Restaurant owner tells council Sugar Creek light-rail access remains blocked, urges Charlotte Area Transit System to act

Summary

Seoul Gas Lounge owner Lisa Castanis told council the new transit station at The Pass (Sugar Creek Station) lacks direct accessible access from the adjacent development, saying riders and EMS have had difficulty; she asked council to press Charlotte Area Transit System and the property owner to resolve the access and signage.

Lisa Castanis, owner of Seoul Gas Lounge at The Pass development next to Sugar Creek Station, told City Council during the public forum that the station entrance adjacent to her business remains inaccessible to the pass and that the lack of clear access creates safety and operational problems.

Castanis described a broad concrete walkway blocked by 300 feet of metal railing, a wheelchair ramp that terminates at a metal rail and no direct platform access from the pass. She said the only practical access point is at the transit center at the far end of the parking lot and that riders sometimes jump gates to reach the station. She also said EMS once had difficulty finding an access point during a medical emergency. Castanis said the developer (Third & Urban) had promised work and "CATS" (Charlotte Area Transit System) had identified safety concerns, and she asked council to call upon CATS to make the station a priority for logical access and signage.

Council asked staff to follow up. Councilmember Liz (miss Liz Babson, staff) was asked to speak with Castanis and ensure staff reviews the situation and reports back. Staff and council did not take formal action or vote at the meeting.