Michael J Smith, President of Center City Partners since 2005, discusses his organization's relationship with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He talks first about the University's Center City Building, and how academic institutions are an important component of uptown development, citing Johnson & Wales campus as an example. Mr. Smith also discusses future plans for the area around the Center City Building, including the possibility of an "education-type" district with Wake Forest anchoring the other end, and First Ward Park as the focal point. Mr. Smith also talks about the impact of light rail and how it will benefit both Charlotte and UNC Charlotte.
