May 26, 2026

Tuesday’s session focused on lessons to be learned from the full history of I-77 in Charlotte.

That history includes not just the current dis-endorsement by city and regional transportation boards of state plans to extend express lanes from Brookshire Freeway to South Carolina.

It begins more than 50 years ago when bulldozers dumped human remains in streets as cemeteries were eviscerated. It continued as wooden noise walls were constructed, then not maintained. It continues today as noise and fumes waft through minority neighborhoods cut off from each other and from the center city.

Former business executive Malcomb Coley pressed for a united Charlotte voice to insist that the state right the wrongs of the past before Charlotte will consider additional disruptions. A number of people in Tuesday’s audience instead seemed to expect that state officials would tweak their plans, and then proceed – ignoring any outrageous state behavior in the past.

Tuesday’s session also delved into present controversies over data centers. Such facilities tie up land and water, and consume immense amounts of electricity. Neighbors may find them to be gigantic noise and air quality polluters. Several speakers see the threat as focused on minority neighborhoods. One proposal, for example, involves a multi-acre west Mecklenburg facility across a street from Duke’s largest distribution lines and a stone’s throw from the river.

Presenters with stories about the community damage done by I-77 construction from the 1960s through today were Mary Johnson, president, Dalebrook Neighborhood; Darnell Ivory, board member, Biddleville-Smallwood Neighborhood; and Sean Langley, president, McCrorey Heights Neighborhood Association.

Presenters focused to today’s and tomorrow’s fights over data centers were Greg Asciutto, executive director, CharlotteEAST; and The Rev. Dr. Janet Garner-Mullins, environmental justice fellow, Advance Carolina.

Presenter with a message about finding unity as a community to negotiate from a position of strength to resolve highway, data center and other issues was Malcomb Coley, retired partner, EY.

– Steve Johnston

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The “artificial intelligence” engine listening into the Webex recording of Tuesday’s meeting churned out a list of “action items” resulting from the meeting. Most of the items are in some way grounded in people’s comments. They are included here not in any expectation that more than a few of them will be pursued. Instead, they are a reflection of the immense tasks ahead in creating a more equitable, livable community, and why so many people are discouraged, angry or utterly tuned out. And all of this from just a short meeting focused on only a couple of the community’s pressing challenges. The list reads, in part:

• Acquire an independent transportation analysis to address community concerns about highway expansion.
• Monitor tree replanting and drainage issues in lower McCrorey Heights.
• Create a greenway on Irwin Creek as a form of redress for past highway construction impacts.
• Hold city planning and development officials accountable.
• Community members shouild be engaged and active in local governance discussions regarding data center placements and their impacts.
• Hold community forums to discuss the implications of data centers and other developments before decisions are finalized.
• Attend City Council meeting on data centers to voice concerns and seek transparency regarding the impact of these developments on communities.
• Bring together all stakeholders in future meetings to ensure diverse voices are heard and included in decision-making processes.
• Gather community input to define collective objectives and benefits for future projects.
• Send a list of broken promises related to I-77 construction to NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson.
• Hold both public and private sectors accountable for creating equitable opportunities in the community.
• Engage the community to develop a collective approach for addressing future projects, particularly regarding the I-77 development.
• Continue mentoring programs for youth, focusing on providing opportunities and access to resources that promote success.
• Develop a strategic plan that outlines community needs and asks before moving forward with projects.
• Address the need for equitable distribution of contracts and opportunities in community projects, particularly focusing on marginalized communities.
• Develop a long-term strategy for community engagement and project planning, ensuring alignment on goals and expectations.