1111 N. Davidson St. is an impound lot surrounded by apartments in the greater NoDa area. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
Atrium Health plans were revealed this past week for a new freestanding emergency room at North Davidson Street and Belmont Avenue.
What they're saying: Urbanist circles are chattering about how a 16,000-square-foot building with surface parking is not the best use for this 3-acre site in Optimist Park, which is within walking distance of the light rail and hundreds of new-ish apartments.
Clayton Sealey, also known as "CLT Development" on social media, says the plan prioritizes cars while exacerbating problems for pedestrians, with nearby Caldwell Street "often functioning like a high-speed roadway."
"A more thoughtful site design could better balance access, safety, and opportunities for additional small businesses or services that strengthen the urban environment," he adds.
The other side: In a statement to Axios, Atrium Health wrote that it needs to create additional access to care for the "more than 100 new people moving to the region every day" and will ensure development guidelines are met through the city's rezoning process.
💭 My thought bubble: This isn't the first example of how some new development is challenging progress in densifying parts of Charlotte, which is good for the environment and housing affordability.
