Restaurants, festivals win praise, but cost of living hurts reputation as economist compares cities
KERRY HALL
Staff Writer
Charlotte, apparently, is much cooler than people may think.
We have a more vibrant evening scene, more fabulous parks and live longer on average than residents of other medium- to large-sized cities. A high number of Charlotteans also borrow library books, suggesting we like to learn.
These are the conclusions from Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting, a Wisconsin firm that advises clients on how to attract educated professionals ages 25 to 44 -- also called "the creative class."
She was paid $75,000 by a group that hopes to boost Charlotte's reputation as a cool place to be.
"It's not `Charlotte's a great place, trust me,' " said Hunter Widener, a local banker and chair of the City Committee, which paid for the study. "We have quantified it and can communicate it now."
The City Committee, made up of about 200 young local professionals, fears Charlotte is falling behind other cities that possess more creative and "cool" cachet, cities such as San Diego, Raleigh and Austin, Texas. Some economists argue cities must attract talented, young workers to survive.
The committee, which has existed quietly for more than two years, raised private donations to pay for the study, which will be released to the public Thursday evening. The Observer contributed $2,500 worth of advertising to the committee.
According to the study, Charlotte is emerging as a world-class dining city. The report praises the city's festivals, such as Charlotte SHOUT, and the city's overall cleanliness and mild seasons.
Johnson and Wales University received kudos for bringing "new flavor" into the traditional college system and the study gives Charlotte good marks for having free wireless hotspots around town.
Thursday evening, the City Committee will announce five initiatives designed to get young professionals more involved in the community and to boost Charlotte's "cool" reputation nationwide. Among the initiatives: the launching of a comprehensive Web site that connects people with goings-on around town and the creation of a young professionals group for socializing.
Both ideas sounded good to Terry Connarn, 25, and Matt Gallo, 26, who spent their Tuesday lunch break relaxing outside Dean and Deluca in uptown. The two architects had been discussing where to go for happy hour that night, "but there aren't any signs advertising specials," Connarn said.
In the next few years, the baby boomers will start retiring, ultimately leading to a worker shortage. Author and George Mason University economist Richard Florida has said a city's economic success depends on its ability to lure artists, scientists and other creative types.
Not everyone agrees with this form of economic development.
Mecklenburg County commissioner Dan Bishop worries Charlotte could limit its growth by focusing too heavily on one type of worker.
"I'm not sure we ought to be looking to implement policy, or significant changes based on the interests of a particular interest group," said Bishop, 40, an attorney and native Charlottean.
For the report, Ryan, an economist, conducted focus groups and telephone interviews. She then compared more than 40 of Charlotte's characteristics with those of 221 cities. Characteristics include: religious and ethnic diversity, the number of art galleries, restaurants and fitness clubs, air quality and availability of parks, commute times, housing prices and unemployment rates.
Ryan said Charlotte is one of two cities out of the nine her company is working with that beat the national average in most categories. Current clients include Tulsa, Okla., Akron, Ohio, and Fresno, Calif. She declined to say how they compared with Charlotte.
"There's a reason beyond Bank of America and Wachovia that Charlotte is growing," Ryan said. "There's a lot going on."
Some of the city's flaws also came through in the report. The city is home to fewer entrepreneurs per capita than other parts of the country and needs more business and arts incubators with sound financial plans, the survey said. The report also cited professionals' concern about a growing gap in quality education for local Hispanic and African American students.
Perhaps most surprising, given the thousands of Northerners who moved south in part because it's cheaper: Charlotte's weakest trait is cost of living, particularly housing costs.
Wachovia Securities broker and young professional Tori Reid, meanwhile, has watched the city evolve and she said she's proud to learn that Charlotte is considered "cool."
Ten years ago, she struggled to find quality shopping. Today, she spends weekends at SouthPark and Concord Mills. She also loves the summer jazz and wine festivals and poetry readings.
"I think it's a work in progress," she said of Charlotte. "There's room to grow."
KERRY HALL
Staff Writer
Charlotte, apparently, is much cooler than people may think.
We have a more vibrant evening scene, more fabulous parks and live longer on average than residents of other medium- to large-sized cities. A high number of Charlotteans also borrow library books, suggesting we like to learn.
These are the conclusions from Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting, a Wisconsin firm that advises clients on how to attract educated professionals ages 25 to 44 -- also called "the creative class."
She was paid $75,000 by a group that hopes to boost Charlotte's reputation as a cool place to be.
"It's not `Charlotte's a great place, trust me,' " said Hunter Widener, a local banker and chair of the City Committee, which paid for the study. "We have quantified it and can communicate it now."
The City Committee, made up of about 200 young local professionals, fears Charlotte is falling behind other cities that possess more creative and "cool" cachet, cities such as San Diego, Raleigh and Austin, Texas. Some economists argue cities must attract talented, young workers to survive.
The committee, which has existed quietly for more than two years, raised private donations to pay for the study, which will be released to the public Thursday evening. The Observer contributed $2,500 worth of advertising to the committee.
According to the study, Charlotte is emerging as a world-class dining city. The report praises the city's festivals, such as Charlotte SHOUT, and the city's overall cleanliness and mild seasons.
Johnson and Wales University received kudos for bringing "new flavor" into the traditional college system and the study gives Charlotte good marks for having free wireless hotspots around town.
Thursday evening, the City Committee will announce five initiatives designed to get young professionals more involved in the community and to boost Charlotte's "cool" reputation nationwide. Among the initiatives: the launching of a comprehensive Web site that connects people with goings-on around town and the creation of a young professionals group for socializing.
Both ideas sounded good to Terry Connarn, 25, and Matt Gallo, 26, who spent their Tuesday lunch break relaxing outside Dean and Deluca in uptown. The two architects had been discussing where to go for happy hour that night, "but there aren't any signs advertising specials," Connarn said.
In the next few years, the baby boomers will start retiring, ultimately leading to a worker shortage. Author and George Mason University economist Richard Florida has said a city's economic success depends on its ability to lure artists, scientists and other creative types.
Not everyone agrees with this form of economic development.
Mecklenburg County commissioner Dan Bishop worries Charlotte could limit its growth by focusing too heavily on one type of worker.
"I'm not sure we ought to be looking to implement policy, or significant changes based on the interests of a particular interest group," said Bishop, 40, an attorney and native Charlottean.
For the report, Ryan, an economist, conducted focus groups and telephone interviews. She then compared more than 40 of Charlotte's characteristics with those of 221 cities. Characteristics include: religious and ethnic diversity, the number of art galleries, restaurants and fitness clubs, air quality and availability of parks, commute times, housing prices and unemployment rates.
Ryan said Charlotte is one of two cities out of the nine her company is working with that beat the national average in most categories. Current clients include Tulsa, Okla., Akron, Ohio, and Fresno, Calif. She declined to say how they compared with Charlotte.
"There's a reason beyond Bank of America and Wachovia that Charlotte is growing," Ryan said. "There's a lot going on."
Some of the city's flaws also came through in the report. The city is home to fewer entrepreneurs per capita than other parts of the country and needs more business and arts incubators with sound financial plans, the survey said. The report also cited professionals' concern about a growing gap in quality education for local Hispanic and African American students.
Perhaps most surprising, given the thousands of Northerners who moved south in part because it's cheaper: Charlotte's weakest trait is cost of living, particularly housing costs.
Wachovia Securities broker and young professional Tori Reid, meanwhile, has watched the city evolve and she said she's proud to learn that Charlotte is considered "cool."
Ten years ago, she struggled to find quality shopping. Today, she spends weekends at SouthPark and Concord Mills. She also loves the summer jazz and wine festivals and poetry readings.
"I think it's a work in progress," she said of Charlotte. "There's room to grow."