Money train.

• Author: Singe, Kerry
• Position: STATEWIDE: Charlotte

By UNC Charlotte, 10 miles north of downtown, two new parking decks have taken form, North Tryon Street has been widened, and tulip magnolias and day lilies planted. A station platform has been built for the city's expanded light-rail system, which was supposed to start service in August, but it will sit idle for a bit longer: The Charlotte Area Transit System pushed back the opening of the $1.16 billion extension to March because of construction delays.

It's a disappointment for residents seeking traffic relief, and to university students hoping to catch trains to restaurants, concerts and other downtown attractions. But economic developers say the project is already serving its purpose.

"There is so much momentum around this," says Darlene Heater, executive director of University City Partners, which promotes development in the region of about 12,000 residents. "The transformation of University City into an urban community is real and it is coming, largely due to installation of this rail line," she says.

Projects totaling more than $200 million are planned or under construction along the 9.3-mile extension, including about 1,294 apartments already being built, according to CATS in early May. The city estimates the extension will attract $4.4 billion in new development by 2035, with ridership for the full line averaging 51,000 people a day. While that expansion is cheered...