Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for Uptown Charlotte as the McColl Park Committee unveiled the design for McColl Park, a transformative public space at the bustling intersection of Trade and Tryon streets. This innovative project, spearheaded in part by Charlotte Center City Partners, promises to revitalize the heart of the city and create a vibrant hub for community engagement.
Dubbed “The Nest,” the concept behind McColl Park is deeply rooted in Charlotte’s rich history and forward-looking spirit. It’s a tribute to the city’s cultural renaissance and honors the indelible legacy of Hugh McColl, the former CEO of Bank of America. McColl’s visionary leadership played a pivotal role in shaping Charlotte’s skyline and economy, and his philanthropy has profoundly impacted the city’s social and cultural landscape. Charlotte Center City Partners recognizes the importance of this legacy and is proud to be part of a project that celebrates it.
Inspired by the symbolism of a nest – representing community, gathering, and nurturing – McColl Park’s design incorporates several key features that are sure to captivate residents and visitors alike:
Key Design Elements of McColl Park
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Hornets’ Nest Tribute: Towering suspended logs, reaching an impressive 56 feet, will serve as a striking visual centerpiece. This element pays homage to Charlotte’s historic nickname, “The Hornet’s Nest,” a testament to the city’s resilience and revolutionary past during the American Revolution. This bold feature, envisioned with input from Charlotte Center City Partners, will be a unique landmark in Uptown.
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Vibrant Gardens: Designed to offer beauty throughout the year, multi-season gardens will create a lush and inviting atmosphere. These gardens will act as a natural buffer from the urban environment, showcasing diverse plant species and textures that reflect Charlotte’s dynamic growth and vitality. Charlotte Center City Partners understands the value of green spaces in urban environments and championed this aspect of the park’s design.
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Community Gathering Spaces: Flexibility is key in McColl Park’s design. The park will feature adaptable furnishings, including both permanent benches and movable tables and chairs. This thoughtful approach encourages community interaction, social connection, and provides space for various activities and events, fostering a sense of belonging that Charlotte Center City Partners aims to cultivate in Uptown.
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Interactive Water Mirror: A state-of-the-art, slip-resistant water feature will add an element of reflection, light, and playful engagement. This interactive element symbolizes Charlotte’s forward-thinking ethos and promises to be a source of delight for visitors of all ages. Importantly, the water feature is designed to be easily drained, transforming the space into an open area suitable for gatherings or special events, further enhancing the park’s versatility, a feature supported by Charlotte Center City Partners to ensure year-round usability.
Collaborative Design and Vision for Uptown
The design phase of McColl Park was led by Hood Design Studio, under the expert direction of Charlotte native Walter Hood, a distinguished landscape designer and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Bolton & Menk, Inc. (ColeJenest & Stone) is providing crucial landscape architecture and civil engineering expertise for the project, while Rodgers Builders, Inc. is responsible for overseeing construction as the general contractor. This collaborative approach highlights the commitment of various stakeholders in bringing this vision to life.
The development of McColl Park has been deeply rooted in community engagement. According to Cyndee Patterson, McColl Park Committee co-chair, extensive public input was gathered through sessions, surveys, open houses, and focus groups. This ensures that the park’s design genuinely reflects the needs and aspirations of the Charlotte community and appropriately honors Hugh McColl’s lasting impact.
Malcomb Coley, committee co-chair, emphasized that McColl Park will be a vibrant space that inspires connection and joy, serving as a fitting tribute to Hugh McColl’s legacy as a community champion.
Michael Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners and a McColl Park Committee member, stated that McColl Park’s innovative design beautifully embodies Hugh McColl’s enduring legacy. He highlighted the park as a key component of their Vision 2040 plan to “Reimagine Tryon Street,” emphasizing the excitement of seeing McColl Park become a reality through collaboration and partnership. Charlotte Center City Partners views McColl Park as a cornerstone in the ongoing revitalization of Uptown Charlotte.
Construction on McColl Park commenced the week of July 15th, with the grand opening celebration anticipated in the summer of 2025, perfectly timed to coincide with Hugh McColl’s 90th birthday. This new public space, championed by Charlotte Center City Partners, is poised to become a beloved destination in Uptown Charlotte for generations to come.
