Charlotte's Storm Water System Exposed

In a fun piece of investigative journalism WCNC's Dianne Gallagher and videographer James Capozzi did a little spelunking under Uptown Charlotte's streets.  The report points out something that "locals" have known all along that Charlotte's storm water system and storm drains are all interconnected.

The main idea of the report is that Charlotte is at risk because of an overwhelming lack of security with regards to the city's infrastructure. The complete WCNC report is here.

Yes it would be pretty easy to park your car at Freedom Park and causally walk along Charlotte's Little Sugar Creek then disappear into a tunnel and 30 minutes later you are standing in the middle of the DNC security zone undetected.

Overhead the street. Photo Credit Urban Explorer Aurelie Curie

But CMPD doesn't seem very concerned, their classic and predictable response:

 "While we do work very closely with our partners in storm water services, we are not going to divulge any security specifics or strategies."

In other words, "Whoa we didn't think of that."

Cedar's Take: The same applies to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and much of Charlotte. Back in the day, before Fairview Road was built, you could drive through the Sugar Creek sewage treatment plant as a short cut between SouthPark and South Blvd. The one lane bridge at the plant was the only way across Sugar Creek without going down to Archdale Drive and if you didn't mind the stink it would save you a good amount of time.

Charlotte's Urban Explorers will not be happy about the "revel" nothing like the news media spoiling your fun. More of UE Aurelie's photos here.

Major props to Ms. Gallagher for going where most of us would rather not. But those boots? Good thing the fashion police where nowhere to be found.