Plus, Matthews fireworks show.
 
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From our friends at WCNC

 
🏀 Spectrum Center (Re)imagined
The Spectrum Center is photographed against the Uptown Charlotte skyline on a sunny day.
The Spectrum Center has hosted 20 million visitors in Uptown since opening in October 2005.  | Photo by CLTtoday
Uptown Charlotte was buzzing with excitement Monday morning. City leaders marked the tip-off for “Re!magine Spectrum Center” — a high-scale renovation project for the entertainment arena and home of the Charlotte Hornets.

The project — costing roughly $215 million — aims to elevate the overall fan experience from the quality of seats to the efficiency of the concession stands.

“The newly re-imagined Spectrum Center is going to blow you all away!” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “State-of-the-art amenities, incredible new fan experiences, better connectivity to our already vibrant Uptown area — it’s really going to be something special.”

An artist's rendering of the Spectrum Center arena during a Charlotte Hornets' basketball game.

2,500 additional seats will bring more fans to be closer to game-time action. All seats throughout the bowl will be replaced.

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Rendering via Charlotte Hornets.

Fans can expect to see:
  • 2,500 additional lower-level seats
  • A fully-renovated concourse
  • Enhanced premium spaces — including clubs and suites
  • Improved technology to increase speed in food + drink service
  • Back-of-house upgrades
“It’s a big building, but we’re hoping the renovation can create some excitement and buzz and get a lot of fans into the building and create that kind of hometown atmosphere,” said Joe Dyer, Associate Principle with Perkins and Will — the architecture firm leading the project.

Re!magine Spectrum Center is a collaborative effort between Hornets Sports & Entertainment, the City of Charlotte, and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

An art rendering of a super suite at the Charlotte Hornets game.

The reimagined Suite Level will offer five different suite options — to accommodate anywhere from eight to 75 guests.

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Rendering via Charlotte Hornets

“I love the collaboration with all of our partners working together to make sure we get this right for our guests and our fans,” said Donna Julian, Hornets Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President & Spectrum Center General Manager. “They’re going to feel the difference and they’re going to have an elevated experience, so that makes me really happy.”

Editor’s note: We asked Julian about including recent projects done by CMS students. “They had some great ideas which helped that guest experience, so they might see a little something as we open these doors.”

The Spectrum Center will be closed for renovations through September. The building will reopen for the 2024-25 NBA season, then close again in May 2025 for additional upgrades.
 
Asked
 
What Spectrum Center renovations do you want most?
A. Better seating
B. Faster concession stands
C. Larger clubs + suites
D. Enhanced concourse
 
 
Events
 
Tuesday, May 21
  • Sugar Creek Health Center - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | Tuesday, May 21 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers, Inc., 721 W. Sugar Creek Rd., Charlotte | Free | Celebrate the grand opening of this state-of-the-art health care facility.
  • Armored Calves Run Club | Tuesday, May 21 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Armored Cow Brewing Co., 8821 JW Clay Blvd. #1, Charlotte | Free | Lace up your sneakers and enjoy an evening jog with fellow runners.
Wednesday, May 22
  • Haw River Rose Tasting | Wednesday, May 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Carolina Beer Temple, 195 North Trade St., Matthews | Free | Pour yourself a glass of pleasure with fresh rose + free charcuterie.
  • Kick Stigma to the Curb - Event + Class with Nicole at Gritbox | Wednesday, May 22 | 5:15-7:30 p.m. | GRITBOX, 2151 Hawkins St., Ste. 140, Charlotte | $5 | Join a discussion on mental health with Coach Nicole and Madina Alam, followed by a VIP Gritbox class.
  • Claydate at GROW Charlotte | Wednesday, May 22 | 6-8 p.m. | Grow: a Plant Shop, 270 Camp Rd., Ste. 101, Charlotte | $85 | Paint handmade planters and create the perfect home for your next plant.
Thursday, May 23
  • South Charlotte Partners Breakfast Club | Thursday, May 23 | 8-9:30 a.m. | SpringHill Suites Charlotte Ballantyne, 12325 Johnston Rd., Charlotte | $25-$35 | Join Charlotte’s city leaders for a discussion on navigating the complexities of return-to-office policies.
  • Thirsty Thursday - Sand Volleyball Mix N Match Tournament | Thursday, May 23, Thursday, May 30 | 3-6 p.m. | Sand Courts at Thirsty Social, 508 Woodlawn St., Belmont | $18 | Meet new people and play volleyball in a social mini tournament.
  • Queens of Charlotte at Alive after 5 | Thursday, May 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd., Charlotte | Free | Enjoy an evening of free live music, food trucks, and drinks at Symphony Park.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Finance
 
Aspire to retire? This startup wants to help you plan.
grey haired man sitting on a bench in a park in the springtime, wearing a blue t-shirt and a green jacket, smiling at the camera
A financial advisor could help you save and invest for retirement. | Photo provided by SmartAsset
This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161M to help people plan for retirement.

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise millennial planning ahead — SmartAsset’s free quiz makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. Research suggests that people who work with a financial advisor could end up with 15% more money to spend in retirement.¹

Ready to kickstart your retirement plans?
¹ “Journal of Retirement Study Winter” (2020). The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of your future results. Please follow the link to see the methodologies employed in the Journal of Retirement study.
 
News Notes
 
Travel
  • Charlotte Douglas International Airport says normal baggage claim operations have resumed following massive delays over the weekend. Passengers say multiple baggage claim units broke down, causing long delays and lost luggage. (WCNC)
Drink
  • Middle James Brewing Company’s newest location is now open in Waxhaw. Beer lovers can enjoy the the family-friendly space with over a dozen beers on tap. The space occupies the former site of The Dreamchaser’s Brewery (115 E. North Main St., Waxhaw). (The Charlotte Observer)
Announcement
  • The Town of Matthews will still use fireworks this Independence Day. The town had considered switching to a drone show — but the cost of drones is nearly double the price of fireworks. The show will be at Matthews Sportsplex on Wednesday, July 3. (WSOC)
Outdoors
  • Abernethy Park in downtown Huntersville is complete. The park at 207 Glendale Dr. now features handicap-accessible access to walking paths and the playground + plant amenities. The renovations were made possible by a $212,000 Accessibility for Parks Grant through the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
Open
  • A new boating safety center has been unveiled at Blythe Landing in Cornelius. The center honors late Cornelius Police officer Joshua Murray. The dedication comes in hope to prevent drownings at Lake Norman. (Queen City News)
Ranked
  • Several cities in the Carolinas — including Charlotte — have been recognized as promising cities for recent college graduates to start their careers. Other cities recognized included Charleston, Raleigh, and Durham.
Sports
  • The Riot Report’s Josh Klein breaks down the Carolina Panthers upcoming 2024 season schedule. Go beyond the roster for the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
  • Hike the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains or explore the Biltmore Estate when you stay at AutoCamp Asheville, your getaway to the calm of North Carolina. Pro tip: Book early for the best rates (AutoCamp Asheville’s doors open in June).*
 
 
Eat
 
🥓 A sizzling menu
Strips of bacon hang over a presentation mantle on a table in a restaurant.
Steak 48 diners can soon look forward to ordering mouth-watering hanging bacon. | Photo by CLTtoday
Steak 48 in SouthPark typically offers guests a sizzling dining experience. Now, new menu items are providing a delicious upgrade.

CLTtoday received an exclusive glimpse into Steak 48’s new caviar program and elevated caviar service. Guests can expect sustainable and ethically raised caviar from Poland and Italy, such as: Sasanian Siberian, royal, and imperial osetra.

Now available:
  • Blistered Shishito peppers — smoked lemon essence, roasted garlic, and sea salt
  • Shells + cheese — boursin cheese + velveeta, garlic bread crumbs
  • Boursin cheese whipped potatoes — yukon + russets, classic fine herb garlic boursin, and sweet cream
Launching this summer:
  • Whole branzino filet — oven-roasted, charred lemon, and beurre blanc
  • Spring pea ravioli — sweet corn crema + chive oil
In development and coming soon:
  • Caviar cones — Siberian osetra, horseradish creme fraiche, gold leaf
  • Torched scallops — yuzu ponzu, truffle crema, and Siberian osetra caviar
  • Roasted cauliflower — caramelized, smoked basil aioli, + aged pecorino
  • Hanging bacon — seasoned bacon + steak rub
 
The Buy
 
Pet accessories. Have the prettiest pooch at the park with these themed prints for summer thanks to Covey Collection.
 
Answered
 
On Monday, we asked “How many weeks did ‘The Sound of Music’ play at Carolina Theatre?”
A black and white photo of a marching band and parade outside the Carolina Theatre from 1938.

The Carolina Theatre was the only movie house in the Carolinas for many years.

|

Photo via Foundation For The Carolinas

When reporting on the restoration for the historic Carolina Theatre, we wondered if you could “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and find the right answer:

35% — 84 weeks
29% — 79 weeks
19% — 75 weeks
16% — 65 weeks

The correct answer: 79 weeks
 
6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
CLT_Jack VanderToll Today’s edition by:
Jack
From the editor
Looking for a new lunch spot? This City Editor highly recommends trying Catalina Kitchen + Bar in Elizabeth. The food is great and reasonably priced.
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