The economic development of downtown Greensboro continues on an upward trend according to President of Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) and Greensboro City Councilmember Zack Matheny, speaking at the annual fall event sponsored by DGI held at the Cadillac Service Garage on East Market Street on Thursday, Oct. 19.
Matheny told the crowd that there was currently $800 million in downtown economic development in the pipeline, including two new residential developments, an AC Hotel, new restaurants, the expansion of Natty Greene’s and the revitalization of the old train depot at the corner of South Elm Street and Smothers Place built in 1889.
When most people in Greensboro think of the train depot, they think of the Doug Galyon Depot on Washington Street built in 1927 and renovated to become a multi-modal transportation center, not the old train depot on South Elm that it replaced.
Matheny said that in the past year there have been 8.4 million visits to downtown Greensboro and 23 new businesses had opened. Those new businesses include 13 new restaurants and bars and 10 service and retail businesses. Matheny also noted that 12 outdoor patios had been added to downtown restaurants.
He noted that the Downtown Greensboro Ambassador Program has assisted 93,000 people during the past year.
Matheny also said that DGI had made its largest outside investment in a partnership with North Carolina A&T State University to develop self-driving shuttles to connect the A&T campus with downtown Greensboro. The shuttle service was launched in September.
Matheny said, “This is an exciting time for our city center and our time is now. Beyond just our borders, a thriving downtown is critical to the success of our community. This is everyone’s downtown and together we can continue to activate and grow in a way that support the social and economic development of our city center and improves the quality of life for all Greensboro residents.”
Matheny noted the tremendous economic growth in the area including the Toyota battery plant at the Greensboro Randolph Megasite, Boom Supersonic and all the growth at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, the Publix distribution center that was providing thousands of jobs and said that a “vibrant downtown” was a key part of bringing that growth to the area.
How many bleeping shuttles do we need?
23 new businesses? How many have closed? Other than government, and service businesses, there is no need to go downtown, or desire to. This whole presentation looks like grand-standing. Expansion of Natty Green’s? Govt subsidizing private business? Shuttle service to a govt-funded State University?
Looks like another property tax increase coming to your house soon.
Name something the govt does well.
Downtown is a great place with fun restaurants, shops, music, and businesses. You need to venture out of your house more and go down one Saturday and have some fun rather than just complaining all the time.
Can it be better? Yes. Is there a homeless issue? Yes. Is it a murder place like you seem to think? Absolutely not.
I get your point. Maybe I do sound like that. But, you haven’t a clue what I do; when, where, or how. You don’t know where I’ve been, or where I am going. You know nothing of my personal life. So a personal attack about something your know nothing about, is what your reply is.
Murders? Most committed here, and nationwide, are black-on-black, drug related. That is a fact, not opinion. Year before last, Greensboro had more homicides than the City of Portland, OR; and is on track to do it again, this year. Also factual.
Considering what is going on in Portland now, I would not venture into that city day or night. It is not that bad here….yet. I will not venture into town, and other parts of the city, day or night, without having to. You can have at it, your choice.
I registered as a Democrat, my first presidential election was Goldwater-Johnson. I voted for Goldwater. I am a social liberal, and a fiscal conservative. Leave me alone, and I will leave you alone. I guess that makes me a Libertarian. So you know that about me now.
I have my opinions about our govt, downtown, Raleigh, or Washington. Mostly negative. Any suggestion about something our govt does well?
Man how is the Downtowns In our neighboring rural counties doing? Lol