CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are moving forward with renovations to their practice facility after Charlotte City Council approved new plans that will add a field house to the team's location on Cedar Street in Uptown on Monday.
The vote to approve the practice facility upgrades came shortly after Charlotte leaders heard from the public about proposed upgrades to Bank of America Stadium. Under the proposed plan, $650 million in tourism tax dollars would give the stadium a facelift, including new video boards, seating and improved accessibility for fans.
While some believe those upgrades will boost tourism and funnel even more money to Charlotte businesses, others say these plans won't deliver what's promised.
"We know that billions of dollars of visitor spending come to Charlotte annually," Vinay Patel, an Uptown hotel owner, said. "We went from 10 to 12 event dates to 42 dates. Ask a hotel, business owner, bartender or waitress, 'What's the impact?'"
Several folks also expressed concerns about Panthers owner David Tepper's previous failed deals in the Charlotte area, such as the failed team headquarters in Rock Hill and Charlotte FC's exit from the Eastland Mall redevelopment.
"How do we avoid the failed partnership of Tepper in Rock Hill and before that, the Eastland Mall development?" Scott Bryan said.
The Panthers filed a rezoning petition in February for the practice facility updates. The plans include a new field house, upgraded outdoor fields and a viewing deck for fans. Caroline Wright, the chief venues officer for Tepper Sports & Entertainment, said the future field house was originally going to be 95 feet tall, but after getting feedback from neighbors, the organization decided to reduce the height to 70 feet.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.