Construction starts late this year to transform a gray block of Uptown into a lively retail destination and apartment tower overlooking Bank of America Stadium.

Why it matters: The $250 million Brooklyn & Church project, at 526 S. Church St., would be the first of its kind in Uptown, converting the 70s-era former Duke Energy headquarters into a mixed-use building.

• Charlotte-based Asana Partners and Washington, D.C.-based MRP Realty are behind the project.

Driving the news: The two real estate firms are trying to convince city and county leaders to approve tax incentives for the project.

• If incentives are granted, other developers may be motivated to accept the challenge of converting vacant buildings.
• Charlotte City Council has been receptive to the idea, but Mecklenburg County commissioners were reluctant because the initial pitch didn't include affordable housing.
• As of now, the apartments — with their stadium views, rooftop pool and concealed parking — are planned at market rate.

The big picture: The vision includes tearing down roughly 215,000 square feet to make way for a low-rise retail building. Two connected, 13-story structures will be turned into 448 multi-family units.

• The mix of one- and two-bedroom lofts will be industrial style with exposed ceilings, averaging around 880 square feet. Most units will have balconies.
• The ground-floor retail will total around 55,000 square feet, lining the streets and alleys.
• Between the underground garage for residents and a surface lot for retail customers, more than 500 parking spaces are on site.
• The pedestrian-focused plan incorporates 20,000 square feet of public open space.

Take a look around

Eric Church and Morgan Wallen are putting on a country music festival in Winnsboro, S.C., and they're calling it Field & Stream Music Fest.

Why it matters: Winnsboro is about an hour from Charlotte, so you can choose to commute or immerse yourself in the experience.

The vibe: In addition to listening to live music, festival-goers can participate in a variety of outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing and whitewater rafting.

• The lineup includes some of today's top country music artists, including Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, and iconic bands like ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
• Church, a North Carolina native, will headline the festival, which will take place Oct. 4-6.

Zoom in: Church and Wallen are partnering with Southern Entertainment, the company behind Lovin' Life Music Fest.

• LLMF sold out in its inaugural year, and Southern Entertainment has already announced it'll be back in Charlotte May 2-5, 2025. Southern Entertainment co-founder Bob Durkin tells Axios they'll start announcing headliners sometime this summer.

Everything you need to know about Field & Stream Music Fest

Sullenberger Aviation Museum, formerly the Carolinas Aviation Museum, opens its new facility on June 1.

Why it matters: The museum is named after Captain C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger, best known for piloting Charlotte-bound U.S. Airways Flight 1549, known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," in 2009.

What to expect: The $34 million museum includes the Miracle on the Hudson aircraft, STEM education programs, flight simulators, aircraft, an airport overlook and interactive exhibits.

What's next: The museum's third building, set to include a historic hangar built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, will open in the first quarter of 2025.

Read about the museum's transformation

🏗️ Ground broke yesterday at the future home of the Umbrella Center, a center that supports families impacted by domestic violence. (WSOC)

👟 The Health Club, a locally owned fitness studio with an open gym, classes and spa-like amenities including a cold plunge, sauna and stream room, will open in Oakhurst in winter 2024. (Instagram)

Mecklenburg County released its latest number of those experiencing homelessness. The total of 2,095 includes 384 unsheltered people — a 79% increase since the 2020 prepandemic count. (Mecklenburg County)

💵 The City of Charlotte and Metropolitan Transit Commission are considering reducing the amount of sales tax revenue spent on rail projects. The decision could make it impossible to build the Silver Line. (WFAE)

🚊 The City of Charlotte has an agreement in principle to acquire the O-Line, which could clear the way for the long-anticipated Red Line to north Mecklenburg. The deal could be completed as soon as September. (WBTV)

Salted Melon Market is expanding to Eastover this summer.

What to expect: Like its South End location, the all-day cafe will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus coffees and smoothies (which will be available in the South End location starting in June).

• The 2,378-square-foot building will seat 72 inside and 20 on its outdoor patio.

📍 815 Providence Road

💼 Check out who's hiring around the city.

1. Guest Sales Associate at Discovery Place.
2. Taproom General Manager at NoDa Brewing Co.
3. Student Success Coordinator (SSC) at ALP Charlotte.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Charlotte-based designer Ashley Ross was recognized by the interior decorating magazine House Beautiful.

Why it matters: Each year, it releases a list of up-and-coming names in interior design across the U.S. The magazine has only 13 spots, and two North Carolina designers received a nod in this year's list of House Beautiful's Next Wave Class of 2024.

Get to know the designer

The weather is heating up just in time for outdoor events like food festivals and musical performances.

🎡 Friday: Take the family to Mecklenburg County Fair at the Park Expo & Conference Center.

🌮 Saturday: Stop by the Taco Fest Carolinas for food trucks with Mexican, Cuban, Colombian and Venezuelan cuisines at Route 29 Pavilion.

🇯🇵 Sunday: Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with matsuri games, origami, martial arts, music, food and drinks at the Urban District Market.

The hottest events happening this weekend