Local

How Charlotte is building momentum on city's east side

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the Charlotte Checkers welcomed thousands of fans to Bojangles’ Coliseum to celebrate their Calder Cup title on June 10, one held a white Checkers sign amongst a crowd flooding the arena floor to lay eyes on the championship trophy.

“Whatever it takes,” the sign read.

The slogan could also describe the city’s commitment and investment in the Checkers’ home building and neighboring Ovens Auditorium. Since 2014, over $40 million in renovations have been directed towards reviving the historic buildings.

City leaders hoped the investment would be an economic catalyst for the venues and surrounding Independence Boulevard corridor, said Tom Murray, chief executive of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. By most measures, the city was right.

Fiscal 2018 proved a strong one for the Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex, which includes both Bojangles’ and Ovens, and there hasn’t been much slowdown in 2019.

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