WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Breathing new life into Independence Blvd.

Breathing new life into Independence Blvd.

By: Melissa Hankins

The city of Charlotte met tonight with the public to discuss revitalizing a part of Independence Boulevard that badly needs it--a corridor stretching, roughly, from Independence cross streets Briar Creek Rd. to Sardis Rd.

Melissa Hankins talked to area residents today, and found out they can't wait to give their feedback.

David Blankenship lives in Amity Gardens, a leafy green little neighborhood tucked behind decaying Independence Boulevard, and the row after row of dying businesses have him worried to death about the fate of his home.

So, he was happy to hear the city's looking for some recommendations.

"The thing that concerns me most is the shoppping center that's been sitting empty for years," in front of his neighborhood, Blankenship says. "It's been in decline for, I don't know, eight years."

Blankenship believes if  the shopping centers surrounding Amity Gardens shaped up...

"You know, I think this neighborhood could be really nice. When things pick up, I think people will be buying."

And that's exactly what the city's hoping for. But turning Independence Boulevard around is no small task, the Charlotte, apparently, is looking for all the help it can get, to do it.