The Problem:

A popular destination with direct connections to the Rail Trail and Blue Line light rail, Camden has some of the highest foot traffic of any street in Charlotte. Despite this, only 14 feet of width is available to people walking in its current layout.

Can we reimagine how our public space is used as South End continues to grow into a vibrant urban center?

The Solution:

By widening sidewalks and reducing traffic to one lane, the pedestrian space can be more than doubled to 36 feet. 

It's time to give people walking on Camden the space they deserve.

The above image is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as a final design. Made with Streetmix. Try your own Camden redesign here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How will this impact local businesses?
A: Local businesses and their customers will enjoy access to wider and more pleasant pedestrian spaces, creating a more vibrant and successful Camden for everyone. Research shows that pedestrian-friendly streets are good for business.

Q: Will greenspace be reduced?
A: Some grassy areas will be converted to sidewalk space, but much of that grass is being trampled now anyway. Camden Reimagined will allow more space for street trees to be planted.

Q: How will this impact intersections along Camden?
A: By reducing traffic to one direction on Camden, Camden Reimagined would simplify the intersections by reducing the number of turning vehicles.

Q: How will people on bicycles and other micromobility travel north if the northbound traffic lane is removed?
A: Northbound cyclists would be encouraged to use the Rail Trail, which would be widened on the east side of the Blue Line tracks from it's current 8 ft width to 11ft (or wider in some parts).

Q: Will parking spaces be taken away?
A: Camden Reimagined does not remove a parking lane, but instead shifts the parking over one lane and reduces the traffic to one lane. This creates make space for pedestrians while still preserving parking access. We do recommend that a few spaces are set aside for loading zones and food trucks (as shown in the illustration).

Q: How will this impact traffic?
A: Because Camden ends at Tremont St, it functions more as parking access than a through-street. Camden Reimagined would still allow vehicles to access parking on Camden, but would encourage through-traffic to stick to parallel streets.

Q: What about delivery trucks?
A: Currently, trucks delivering to businesses along Camden are often forced to block the street to make their deliveries. Camden Reimaged encourages the implantation of loading zones to make the street work better for delivery drivers and the general public.

Bonus inspiration courtesy of  @betterstreetsai: