rago previously reported.

“University City hasn’t had anything that allows people to stay there,” Cambridge president Jay Priester told Rago last month. “If you want any entertainment, you have to leave.”

The project is about a quarter-mile walk from the University City Boulevard light rail station.

The zoning meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Government Center.

During its strategy session Monday, City Council will get an update on the Picasso landscape exhibition slated for the Mint Museum Uptown next year.

The exhibition “Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds” will run from mid-February to late May in 2023, although the final dates remain fluid, Mint Museum spokesman Clayton Sealey told the Observer’s Catherine Muccigrosso.

Also scheduled for Monday’s meeting is an update on the creation of “social districts” — where people can openly drink alcohol in outdoor spaces. Several North Carolina cities already are finding the districts boost business, Muccigrosso previously reported.

The council’s strategy session begins at 5 p.m. The meetings will be broadcast on the Government Channel and the city’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

▪ Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners: Members of the board will participate in the N.C. Association of County Commissioners’ Assembly Day in Raleigh on Monday and Tuesday.

School’s (almost) out for summer

The school year has ended in some Charlotte-area districts, including Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools and Gaston County Schools. However, students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools still have a few days to go.

While classes are over for CMS students Wednesday afternoon, there’s still a matter of graduation ceremonies for high seniors.

CMS will hold graduation ceremonies at Bojangles Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, Spectrum Center and UNC Charlotte’s Halton Arena from June 11 through June 16. Find the full lineup at https://bit.ly/3NoNEhC.

The early and middle college programs, and Metro School, have already held their ceremonies.

Return of Charlotte Summer pops

For the first time since 2019, the sounds of summer return to Symphony Park — and other parts of the Charlotte area.

The Charlotte Symphony kicks off its “Summer Pops” series next Sunday with “Swing Into Summer,” a tribute to the big band era. Other Sunday night shows this month include tributes to Hollywood musicals and operatic masterpieces.

This season, tickets will be sold as seated pods. A four-person pod is $100 and a six-person pod is $150.

Performances begin at 8:15 p.m. at Symphony Park at SouthPark mall.

The symphony also will make its debut at Little Rock AME Zion Church with an uplifting program that will feature works that “unite in challenging times.” That show is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 401 N. McDowell St. Little Rock AME was founded in 1884 and has been located in uptown for more than 100 years.

Stumptown Park in Matthews also will host the symphony, with a free outdoor concert at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. It’s a preview of next Sunday’s big band show.

From CharlotteFive

▪ Head to PlantHouse for a tipsy terrarium workshop. Learn the basics of air plant care and terrarium assembly, then make a 6-inch terrarium to take home. 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets: $26 (alcohol not included in ticket price). Purchase tickets via Eventbrite. PlantHouse, 2452 Park Road, #Unit D. https://bit.ly/3t9D1qD

▪ Detroit rapper Babyface Ray will perform for a standing-room-only crowd at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets: $22-$82. Purchase online. The Underground, 820 Hamilton St.. https://livemu.sc/3wXA5P9

▪ Learn the art of writing fiction and how to get published at the “So You Want To Be a Fiction Writer” workshop with Paul Reali of Charlotte Center for Literary Arts on Thursday. This event is part of the Book Buyers’ grand reopening celebration happening from June 6-12. Free. Register via Facebook. Book Buyers, 3040 Eastway Drive, Suite. B. https://bit.ly/3N9LRwM

Sports in Charlotte

▪ Charlotte FC returns after soccer’s international break and last week’s stunning firing of coach Miguel Angel Ramirez. Interim coach Christian Lattanzio will lead Charlotte into Saturday’s 3 p.m. match against New York Red Bulls at Bank of America Stadium. The game will air on ABC and ESPN Deportes.

▪ The Charlotte Knights hit the road for a six-game series at Louisville starting Tuesday night.

▪ The Carolina Panthers wrap up the voluntary portion of organized team activities this week. A mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 14-16.

▪ The Premier Lacrosse League brings its eight teams for four matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium just outside uptown on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Don’t Miss

▪ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Doobie Brothers will bring their 50th anniversary tour to PNC Music Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets start at $22.

▪ Hip hop stars Jeezy, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Ja Rule, Trina and DJ Iceberg headline the Legendz of the Streetz. The tour stops at Spectrum Center at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $70.

Compiled by Rogelio Aranda

This story was originally published June 5, 2022 at 6:45 AM.