Tryon St, Black Lives Matter mural reopens to traffic
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Charlotte City Council voted to reopen Tryon Street between 3rd and 4th Streets after business owners complained that it was impacting their revenues.
That portion of Tryon St. was closed to vehicular traffic shortly after the Black Lives Matter mural was painted there.
The street closure was never intended to be permanent and was part of a pilot project moved forward by city staff to find more pedestrian-friendly options for residents and Uptown and to protect the BLM mural from vandalism.
Councilman Braxton Winston was the only member to vote against reopening the street.
“By opening up the street and letting the BLM mural fade away we’re saying that McCormick and Schmick’s valet matters more than Black lives right now,” Winston said.
But Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt and Councilman Malcolm Graham said the decision was not about the businesses but about the people who work at the businesses.
The owner of McCormick and Schmick’s, which sits on the portion of Tryon that is closed, said that his company has lost revenue since the street closure.
Planning Director Taiwo Jaiyeoba said that the City has not been actively maintaining the mural since it’s been closed to vehicular traffic but that they would do a better job once cars are allowed on that portion of the street again.
However, he said that the mural would likely fade away due to weather and wear before the city plans to repave the street in 2021.
https://www.wbtv.com/2020/11/09/tryon-st-black-lives-matter-mural-re-opens-traffic-starting-tuesday/