Details on $400M Charlotte tennis stadium proposal + Queen City’s Negro League baseball roots

Andrew Nantais
·2 min read

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Hump Day!

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It’s down to the final four! Voting in this round will continue until Friday at 5 p.m.

Here’s your news.

1. Developer unveils $400M tennis project proposal in Charlotte’s River District

One of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments plans to move to Charlotte’s budding River District, building this stadium and 40 indoor clay tennis courts that Charlotteans could use year-round.
One of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments plans to move to Charlotte’s budding River District, building this stadium and 40 indoor clay tennis courts that Charlotteans could use year-round.

One of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world is considering a move to Charlotte’s budding River District.

The Western and Southern Open would be a $400 million project, Ford Perry, chief operating officer of Beemok Capital in Charleston, S.C., told Charlotte and Mecklenburg County officials today.

The development could mean four stadiums, five match courts and 40 indoor clay tennis courts that Charlotteans could use year-round near the Catawba River.

Joe Marusak details the proposal presented earlier today.

2. UNC Charlotte gets ‘transformational investment’ from NC group to create new center

Paola Pilonieta, a UNC Charlotte Cato of College of Education professor, works with students at Niner Elementary on the campus of UNC Charlotte.
Paola Pilonieta, a UNC Charlotte Cato of College of Education professor, works with students at Niner Elementary on the campus of UNC Charlotte.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will receive a historic gift to help address the state’s reading problems.

The Mebane Charitable Foundation selected the Cato College of Education at Charlotte for a five-year grant and potential endowment of up to $23 million. Charlotte was the top finisher in a competitive statewide search.

Anna Maria Della Costa shares more from the announcement.

3. ‘Is that a hornet’s nest on your cap?’ Paying homage to Charlotte’s Negro League team

Photo of the Charlotte Brown Hornets from 1934, one of the city’s early Negro League baseball teams. Little is known of the team.
Photo of the Charlotte Brown Hornets from 1934, one of the city’s early Negro League baseball teams. Little is known of the team.

Negro League baseball teams of Charlotte’s past were some of the most famous and successful on the East Coast of the U.S.

From the likes of the Black Hornets and Pepsi-Cola Giants, Charlotte’s tradition of Black baseball dates back to the 1880s. Some of the teams were filled by student baseball players from what is now Johnson C. Smith University.

Kendrick Marshall highlights Charlotte’s rich baseball history.

4. ‘Rabid raccoons’ are roaming Charlotte. Here’s what to do — or not do — if you see one

A raccoon found in south Charlotte has tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with several pets.
A raccoon found in south Charlotte has tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with several pets.

Rocket Raccoon may be a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but your local raccoon is definitely not.

In south Charlotte, a raccoon was found and tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with several pets. Rabies is virtually 100% fatal in pets when the virus spreads, according to the CDC, but there are ways to protect them.

Evan Moore explains.

5. Some more stories to read

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Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.