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Ely Portillo

Stories by Ely Portillo

Why isn’t Charlotte built on the water?
July 29, 2019
After visiting a city with a waterfront, maybe stopping for a drink and a bite to eat along whichever river or ocean it’s built along, I’m usually left with one overriding thought: “Wow,...

Turning to a board game for insights on planning Charlotte’s growth
July 23, 2019
It isn’t quite “Risk” or “Monopoly” or even “Settlers of Catan.” But city officials are using feedback from a new board game called “Growing Better Places: A More Equitable and Inclusive...

Charlotte loves visions. Here are some of the biggest on the drawing board.
July 11, 2019
If planners, developers and other leaders in Charlotte have a favorite word, it might just be “vision.” In a city defined by its growth, local leaders aren’t shy about throwing the word around...

Five maps that show stark health disparities in Mecklenburg County
July 9, 2019
Sharp differences in race and income are visible on a map of Mecklenburg County, generally in the familiar “crescent and wedge” pattern many Charlotteans are familiar with.   But...

Immigrants play a big role in Charlotte’s growth, new study shows
July 8, 2019
Almost one in six Mecklenburg residents were born outside the U.S., and immigrants make an outsized contribution to the local economy and many key industries.  That’s according to a new study...