Despite numerous setbacks in securing a grocery store, members of the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition say the opening of Three Sisters Market, a community-owned food cooperative that is planned for the corner of Romare Bearden Drive and West Boulevard, is now within sight. The co-op is expected to open in 2025. Continuing reading here.
Digital Alchemy
Atrium Health and YMCA of Greater Charlotte Bring New Health Care Option to West Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 15, 2024 – Atrium Health, in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, is bringing convenient access to health care to the West Boulevard corridor of Charlotte at the new Ed Brown Community Center. On March 15, a ribbon-cutting was held for the new medical building, located on the campus of the Stratford Richardson YMCA. The Atrium Health Community Care Primary Care West Boulevard Family Medicine clinic, housed inside the Ed Brown Community Center at 1940 West Blvd., in Charlotte, will open to its first patients on March 18, bringing access to an area of the city that has been historically unserved and underserved.
Edward J. Brown III was a prominent Charlotte business leader and selfless philanthropist who inspired others to make a difference in the community. In addition to leadership roles with Bank of America and Hendrick Automotive, Brown served on multiple civic boards – including 19 years as part of The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Board of Commissioners, which he chaired from 2013-2021. He challenged Atrium Health to build new care sites in vulnerable communities, a push that led to the clinic concept being implemented at the Stratford Richardson YMCA. Continue reading here…
Sustain Charlotte Social: Build a better bus system
Our next Sustain Charlotte Social, presented by Truist, will be held Thursday, Oct. 3, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Revolution Park Sports Academy (1225 Remount Road in Charlotte).
Charlotte is a wonderful place to live, but getting around can be a challenge. With the recent news about the Charlotte region’s transportation plan, we are teaming up with Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte Regional Transportation Coalition, and the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition to brainstorm how we can improve our bus and transportation system.
Join us to talk about all things transit! Our speakers will share more details about a possible transportation tax and ongoing bus initiatives at CATS, followed by an interactive workshop about how to improve specific bus stops and bus routes in the West Boulevard neighborhoods. Come share your thoughts and affect how our bus system serves YOU!
News and Events October 14, 2024
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How westside groups are working to increase food options
Four new food markets are set to come to Charlotte’s West End.
During this week’s Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum on Aug. 6, several organizations discussed their plans to open grocery-centered concepts and community additions.
“It takes a village to address the massive need of food insecurity that’s impacting our community,” Kimberly Scott, Mecklenburg County assistant health director, said during the forum.
Read the full article here.
West Blvd. apartment community opens with collaboration
A 120-unit apartment community for elders has opened its doors on West Boulevard.
The Legacy at Carr Heights Senior Apartments, which hosted a ribbon-cutting on July 12, is a public-private collaboration between the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, Westside Community Land Trust, City of Charlotte and nonprofits. The $31 million development for people aged 55 and older is named for Nathaniel Carr, a Black landowner and farmer, who along with his wife Lizzie established the neighborhood in the early 20th century.
Read full article here.
West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition Continues to Support Healthy Food Access for Community
The West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition was recently awarded $300,000 by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation to strengthen their capacity to advocate for healthy foods. The funding is spread over three years and will enable the Coalition to enhance their advocacy efforts to change the policy and systemic factors that limit access to healthy food. This work ultimately seeks to increase access to healthy foods for community members of the West Boulevard Corridor and surrounding neighborhoods.
“The West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition is thrilled to receive this award from the Blue Cross NC Foundation. This grant gets us one step closer to our vision for health equity and community wealth building in the West Boulevard Corridor,” said Rickey Hall, Board Chair, West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition.
The West Boulevard Corridor lacks healthy food in retail stores and there is no full-service grocery store. Plans are currently underway to build a community-owned cooperative market on West Boulevard, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. This grant funding will enable the Coalition to build relationships with local, state, and federal policymakers and elevate the voices of community members experiencing barriers to food security.
The Coalition sees firsthand the urgent need to remove these barriers at the systemic level, and we look forward to working with Blue Cross NC Foundation to move the needle, not just in the Corridor, but for citizens across the state.
The Queen’s Garden-Oral Histories of the Piedmont Foodshed.
Rickey Hall was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 22, 1957 and has lived in West Charlotte for his entire life. Mr. Hall is an important member of numerous neighborhood coalitions and organizations such as the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition and the West Side Community Land Trust. He intends to bring greater food and economic security to West Charlotte through his work with community gardens and the opening of a co-op market called the Three Sisters Market. Throughout the interview, Mr. Hall discusses food insecurity in West Charlotte resulting from food deserts and the importance of the community working internally to combat issues plaguing the area.
Listen to full story here.