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News, notes, and gossip surrounding the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte
Aug 29, 2012
07:53 PM
The DNC In The CLT

Pocket Park Going Up Fast In Uptown, and So Is the Google Building

Pocket Park Going Up Fast In Uptown, and So Is the Google Building

Click on photo for larger view.

Uptown has a new pocket park on North Tryon Street, just in time for the DNC.

When I roamed through Uptown Charlotte exactly two weeks ago, snapping photos of the different things being put into place in time for the Democratic National Convention (“Signs of the Times: The Convention Is Near”), one of the locations looked questionable to me. I wondered whether the so-called “pocket park,” which was under construction in the vacant lot at 230 N. Tryon St., in front of the old Carolina Theatre, would be completed in time. Because two weeks ago, construction workers were still grading the land.

Today, however, as you can see in the photo on the left, the pocket park is nearly finished, and will probably be open to the public by this weekend. There’s grass, flowers, trees, cobblestone walkways, and more--a far cry from the eyesore the vacant lot was previously. I hope the DNC protesters don’t “occupy” this area next week, though.

Know what else is sprouting quickly in Uptown? The temporary structure where Google will host its DNC Week events. Resembling the search engine giant’s colorful and iconic logo, the Google building (pictured below) is nearing completion in a parking lot at the corner of South Tryon and West Third streets. You’ll be able to admire it from the sidewalks, but unfortunately the majority of Google’s DNC events will be invitation-only or for credentialed guests, including panel discussions it’s hosting on politics, race, and technology, among others, along with cocktail receptions with expected guests such as Newark Mayor Cory Booker and entertainment mogul Russell Simmons. If you want an idea of what the inside of the Google space will look like, check out what they’re doing this week at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Stay up to date with Charlotte magazine's Democratic National Convention coverage at charlottemagazine.com/dnc.

Follow me on Twitter @HollidayInk; email me at jarvish@grownpeopletalking.com.

Reader Comments:
Aug 29, 2012 11:40 pm
 Posted by  kingdomnow392@yahoo.com

Our family is being displaced from our hotel tomorrow by the high rates that are in effect for the convention week. We need a family or organization to help put us up for the week,is love and charity dead?
Are we not our brother's keeper.
Please help a family of three who are travelling ministers and homeschoolers.

God Bless

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About This Blog

The DNC In The CLT covers all things surrounding the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Want to know who the real power players are? Where the best parties are? What the national media is saying? Hang with us, and we’ll share the scoop.

 

 

The DNC In The CLT is written and compiled mostly by
Jarvis Holliday, a freelance journalist who has lived in and covered Charlotte since 2005. He’s interviewed CEOs, politicians, university presidents, professional athletes, entertainers, and more. Follow him on Twitter @HollidayInk. Other Charlotte magazine staffers will make periodic contributions as the convention unfolds.
 

 

Blog Roll

Democratic National Convention news sites and blogs

The Charlotte Observer

The Charlotte Observer Convention Watch Blog

Charlotte Business Journal

Creative Loafing

News 14 (Time Warner Cable)

WBTV (CBS affiliate)

WCCB (FOX affiliate)

WCNC (NBC affiliate)

WSOC (ABC affiliate)

The PPL

The Huffington Post - Democratic Convention

Democratic Convention Watch

Politico - 2012 National Conventions

National Journal

Columbia Journalism Review - The Swing States Project

Democratic National Convention Committee Blog

Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee Blog

 

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