University City is Charlotte’s second largest employment center, hosting 73,000 jobs, according to University City Partners. There are 23 fortune 500 companies represented in its 11 million square feet of office space, and today, 160,000 people call University City home. In 2014, 1,925 housing units were added, and this year 1,400 more housing units are under construction with more announcements coming soon.
Much of the area’s growth can be contributed to the university and transportation. In the past 8 years, UNC Charlotte has seen 28 percent growth in enrollment and now has about 30,000 students. It provides the area with 4,000 jobs. The extension of the Blue Line makes it easier to get into the city – prompting the development of more townhomes and apartments. With more people moving to the area, two new bridges will be added over I-85 to help the flow of local traffic. Darlene Heater at University City Partners says there’s also a new entertainment center in the works that will include breweries, a theater, and more dining options. It’s an attempt to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and is slated to break ground before the end of 2017.