NoDa: a mill village that became an arts district
NoDa, short for North Davidson arts, is centered on North Davidson Street and 36th Street, about two and a half miles northeast of Uptown. It lies inside the North Charlotte neighborhood and was once an area of textile manufacturing and mill workers' houses. The North Charlotte neighborhood began development in 1903 on farmland about two miles north of the city limits, conceived by textile leaders as a self-contained industrial district. Highland Park Mill No. 3 was the first mill, and a village of worker housing was built across North Davidson Street from it.
NoDa shares its geography with Historic North Charlotte, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The name was coined by architect Russell Pound. Today the area is an entertainment district with art galleries, music venues, restaurants, bars and shops, and it is known for its gallery crawls.
Plaza Midwood: a 1910 streetcar suburb
Plaza Midwood is about a mile east of Uptown, roughly bounded by Hawthorne Lane on the west, The Plaza on the north, Briar Creek Road and the Charlotte Country Club on the east and Central Avenue on the south. It was established in 1910 as a streetcar suburb, with its roads laid out by the Oakland Land Company. The Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association formed in 1975 to protect and preserve it.
The area along The Plaza, Thomas Avenue and parts of Pecan and Clement was designated a Local Historic District in 1992 and is regulated by the Historic District Commission. South of Central Avenue is the 19-acre Veterans Park. The neighborhood is known for art galleries, shops and restaurants.
Planning an event here
Former mill buildings and brick storefronts suit gallery-style receptions, launches, fundraisers and dinners with character. Small galleries and restaurants suit gatherings of a few dozen guests. In Plaza Midwood, ask whether the Historic District Commission's rules affect any structure you plan to add in the local historic district.
Any event that uses a street or sidewalk in either neighborhood needs a CDOT permit, with an application at least 30 days ahead and $1 million in commercial general liability coverage naming the City as an additional insured. Beer and wine on a closed street also require a CDOT permit. Events on private property or inside venues do not, though a tent over 800 square feet needs a Charlotte Fire Department permit.
Getting guests there
NoDa and Plaza Midwood are both close to Uptown, which makes rideshare and short drives practical for guests. Send clear parking and drop-off directions ahead of the event, and tell guests which side street or lot to use so arrivals do not stack up on the main streets.
Questions about hosting here
What does NoDa stand for?
NoDa stands for North Davidson arts. The name was coined by architect Russell Pound, and the district is centered on North Davidson Street and 36th Street.
Is NoDa historic?
It shares its geography with Historic North Charlotte, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the local historic district in Plaza Midwood?
The area along The Plaza, Thomas Avenue and parts of Pecan and Clement was designated a Local Historic District in 1992 and is regulated by the Historic District Commission.
Do I need a permit to close a street for a party?
Yes. A street closure goes through CDOT, and a neighborhood block party needs a petition signed by 51 percent of residents on the affected portion of the street, submitted at least 30 days ahead.
How far are NoDa and Plaza Midwood from Uptown?
NoDa is about two and a half miles northeast of Uptown, and Plaza Midwood is about a mile east.
More neighborhoods and next steps
Read the permits guide and the tents guide before you commit to a site, then browse the planner directory.