Plaza-Midwood
Encyclopedia
Plaza-Midwood, is a neighborhood located approximately one mile to the northeast of Uptown
in Charlotte, North Carolina
. The neighborhood is roughly bound by Hawthorne Lane to the west, The Plaza to the north, Briar Creek Road and the Charlotte Country Club to the east and Central Avenue to the south.
Locally known as one of Charlotte's most diverse and eclectic neighborhoods, it is filled with art galleries, funky stores, and restaurants. It is also noted for having a significant gay
and lesbian
population.
of Charlotte
. The Oakland Land Company was responsible for the layout of the roads within the neighborhood. Through the Great Depression
, Plaza-Midwood would thrive, before its decline commenced in the 1950s.
By 1975, the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association was established to protect and preserve the neighborhood.
Since the mid-1990s, the area has seen a dramatic comeback as reinvestment has transformed once dilapidated homes into funky urban dwellings. It continued redevelopment has spilled over into other surrounding neighborhoods, and resulted in the overall renaissance of the former inner-ring suburbs of old Charlotte.
Plaza-Midwood's Historic District is located in the western section of the neighborhood and is maintained by residents and business operators. The area along The Plaza, Thomas Avenue and parts of Pecan and Clement were designated as a Local Historic District in 1992. The district is now regulated by the Historic District Commission.
bus routes 4, 9, 17 & 39. Additionally, future development of a streetcar line along Central Avenue at its southern boundary will provide service between Eastland Mall
and Uptown
.
, including Eastway Middle School and Shamrock Gardens Elementary School.
.. The library is located on the corner of the Central Avenue and the Plaza.
35°13′14.23"N 80°48′39.708"W
Charlotte center city
Charlotte center city is the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The headquarters for the Fortune 500 companies Bank of America and Duke Energy are located here, as well as the headquarters for East Coast operations for Wells Fargo.Museums, sporting venues, shops, hotels, restaurants, and...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The neighborhood is roughly bound by Hawthorne Lane to the west, The Plaza to the north, Briar Creek Road and the Charlotte Country Club to the east and Central Avenue to the south.
Locally known as one of Charlotte's most diverse and eclectic neighborhoods, it is filled with art galleries, funky stores, and restaurants. It is also noted for having a significant gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
and lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
population.
Demographics
As of 2008, the neighborhood had a population of 3,552 residents and 1,852 housing units with residents having a median household income of $56,650. Children under 18 numbered 704 and adults over 64 years of age numbered approx. 307. The average house value is $330,640.History
Plaza-Midwood was first established in 1910 as a streetcar suburbStreetcar suburb
A streetcar suburb is a residential community whose growth and development was strongly shaped by the use of streetcar lines as a primary means of transportation. Early suburbs were served by horsecars, but by the late 19th century cable cars and electric streetcars, or trams, were used, allowing...
of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The Oakland Land Company was responsible for the layout of the roads within the neighborhood. Through the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, Plaza-Midwood would thrive, before its decline commenced in the 1950s.
By 1975, the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association was established to protect and preserve the neighborhood.
Since the mid-1990s, the area has seen a dramatic comeback as reinvestment has transformed once dilapidated homes into funky urban dwellings. It continued redevelopment has spilled over into other surrounding neighborhoods, and resulted in the overall renaissance of the former inner-ring suburbs of old Charlotte.
Plaza-Midwood's Historic District is located in the western section of the neighborhood and is maintained by residents and business operators. The area along The Plaza, Thomas Avenue and parts of Pecan and Clement were designated as a Local Historic District in 1992. The district is now regulated by the Historic District Commission.
Mass Transit and Light Rail
The neighborhood is serviced by the Charlotte Area Transit SystemCharlotte Area Transit System
The Charlotte Area Transit System, commonly referred to as CATS, is the public transit system in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It operates bus service around the Metrolina area and a historical trolley in Uptown Charlotte, and operates a light rail system, called LYNX which opened on November 24,...
bus routes 4, 9, 17 & 39. Additionally, future development of a streetcar line along Central Avenue at its southern boundary will provide service between Eastland Mall
Eastland Mall (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Eastland Mall was a shopping mall in Charlotte, North Carolina. The center opened in 1975 as the then-largest mall in North Carolina with three anchor department stores, Belk, J.C. Penney and Ivey's, and a Sears store joined four years later. Burlington Coat Factory, the mall's final anchor, has...
and Uptown
Charlotte center city
Charlotte center city is the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The headquarters for the Fortune 500 companies Bank of America and Duke Energy are located here, as well as the headquarters for East Coast operations for Wells Fargo.Museums, sporting venues, shops, hotels, restaurants, and...
.
Education and Libraries
School system
Residents of Plaza-Midwood attend Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is a local education agency headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the public school system for Mecklenburg County. With over 133,600 students enrolled, it is the second-largest school district in North Carolina and the twentieth-largest in the nation...
, including Eastway Middle School and Shamrock Gardens Elementary School.
Libraries
Plaza-Midwood is served by the Plaza Midwood branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg CountyPublic Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County , is the public library system of the city of Charlotte and County of Mecklenburg in North Carolina- About :...
.. The library is located on the corner of the Central Avenue and the Plaza.
35°13′14.23"N 80°48′39.708"W
External links
- Plaza-Midwood neighborhood web site
- Charlotte Neighborhood Quality Of Life Study for Plaza-Midwood from CharMeck.org
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission driving tour of Plaza-Midwood