The Reconnecting the West End initiative is a transformative planning and urban design effort focused on repairing the historic harm caused by the construction of I-77 through Charlotte’s West End neighborhoods in the 1960s and 1970s. Developed through the City of Charlotte’s Reconnecting Communities Program grant, the project, led by Neighboring Concepts and Kittelson, explores strategies to restore connectivity between the West End and Uptown while creating opportunities for equitable redevelopment, community-centered public space, and multimodal transportation improvements.

The study evaluates alternatives for retrofitting and reconfiguring existing interstate infrastructure, including the I-77 and West 5th/Trade Street interchanges, with a focus on improving safety, accessibility, and neighborhood cohesion. Through collaboration with community stakeholders, agency partners, and technical teams, the project advances recommendations that prioritize reconnecting displaced communities, reclaiming underutilized transportation land, and supporting mixed-income, mixed-use development aligned with the community-led 5 Points Forward Plan.

The resulting framework establishes a foundation for future infrastructure investment, policy guidance, and preliminary engineering design intended to foster a more connected, inclusive, and resilient West End.