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Ely Portillo

Stories by Ely Portillo

People assume transit causes displacement. Does it really?
May 14, 2019
It’s a familiar story: A new transit line opens, spurring gentrification in nearby neighborhoods and pushing out long-time residents.  But is that always what happens? New research from UNC...

Offices in South End, apartments in Ballantyne? Lines are blurring.
May 13, 2019
Is Ballantyne about to become South End, or vice versa? Probably not - but lines in Charlotte that were once razor-sharp are starting to get a lot blurrier.

Charlotte looks ahead two decades to plan growth
May 8, 2019
Charlotte is like a teenager in a growth spurt, with development transforming chunks of the city and new buildings popping up on what feels like every corner in some neighborhoods. Can an ambitious...

Here’s what Charlotte really, really needs from its 2040 plan
May 6, 2019
We asked a dozen Charlotte community leaders from different walks of life one question: What does the city need more than anything in its new vision for growth? From designing for people instead of...

Mecklenburg parks could get a big spending boost
May 3, 2019
Mecklenburg County is poised to substantially increase funding for its park system, after years of stagnating budgets and staff cuts following the 2008 recession. It could help the county improve its...