Except for some minor touch-ups, Five Points Plaza is all but complete.
On Saturday, March 12, the city of Charlotte and the Knight Foundation will host a ribbon cutting and grand opening festival that will last for most of the day.
ICYMI: Five Points Plaza is the newest outdoor space in Historic West End, a part of town that has seen explosive growth and change. Although the plaza has not been officially christened, residents have wasted no time making use of its swings and outdoor seating areas.
Features include an amphitheater, water splash pad, public Wi-Fi, swings, tables and chairs, artwork and signage, solar-lighting brick pavers and a decorative wall. A community-led team will plan year-round events at the plaza.
Historic West End
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When fully operational, the $5.5 million plaza will host events as well as serve as a meeting spot for West End residents. The Knight Foundation has set up a calendar (and email list) so that locals can track plaza activities.
The Knight Foundation has invested millions of dollars in support of various West End initiatives, including nearly $400,000 to jump-start community-driven programming at Five Points Plaza.
Knight said at the time of its three-year pledge that grant funds would pay to hire a part-time events coordinator, train JCSU students to serve as plaza ambassadors, and cover the costs of plaza equipment and some initial events.
The city hired Jessica Macks to coordinate plaza activities.
The kick-off event will include “entertainment, education, food and family-friendly fun,” according to a city website.
If You Go:
Date: Saturday, March 12
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: the intersection of West Trade Street, State Street, 5th Street and Beatties Ford Road
Cost: Free
This article was published as part of our West End Journalism Project, which is funded by a grant by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.