City Grill

Pat Rodgers
CEO
Rodgers Builders

Just how busy Charlotte’s construction industry is can be seen by looking over its bustling skylines, including Center City, South End and Ballantyne, says Rodgers. “The skyline is filled with cranes, symbolizing the surge in multifamily, health care and education [projects],” she says, adding that commercial work still has some momentum but not at the same level as in past years.

That activity is thanks to the 40,000-plus people who move to Charlotte each year, Rodgers says, with public-private partnerships like the Charlotte Mecklenburg new Main Library, for which Rodgers Builders is contractor, underscoring the city’s commitment to accommodating that growth. The corporate community and local government also recognize the pressing need to address infrastructure challenges as well, she adds, including work to expand Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

“Infrastructure demands, including transportation, are areas of focus amidst Charlotte’s rapid growth,” Rodgers says.

As in other cities, Eric Reichard, president at Rodgers, says the industry is still grappling with a shortage of skilled labor.

“It’s a testament to Charlotte’s growth and vitality that multiple large-scale projects are currently underway. But ensuring an adequate workforce remains a priority,” Reichard says, describing it as one of the Charlotte market’s major challenges. “With many large projects happening at once, finding enough skilled labor is a top priority.”

The construction sector’s workforce needs are supported by the corporate community, investments in skilled training and the latest technology, Rodgers says, and while challenges persist, the community is making strides toward developing local workers through initiatives at Central Piedmont Community College as well as a local program Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction (ROC), which recruits, educates and mentors high school students for careers in construction.

She 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 the November of the prior year. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the largest projects slated for bond funding include more than $200 million each for three new high schools.

“Despite some lingering supply chain challenges, the region is embracing innovative solutions,” Rodgers says, noting specifically the library project as one that shows the firm’s commitment to collaboration. “Charlotte has a remarkable track record of success through public-private partnerships, which are essential for economic development, cultural enrichment and educational advancement.”

The new pedestrian bridge is a main feature of Stream Park, linking it with the nearby dining and retail district.
Rendering courtesy Landdesign Inc.

She notes major projects in the city including the new Main Library, expansions by Novant Health and Atrium Health as well as growth on the campus of the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

Subcontractor pricing has become more reliable, Reichard says, and the market has stabilized somewhat from the extreme cost escalation seen in 2022 and 2023. Lead times for equipment can still pose some challenges.

Headlining Rodgers Builders’ current slate of projects alongside the library, which it’s working on with design architect Snøhetta, are the new Davidson College Football Stadium; the 1.1-million-sq-ft, 12-story Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Bed Tower; and the 183,000-sq-ft Central Piedmont Community College Parr Center.

“We remain optimistic about the future, fueled by our collaborative approach to community development,” Rodgers says. “These challenges require us to be more creative and innovative ... to ensure continued growth.”