Mid-20th-century plans for central Charlotte

Sketches below aer are from the 1966 Greater Charlotte Central Area Plan by A.G. Odell Jr. and Associates.  Map is from the 1960 Wilbur Smith Master Highway Transportation Plan.

A car-free Independence Square, now called "The Square," depicted in 1966 Central Area Plan.
A car-free Independence Square, now called “The Square,” depicted in 1966 Central Area Plan.
One-way street plan from 1960 Transportation Plan was mostly implemented; today two-way streets are favored.
One-way street plan from 1960 Transportation Plan was mostly implemented; today two-way streets are favored.
"Looking north along Convention Avenue [never built] with railroad tracks removed." (1966 plan)
“Looking north along Convention Avenue [never built] with railroad tracks removed.” (1966 plan)
Envisioned "new" convention center, now demolished, in foreground (looking toward The Square from East Trade Street).
Envisioned “new” convention center, now demolished, in foreground (looking toward The Square from East Trade Street).
"Creation of visual and functional connection between the Central Business District and the governmental center." (1966 plan)
“Creation of visual and functional connection between the Central Business District and the governmental center.” (1966 plan)