This is an image of the Charlotte skyline, which can be seen from various parts of Optimist Park. Charlotte has brought both growth and struggle to the community of Optimist Park. The growth has been spawned from expansion of the light rail and increased apartment-style residences, but the struggles have come from the fact that the city is slowly encroaching further and further on the community's residents. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact

This is the map outlining the borders of the Optimist Park community. Optimist Park extends all of the way from the Fourth Ward of uptown Charlotte towards the arts district of NoDa. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjNmP6TmcfMAhVBOSYKHbeEAmoQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.charlotteagenda.com%2F28264%2Fhighland-park-mill-development%2F&psig=AFQjCNFhanGi372NKf0KWnYxBfRgryXJJg&ust=1462684129240085

Millard and Linda Fuller are the founders of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat was brought to Charlotte in 1983, and has served over 1,500 families, many of which were from Optimist Park. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj8n_fImMfMAhXFWSYKHXFtB1oQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhabitatmetromded.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Flinda-and-millard-fuller%2F&psig=AFQjCNGGD8e99z6KzofKdpGc4P3GXG86zQ&ust=1462683976821424

Pictured is John Crosland Jr. (left) and Bert Green, who is the executive director of Habitat for Humanity. They are looking at blueprints for a future home in this photo. Crosland was on the Charlotte initiative for Habitat for Humanity, and served on the committee until 1989. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiVsObYmMfMAhXE4CYKHZkoCGwQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.builderonline.com%2Fbuilder-100%2Fleadership%2Fcharlottes-force-

Pictured are President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who, along with the Fullers, helped bring Habitat for Humanity into the Optimist Park neighborhood. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiHl7PnmMfMAhWG6yYKHdNnDx8QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.people.com%2Farticle%2Fjimmy-carter-cancer-fight-wife-rosalynn-helping-cope&psig=AFQjCNGX3Qwh-1nx7w44hK3-dxYlhtgROw&ust=1462684040966232

President Jimmy Carter visited Optimist Park often, not only for presidential business, but also to check on the progress and success of Optimist Park and Habitat for Humanity in that area.

Here is President Jimmy Carter helping build a Habitat for Humanity home in Optimist Park. President Carter was a big advocate for Habitat and helped in any way that he could, even personally helping in some home builds. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj87sKomcfMAhWKRiYKHQ4pCrMQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmstory.org%2Fcontent%2F1987-habitat-humanity&psig=AFQjCNFSXNQpk-pyXx_R0mRE1jiiy_X9cQ&ust=1462684174422308

Here is the "original" Alpha Mills Village that used to be in Optimist Park. The apartments that are being developed in this area currently are being modeled around this mill style of design. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwicqfLimcfMAhXGbSYKHYXaAIoQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmhpf.org%2Fkids%2Fneighborhoods%2Fbelmont-et-al.html&bvm=bv.121421273,d.eWE&psig=AFQjCNEQEk-P7RYfUsLIfwE0G6l9qCFuuw&ust=1462684299847452

David Ravin is the CEO of Alpha Mill Apartments, the company that is developing apartments in Optimist Park that are creating a stir about whether they will help or hinder the area. source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj_lZzvmcfMAhUJJiYKHWcoANEQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fcharlotte%2Fblog%2Freal_estate%2F2013%2F09%2Fnorthwood-ravin-plans-redevelopment-of.html%3Ffull%3Dtrue&psig=AFQjCNFC1vZ_SWAQ6G3xRcPtep4dYIK3Pw&