Benefits of Adaptive Reuse in Urban Development

Real estate development professional Chad Faglier has served as a project manager for a building and design firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2009. In his work, Chad Faglier draws upon his interest in urban development and adaptive reuse of old buildings.

For many, the term “urban development” conjures images of old buildings demolished and new skyscrapers erected. In recent years, however, urban planning projects from the United States to China have increasingly reused established warehouses, factories, and other old buildings in urban spaces, a practice known as adaptive reuse. 

Adaptive reuse has multiple advantages for urban development professionals, including:

- Cultural benefits. A city’s character is composed, in part, by its social, cultural, and architectural history. Whether the old buildings are warehouses, churches, or factories, they contain chapters of a community’s history. By repurposing old buildings, that history can live on for the new generations who use them. 

- Environmental benefits. By reusing existing structures, cities create less waste that requires disposal, conserve the resources needed for new construction, and save the fuel and energy required to demolish old buildings, 

- Business benefits. According to a study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, urban areas with new buildings are less likely to encourage new entrepreneurial activity than urban areas with repurposed historic buildings.

Charlotte Craft Beer Industry Fuels Urban Development

Chad Faglier draws on experience in both residential and commercial property development to serve as a project manager in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the property manager of the NoDa Street Market in Charlotte’s North Davidson neighborhood, Chad Faglier has played a significant role in spurring the city’s urban development. 


The growing popularity and accessibility of craft beer have been key drivers of urban development in Charlotte. In 2005, then-governor Mike Easley signed the Pop the Cap initiative, which raised the alcohol-by-volume limit for beer sold in the state to 15 percent. Previously, producers and retailers could only sell beer that did not exceed 6 percent ABV. 


Brought about in large part by public campaigning at the grassroots level, this significant change has greatly expanded the professional possibilities for individuals interested in the craft brewing sector. Pop the Cap ushered in a new wave of breweries, cideries, and meaderies in North Carolina, with many of them springing up in and around Charlotte. 


Since 2010, the number of licensed breweries in the state has increased from 45 to approximately 160, More than 30 of these establishments are in the Charlotte area, which produced an impressive 93,000 barrels of craft beverages in 2016 alone. The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce estimates that this bourgeoning sector has created over 500 new jobs and allowed Charlotte to exceed the national average for brewery employment by 22 percent. Statewide, the number of new brewery jobs is closer to 3,000. 


One of Charlotte’s newest breweries, Divine Barrel Brewing, highlights the importance of the industry to North Carolina’s urban development. Offering an array of sour and wild beer varieties, as well as an expansive patio, Divine Barrel will serve as one of the anchor tenants at NoDa Street Market, a new mixed-used development in the North Davidson neighborhood. The area will offer dining, shopping, and entertainment in a fun and highly accessible atmosphere, and it will rely partially on the presence of the new brewery to help draw crowds to the art-and-entertainment district.

Community Gardens Beneficial to Urban Populations

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chad Faglier serves as a project manager focused on home construction. In addition, Chad Faglier is a property manager with NoDa Street Market, a new shopping and dining destination that formerly served as the site of two warehouse buildings. Repurposing old structures for new uses, such as the NoDa Street Market project, is an example of urban development.

Another form of urban development is community gardens, which can have many positive effects on the people who work in and live near them. Studies show that the presence of a community garden may help to motivate urban populations to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. The option to eat healthier at a lower price by consuming fresh produce from a neighborhood garden is often cheaper and more accessible than traveling across a city to purchase fruits and vegetables from a grocery store. Additionally, working in a public garden may help create stronger bonds between people from different backgrounds, creating a stronger sense of community among locals.

Further research has shown that gardening as a hobby can be a great way for individuals to relieve stress, fight feelings of depression, and develop confidence. It can also provide an opportunity for community members to go outside and become active, which contributes to better overall physical health.

Brazil's FIFA World Cup Domination

Skilled in metal fabrication and design, Chad Faglier is a project manager for a North Carolina-based home builder company. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Chad Faglier's interests include Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup soccer. 

Since 1930, the best soccer nations have converged on a host site every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) to determine the world's premier team. Eight countries have combined to win 20 FIFA World Cup tournaments, although no nation has acquired more titles than Brazil, which has won five times and appeared in seven World Cup finals. Germany and Italy are tied for the second-most victories with four each. 

Brazil won its first World Cup in 1958 by defeating Sweden 5-2 in the final. It outscored its opposition 16-4 and won five of its six games, with its only blemish standing as a scoreless draw against England. Brazil defended its championship in 1962 with a 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia in the final. The South American country won again in 1970, 1994, and 2002. It hosted the 2014 World Cup, which was won by Germany.

Three Best U.S. Cities for Craft Beer

Project Manager Chad Faglier enjoys relaxing with a craft beer in his free time. America has a number of popular craft beer producing cities, and for those like Chad Faglier who have an affinity for artisan brews, a visit to each may prove interesting. Here are three U.S. cities that offer brewery tours and craft beer tastings -

1. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Grand Rapids boasts 23 breweries, and the opportunity for visitors to sign up for a Brewsader Passport to collect stamps for each Grand Rapids brewery visited. USA Today voted this city 'Best Beer Town' in 2016.

2. Seattle, Washington - Washington may be known for its coffee culture, but it also has more than 300 breweries – 83 of which opened last year. Most Washington breweries source the hops for their beer locally.

3. San Diego, California - If planning a visit to this sprawling city, set your trip during San Diego Beer Week in the winter. Home to more than 120 breweries, brewpubs, and microbreweries, beer nerds know this city as the birthplace of the double IPA. This style of beer has proven particularly popular in the western United States.

Muhsin Muhammad - An All-Time Underrated Carolina Panthers Great

Accomplished professional Chad Faglier has served as a project manager in the home-building industry in Charlotte, North Carolina. Apart from his work life, Chad Faglier is an avid fan of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. 

Few would argue that names like Julius Peppers and Steve Smith, Sr., belong among the pantheon of all-time great Carolina Panthers. Some contributors, however, have gone largely unrecognized for their efforts over the years. According to NFL.com, Muhsin Muhammad is one of the most prominent names on that list.

Muhammad ranks in the top 20 for receptions in league history. Additionally, his 11,436 career receiving yards are good for 24th on the all-time list. His 2004 season stands out as the best in his career, during which time he racked up 1,405 yards on 93 receptions. For the next two seasons, however, Muhammad tallied more than 90 catches - an impressive feat for any NFL receiver. Consistency is the hallmark of his career, however, as he achieved at least 50 receptions per year over his last nine seasons in Carolina.

America's Top Selling Breweries – 2016

North Carolinian Chad Faglier leads an active lifestyle of traveling, snowboarding, and surfing. Aside from this, Chad Faglier also enjoys learning about and sampling fine craft beers.

The Brewers Association’s CraftBeer.com releases an annual list ranking American craft breweries. Out of more than 5,200 breweries operating in the United States, the following craft operations led the way in sales. 

The top honor went to D. G. Yuengling & Son, based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. As America's oldest brewery, Yuengling continues to lead the way in domestic beer sales. The brewery has produced some of America's favorite lagers for well over a century.

Boston Beer Company of Boston, Massachusetts took second place. Boston Beer Company is best known for Samuel Adams Boston Lager and more than 60 other varieties of Samuel Adams beers. 

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California won the third place honor. Best known for its flagship pale ale, Sierra Nevada also releases a variety of offbeat and seasonal brews each year.