In May, council voted 6-5 to withdraw support for the project’s public-private partnership funding model. Since then, the debate has shifted toward the financial consequences of stopping the project.
Charlotte could face a state repayment claim of about $70 million for preliminary project costs already incurred. That potential bill has become a major factor as council members reconsider their earlier position.
At the same time, NCDOT has offered potential community benefits along the I-77 corridor. Those could include bridge improvements, sidewalks, bike connections, relocation assistance and other neighborhood investments…