Keep Pounding
The Bank of America Stadium is in dire need of renovation. The 30-year-old stadium is one of the oldest in the NFL. The project would cost $800 million, and Tepper Sports & Entertainment would invest $150 million. The proposed renovation, which passed the City Council last week, would keep the Panthers in Charlotte for another twenty years. How significant is the Bank of America Stadium to Uptown’s economy, and will it drive Uptown's apartment demand?
With the proposed renovations, Charlotte could be in the running to host the Super Bowl or an NFL draft. Hosting a massive national event benefits the housing, hospitality, tourism, sports, and numerous other industries throughout Mecklenburg County. Uptown and the surrounding neighborhoods have dozens of hotels that are a short distance away from the stadium and could potentially host such a large event. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport has hundreds of domestic and international flights daily, making out-of-state travel convenient. Uptown’s public transportation also allows easy access to the stadium. Hosting a major sporting event could be a win for Charlotte’s hotel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Any workforce development opportunity could benefit the city for decades. Perhaps the allure of living near a renovated stadium will drive demand for Uptown apartments, ending the high vacancy rates. Residents enjoy the ease of walking to events and ditching the stress and cost of parking. Sports fans can also see inside the stadium from numerous high-rise apartment units. The Bank of America Stadium renovation could be the comeback tour Uptown apartments desperately need.