Grill of the city
Pat Rodgers
CEO
Rodgers Builders
You can see how busy Charlotte’s construction industry is by looking at its bustling skylines, including Center City, the South End and Ballantyne, Rodgers says. “The horizon is filled with cranes, symbolizing the rise of multifamily, health and education [projects]”, he says, adding that commercial work still has some momentum, but not at the same level as in previous years.
That activity is thanks to the more than 40,000 people who move to Charlotte each year, Rodgers says, with public-private partnerships like the new Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library, on which Rodgers Builders is the contractor, underscoring the commitment of the city to accommodate this growth. The corporate community and local government also recognize the urgent need to address infrastructure challenges as well, he adds, including work to expand Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
“Infrastructure demands, including transportation, are areas of focus amid Charlotte’s rapid growth,” says Rodgers.
As in other cities, Eric Reichard, president of Rodgers, says the industry is still struggling with a shortage of skilled labor.
“It’s a testament to Charlotte’s growth and vibrancy that multiple large-scale projects are currently underway. But ensuring an adequate workforce remains a priority,” says Reichard, who describes it as one of the market’s top challenges. Charlotte. “With many large projects happening at once, finding enough skilled labor is a priority.”
“It’s a testament to Charlotte’s growth and vibrancy that multiple large-scale projects are currently underway.”
—Eric Reichard, President, Rodgers Builders
The construction industry’s workforce needs are supported by the corporate community, investments in skilled training and the latest technology, Rodgers says, and while challenges remain, the community is making progress toward developing local workers through initiatives at Central Piedmont Community College as well as a local. Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction (ROC) program, which recruits, educates and mentors high school students for careers in construction.
He also points to the impact on development projects of school construction bonds, $2.5 billion of which local voters approved in November after approving nearly $200 million in November of the previous year. The largest projects slated for bond financing include more than $200 million each for three new high schools, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
“Despite some lingering supply chain challenges, the region is embracing innovative solutions,” says Rodgers, pointing specifically to the library project as one that shows the company’s commitment to collaboration. “Charlotte has a remarkable record of success through public-private partnerships, which are essential to economic development, cultural enrichment and educational advancement.”
The new pedestrian bridge is a major feature of Stream Park, connecting it to the nearby shopping and dining district.
Rendering courtesy of Landdesign Inc.
Check out the city’s major projects, including the new main library, Novant Health and Atrium Health expansions, as well as growth at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte campus.
Subcontractor pricing has become more reliable, Reichard says, and the market has stabilized somewhat since the extreme cost escalation seen in 2022 and 2023. Equipment delivery times may still pose some challenges.
Davidson University’s new football stadium, topping Rodgers Builders’ list of current projects, along with the library, which it’s working on with design architect Snøhetta; the 12-story, 1.1 million-square-foot Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Bed Tower; and the 183,000-square-meter Parr Center of the Central Piedmont Community University’s Parr Center.
“We remain optimistic about the future, driven by our collaborative approach to community development,” says Rodgers. “These challenges require us to be more creative and innovative … to ensure continued growth.”
