During the last delivery of the April 2010 issue of Carolina Arts in Charlotte, NC, as I was cruising down Central Avenue – there was something new in the late night sky. The top of a tall building looked like it had a large white collar draped with a medal hung on a blue and red stripped ribbon. As I got closer to the Center City area I soon realized that it was the new Duke Energy tower across from the new Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture on S. Tryon Street – one of my delivery stops.
My first thought was that if I owned one of the other high-rise buildings in Charlotte I wouldn’t be so happy about this new arrival. I liked the way all the tall buildings twinkled in the night sky, but now, this new building’s top was stealing the show. Of course there was always the flashing neon display on one of the buildings, but you had to be in a certain area of the city to see it. But, there is no way you won’t see the top of the new Duke Energy tower.
I don’t know what the folks in Charlotte think of this new development, but it may start a night sky war – where every owner of a tall building tries to come up with something new to steal the show. And, before you know it Charlotte’s night sky looks like Las Vegas, and I don’t think anyone would be for that. And, I think the general public should have a say as to how the night sky is used in their community.
My vote would be for Duke to turn the lights out, but then I don’t get my energy from Duke Energy – so they can’t turn my lights out for saying I don’t like it.
Share this article
Tags: Charlotte NC, Duke Energy