The Greensboro Department of Transportation (GDOT) has been the driving force in keeping the Downtown Greenway's public/private partnership moving forward in design and funding. The divisions within GDOT include Engineering, Planning, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Public Transportation-GTA/SCAT, and Business and Parking. Services provided to residents, businesses and visitors include traffic signals and signs, transportation planning, parking, street lighting, sidewalks and bikeways.
In November 2017, a NCDOT Funding Resolution was adopted - accepting $3,331,815 in additional funding for the Phase 2 of the Downtown Greenway (Murrow Boulevard/Fisher Avenue) which will allow it to go under construction in 2018. This was accomplished through the dedicated efforts of City Council member Justin Outling, Assistant City Manager David Parrish, Greensboro Department of Transportation staff Adam Fischer and Tyler Meyer, and the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) led by Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter. This additional funding is certainly a reflection of the power of private funding that has leveraged local public funding as well as state and federal funds and the commitment of so many in the community, especially the work of GDOT.
We are very grateful for the partnership with GDOT and the Downtown Greenway. Adam Fischer serves on our Oversight Committee as well as our Finance Committee. Chris Spencer leads our Technical Team. Daniel Amstutz and Kym Smith serve on that team as well. Tyler Meyer and Stephen Carter serve on our Finance Committee and there are many others within the department who are working hard behind the scenes to make this project a reality. Thank you to all the GDOT staff for their dedication and service.
Do you use Parks & Recreation programs? How can they do things better?
Come out and share you ideas at: Greensboro Parks & Recreation Play2Play Public Workshop
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Van Dyke Performance Space, Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 North Davie Street
Drop in from 5:00-8:00 pm;
Short presentations at 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, & 7:00 pm
Click here for more information.
The Summit Avenue Streetscape Project
Final Design Public Meeting
Thursday, February 22, 20018
Greensboro History Museum, 130 Summit Avenue
6:00-8:00 pm
Open house format, drop in anytime.
Click here for more information. Comments can be made before March 8th by going to the City's website. Questions? Contact Eric Tart at eric.tart@greensboro-nc.gov
Cheers to our Downtown Greenway Volunteers!
If you volunteered in some way with the Downtown Greenway in 2017, we want to thank you—doesn’t matter how much or how little—we are grateful for you!
Please join us for a Volunteer Thank You Event on Tuesday, January 30, 2018
5:00-7:00 pm
Preyer Brewing Company
600 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro
Light hors d’oeuvres from Crafted The Art of Street Food and Preyer Brewing Co. beer will be served.
Please RSVP by January 25th to Laura Lorenz at llorenz@actiongreensboro.org
Two meetings are planned for residents of Ole Asheboro and Asheboro Square to meet with Vandorn Hinnant to start a conversation about the neighborhoods relationship to the Downtown Greenway. Please join us on two consecutive Mondays, January 29 and February 5th at 6:00 pm at New Zion Church, 408 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Questions? Please contact Bob Powell 336.772.5109. All residents of Ole Asheboro and Asheboro Square were mailed an invitation; all are welcome. Click here for the meeting invitation. Click here to find out more about Vandorn and his work.
We are THANKFUL for the accomplishments in 2017 and are LOOKING FORWARD to 2018!
2017 Highlights:
Opening of LoFi Park located at Smith/Battleground/Eugene in front of Joymongers Brewing Co. on September 23 including artist Jeannette Brossart's Home Sight bench.
The continuing increase in economic development: approximately $217 million in private economic development activity along the Downtown Greenway is completed or underway since 2008.
Construction on the southern section along Bragg Street between Eugene Street and MLK Boulevard was completed.
Construction was completed on the northern section along Eugene Street between Smith Street and Fisher Avenue and along Fisher Avenue between Eugene and Greene.
Phase 4 design complete along the railroad corridor.
There were 5,100 followers on Facebook, 4,500 followers on Twitter, and 3,200 followers on Instagram.
An average of 3,500 people per month used the open sections of the Downtown Greenway; last year's usage was 2,500 users per month on average.
2nd Wheels on the Greenway kids biking and safety event held at Morehead Park in May. Over 125 gently used bikes donated to children who attend Warnersville Recreation Center.
We partnered with the Bryan YMCA for the 5th year to offer free weekly fitness classes from May-October at Morehead Park; over 175 participated in the classes.
Over $13,000 was raised at the 8th Annual Run 4 the Greenway in October! New this year: the Run was moved to Morehead Park and we partnered with First Bank, Morehead Foundry, & UNCG to honor their 125th Anniversary.
2 Little Free Libraries were installed at Woven Works Park and Morehead Park in collaboration with Summit Rotary and Parks & Recreation. Girl Scout Troop 41769 is keeping the libraries stocked with books--feel free to drop books off!
The City of Greensboro secured $3.3 million from NCDOT for Downtown Greenway construction.
Looking ahead to 2018:
Volunteer Thank You Event planned for January 30th at Preyer Brewing Company and Crafted The Art of Street Food-if you are a Downtown Greenway volunteer, stay tuned for details.
2018 will be a big year as we start construction on the longest section of the Downtown Greenway-- Murrow Blvd beginning at Gate City Blvd, going underneath Summit Avenue and continuing to Fisher/Greene beginning in late winter 2018.
Phase 4 along the railroad corridor out to bid by end of 2018.
Both private and public support for this project has been tremendous. Almost $10.5 million has been contributed from private sources including foundations, corporations & businesses, and individuals. Over $24 million has been secured with public funds through two local bonds and federal transportation dollars. A $1 million Endowment for maintenance has been fully funded, privately.
Thanks to all of our many VOLUNTEERS and SUPPORTERS who have made 2017 a successful year for the Downtown Greenway!
News & Record columnist Susan Ladd writes article in December 6, 2017 edition on how the Downtown Greenway keeps getting better as each section is built and plans are finalized for remaining sections-- and we would agree! Click here to read the article. Susan also talked with Jeff Moore a designer from Kimley-Horn at the Phase 4 Public Meetings on November 30th and filmed him explaining the plans. Click here to watch the video. If you would like to review the plans for the final section of the Downtown Greenway on Phase 4, please go to the City's website. You can also share your comments on the plans by taking the short survey. Deadline for comments is December 15, 2017.
Click here for the updated construction timeline for the project.
If you were unable to attend the Public Meetings for Phase 4 on November 30, you can still review the plans and leave comments. Click here to review the plans. Click here to take the short survey and share your comments. Deadline for comments is December 15.
Phase 4 consists of the railroad corridor along the western edge of downtown heading northwest from Spring Garden Street to just north of Benjamin Parkway and the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant. The design plans are at the 75% stage of completion; this is the last opportunity to provide feedback before the final plans are complete.
The Downtown Greenway has been invited to participate in this year’s Well Spring Tree Decorating Contest. The decorated trees from 12 local non-profits will be displayed in Well Spring’s lobby beginning at their Opening Reception on November 30th through December 13th. The public is invited to stop by Well Spring from November 30-December 13 between 8:00 am-8:00 pm to view all the trees and vote for the tree that they like the best (and of course we hope that you vote for the Downtown Greenway tree!). Well Spring Retirement Community is located at 4100 Well Spring Drive off of Battleground Avenue on the north side of Greensboro.
Voting Guidelines:
The voting is open to the general public. People may come out to vote daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through December 13
People may visit as many times as they want to vote – but NO MORE THAN ONE VISIT PER DAY. Each visit, they get up to 3 votes – and they can use their votes however they wish. For example, on a visit they might want to use all 3 votes for the same tree, or they may divide their votes between 2 or 3 trees
Each participating organization automatically receives $500. The organization’s tree that receives the most votes will win an additional $2,000 from Well-Spring.
A sneak peek of the Downtown Greenway tree…..
When there is so much bad news around our country and world, it is nice to hear a story about people doing good. This article was in the October 2017 issue of the Parish Post -- Holy Trinity's monthly newsletter to its congregation. It tells a story about people coming together in the midst of the craziness of construction on the Downtown Greenway and along Fisher Avenue and making the most out of the closed lanes, dust, and detours. Thank you to Holy Trinity and their members for their continued support of the Downtown Greenway!
Click here to read the article.
Thank you to all the volunteers, runners, walkers, and all who attended the party in Morehead Park on the Downtown Greenway for the 8th Annual Run 4 the Greenway! There were some great costumes -- dogs, kids and adult! Local band from Westerwood Neighborhood- ToadFrogs rocked out the party in Morehead Park.
Click here for all the photos from the event. Special thanks to our title sponsor First Bank!
