Downtown Greensboro Developments

[cityboi]

Phase 2 of Union Square at South Elm Street and Gate City Blvd on city council's agenda. The project is to include a 7- story parking deck with 5 story apartments wrapping around part of the deck. Commercial and retail will also be included .

 

https://greensboro.com/business/apartments-and-parking-extend-downtown-gateway-in-deal-with-greensboro/article_56109e9e-85b2-11eb-86e0-5b8e37c07bda.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

https://www.rhinotimes.com/news/further-development-of-union-square-on-city-council-agenda/

Edited March 16, 2021 by cityboi

[SydneyCarton]

I don’t know where to put this, so I’m pasting it here.  March 15th is the anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Edited March 16, 2021 by SydneyCarton

[jthomas]

14 hours ago, cityboi said:

Phase 2 of Union Square at South Elm Street and Gate City Blvd on city council's agenda. The project is to include a 7- story parking deck with 5 story apartments wrapping around part of the deck. Commercial and retail will also be included .

 

https://greensboro.com/business/apartments-and-parking-extend-downtown-gateway-in-deal-with-greensboro/article_56109e9e-85b2-11eb-86e0-5b8e37c07bda.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

https://www.rhinotimes.com/news/further-development-of-union-square-on-city-council-agenda/

This sounds like it will be a better, more intense use of this parcel than the previously proposed townhomes. Looking forward to seeing some renderings.

Edit: I was mistaken - this isn't the townhouse parcel. Wonder what the status of that project is.

Edited March 16, 2021 by jthomas

[cityboi]

12 hours ago, jthomas said:

This sounds like it will be a better, more intense use of this parcel than the previously proposed townhomes. Looking forward to seeing some renderings.

Edit: I was mistaken - this isn't the townhouse parcel. Wonder what the status of that project is.

Not sure but the first steps seems to be taking place. I imagine construction will begin within a few years.

[cityboi]

Pretty cool projects planned for Downtown.

VISION 2030 - presented by the City of Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro Inc.

- A large public market at the depot

- forget trolleys which were the big thing in the 1990s.....self driving shuttles for alternative downtown public transportation is the new 21st century option. The self driving vehicles routes will also connect downtown with the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and Koury Convention Center. There will be designated autonomous shuttle lanes downtown which will be a part of the downtown screetscape plan that will widen sidewalks and add landscaped plazas on wide one way streets that are currently not as pedestrian friendly.

- shipping containers built into retail spaces at the depot which we are starting to see in some of the larger cities. They are funky cool and very urban. I can also see developer Marty Kotis doing this on the property he owns on the southern end of downtown.

- mixed-use development 

- downtown gateways 

- Battleground Entertainment District 

- 3,000 to 5,000 seat downtown arena.

And more.

 

 

https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/2030-vision-shipping-containers-as-shops-a-downtown-arena-what-greensboro-will-look-like-years-from-now/83-a873ea11-b404-45a7-8811-2acf861e6214

 

Here is a link to to 2030 vision plan

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4d4gawbaxae5pb/DT-GBoro-2030-Strat-Plan_Draft-Document_2020-11-17.pdf?dl=0

Some Charette renderings which show development around the depot which include a public market, shipping container retail, midrise development.

 

 

Container hub and mixed-use option at the corner of Davie and Washington Street at the depot. The container hub would be fitting for its location at the train station/bus depot.

Large public market for vendors.

Downtown gateways at South End/ LoDo

Battleground Entertainment District near the ballpark which will include entertainment venues, live music venues, small theater venues, restaurants, bars and retail. This will become downtown Greensboro's second entertainment district and will anchor the North End of downtown like the South End entertainment district. The section of Battleground Ave shown in the rendering below would be shut down on weekends to activate festival street activities.

Multi- purpose Downtown arena (3,000 - 5,000 seats) .  Every decade we see a major venue being proposed for downtown. In the early 2000s it was the ballpark. In the 2010s it was the performing arts center. In this decade a small arena is being proposed. Because we have the 23,000 seat Greensboro Coliseum, it doesn't make sense to build a larger arena downtown but there is a niche for a small arena.  Let's bring minor league hockey back to the city and maybe arena football and they can play in a downtown arena that is being implemented in the vision plan. The arena would also be used for concerts, conferences and local school/college events. The only site ripe for such an arena is the News and Record site. There is enough land for a small arena, small convention center and some residential and office. This may be why the city is building a new parking deck along Davie Street to prepare for such development.  The arena and convention center needs to be in one building. Another thing I like about this proposal is that we are doing something Durham has not done yet lol.

I can see all of these projects being implemented. The plan reminds me of the downtown plan presented by Action Greensboro in 1999. Just about everything in that plan has been built even though it seemed lofty at the time.

The arena will become an anchor venue like the ballpark and the performing  arts center. While the News and Record site would likely be the preferred site for an arena, technically it could be built on the opposite corner of the ballpark east of Carroll South of the Ballpark/AC Hotel and South of Carroll at Bellemeade/Hyatt Place. But owners of the property would have to be willing to sell. Currently the site consists of law offices and a parking lot. But there are less road blocks with the News and Record site. Plus it would be part of a larger development complex which would include the Westin Hotel across the street and a potential adjoining convention center to an arena. This would be huge for downtown and would attract more out of town visitors to the city center which would lead to further hotel development. If an arena is built, it needs to be something architecturally significant and ultra modern. Enough with the so so average architecture. While the Steven Tanger Center is great, there were missed opportunities to build a PAC that could architecturally make Greensboro stand out. Most of the money was spent on the inside and it shows 

Edited April 3, 2021 by cityboi

[SydneyCarton]

I hope that this stuff gets built.  Greensboro has a lot of potential.

[cityboi]

Other development new. The city recently voted to sell property to an Atlanta developer next to Union Square on the south end of downtown. The development will consist of a 5-story apartments called Union Square Apartments with ground floor commercial space, plaza and a 7-story parking deck with fabric screening. The downtown greenway backs the development. It will be the second phase of the Union Square development. The third phase will include more residential and a hotel.

 

Edited April 9, 2021 by cityboi

[nicholas]

Cruisin down Elm St

[cityboi]

One Thirteen Brewhouse and Roof Top Bar. A recently opened 4-story bar. Each floor has its own bar and the roof top has two levels.

The first level has a craft beer and full cocktail menu bar. The second floor has a more upscale whiskey and bourbon bar then there are the two rooftop levels both having their own bar. And of course there is live music.

https://www.wfmynews2.com/mobile/article/entertainment/the-newest-addition-to-greensboros-nightlife-is-like-no-other/83-9efe126c-aa55-4851-ae4c-f38bad7b278e

 

Lewis & Elm Street Wine Bar recently opened diagonally across the street from Bourbon Bowl.

Edited May 30, 2021 by cityboi

[jthomas]

Update on the construction at the site of the old Mexico restaurant near Battleground and Hill Street, on the edge of downtown:

https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2021/06/03/developer-contractor-move-into-new-building.html

4 stories, 50,000 sf of office. That represents a slight scaling back from earlier plans, which called for a mixed-use building with office and 32 apartments.

I have to say, the design is pretty underwhelming IMO...

[cityboi]

5 hours ago, jthomas said:

Update on the construction at the site of the old Mexico restaurant near Battleground and Hill Street, on the edge of downtown:

https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2021/06/03/developer-contractor-move-into-new-building.html

4 stories, 50,000 sf of office. That represents a slight scaling back from earlier plans, which called for a mixed-use building with office and 32 apartments.

I have to say, the design is pretty underwhelming IMO...

I agree. Not a good transition development between downtown and midtown. I can deal with scaling back but the design is abysmal. Developers just don't want to spend the extra money for good design.

Edited June 3, 2021 by cityboi

[drawscape]

On 6/3/2021 at 12:35 PM, jthomas said:

Update on the construction at the site of the old Mexico restaurant near Battleground and Hill Street, on the edge of downtown:

https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2021/06/03/developer-contractor-move-into-new-building.html

4 stories, 50,000 sf of office. That represents a slight scaling back from earlier plans, which called for a mixed-use building with office and 32 apartments.

I have to say, the design is pretty underwhelming IMO...

What a weird rendering, no context at all

[cityboi]

Little Brothers Brewing will be opening a kiosk in LeBauer Park. In addition:

 

" Slated to open in August, the kiosk also will include items from Counter Culture Coffee, Camino Bakery, Homeland Creamery and My Brother’s Cookies.

The space, located across from the Porterhouse Burger kiosk, is currently being renovated with the addition of a wraparound bar and operable windows to create an open-air atmosphere, according to the release"

 

https://greensboro.com/entertainment/dining/little-brother-brewing-to-open-kiosk-at-lebauer-park-downtown-in-august/article_8e80c458-d7c8-11eb-ac1d-6bcf86bdd905.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Edited June 28, 2021 by cityboi

[cityboi]

News & Record property for sale again.

https://greensboro.com/business/local/once-under-contract-former-news-record-property-for-sale-again/article_969c6cec-e028-11eb-beb7-038b49c269dc.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Edited July 9, 2021 by cityboi

[jthomas]

New brewery coming to downtown - Intrepid Brewing will be opening on Barnhardt Street (in the old Jae-Mar building, next to the restored Cascade Saloon). The building will be renovated, with new garage doors that will open up to a patio in front. They hope to open by the end of the year. This should really help to activate that little side street, and add to the buzz in South End.

(paywall article)

https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2021/08/24/veteran-brewer-plans-new-downtown-brewery.html

[cityboi]

City Council just voted to pass an ordinance downtown to create a "social district" allowing citizens to consume alcohol on public streets and sidewalks. To my knowledge it will be the only public area in the state where people will be able to permanently consume alcohol in public 

https://www.rhinotimes.com/featured-article/to-go-cups-may-be-coming-to-downtown-greensboro/

Edited December 16, 2021 by cityboi

[jtmonk]

7 hours ago, cityboi said:

City Council just voted to pass an ordinance downtown to create a "social district" allowing citizens to consume alcohol on public streets and sidewalks. To my knowledge it will be the only public area in the state where people will be able to permanently consume alcohol in public 

https://www.rhinotimes.com/featured-article/to-go-cups-may-be-coming-to-downtown-greensboro/

Not the first but one of the first.  Kannapolis approved on last month, Lexington is currently working on one as well.

[jthomas]

This is as good of a place as any to put this. Greensboro has hired a new city manager - Taiwo Jaiyeoba, currently Charlotte's planning director:

https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/piedmont-triad/greensboro-expected-to-hire-taiwo-jaiyeoba-as-city-manager/

This looks to be a fantastic hire for Greensboro. I am hopeful that he can spearhead the implementation of the new comprehensive plan - it is a great document, but I have seen little movement towards actually putting it into action. Greensboro could use some competent management and progressive leadership.

[cityboi]

Greensboro Grasshoppers sold to Temerity Baseball. The company will bring other entertainment to the ballpark outside of baseball including music events. They are also looking into doing other things like development around the ballpark and possibly building a brewery and things like restaurants at the stadium itself.  First National Bank Field will become an active stadium outside of baseball games.

“We will be bringing in a year-round food and beverage destination,” said Andy Sandler, the chief executive officer of Washington, D.C.-based Temerity Capital Partners.
Temerity, the city of Kannapolis and Lansing Melbourne Group in December announced plans for a development near the park that will include residential apartments and food and beverage businesses. While Sandler continues to evaluate downtown Greensboro, he sees similar opportunities in the Gate City.

While Roy Carroll has developed and is developing sites east and south of the ballpark there is a lot of property west of the ballpark across the street and a small lot to the north. Carroll South of the Ballpark could be only the tip of the iceberg in regards to development around the stadium.  I'm excited about what Temerity Capital Partners could bring to the table.

 

This is what they and another development company plans to build behind right field at the ballpark in Kannapolis. Something similar to the scale of Project Slugger could be built behind left field at First National Bank Field. The development below has a brewery which is what they'd like to do at First National Bank Field along with potentially other development.

https://greensboro.com/community/rockingham_now/sports/greensboro-grasshoppers-sold-to-temerity-baseball/article_914608f8-6e70-11ec-a97f-272dc2e340cf.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Edited January 5, 2022 by cityboi

[KJHburg]

Familiar with the Kannapolis CannonBallers and one thing they do is open the stadium's concession stands on the weekends even if there is not a game for people to come by and eat and sit in the stadium.  Now that stadium is owned by city of Kannapolis but they are good owners and yes they like real estate development too.  If there is an vacant land around the Greensboro stadium expect it to be developed into something like they are doing in Kannapolis apartments over retail. 

[cityboi]

12 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Familiar with the Kannapolis CannonBallers and one thing they do is open the stadium's concession stands on the weekends even if there is not a game for people to come by and eat and sit in the stadium.  Now that stadium is owned by city of Kannapolis but they are good owners and yes they like real estate development too.  If there is an vacant land around the Greensboro stadium expect it to be developed into something like they are doing in Kannapolis apartments over retail. 

For development there is room behind left field on the stadium property including the adjoining lot on the corner of Edgeworth and Smith Street. Also County land west of the stadium. Would be nice to see a 7 to 9 story building behind left field.

Edited January 6, 2022 by cityboi

[jthomas]

In addition to the land in left field that @cityboi mentioned, I think there is an opportunity along Eugene Street in center field. That whole stretch of Eugene is dead, thanks to the ballpark and the Carroll development. There is room where the maintenance area is now to create a new entrance and plaza along Eugene, along with a building and terrace overlooking center field that could accommodate a restaurant, brewery, or other uses. The terrace would be elevated to accommodate the maintenance equipment below (See quick sketch below - terrace in tan, F&B building in brown).

I've also long thought that something could be done in right field that would enhance both the ballpark and streetscape. If the right field fence was brought in by 15-20 feet, an elevated concourse (blue) could be created which, in conjunction with the center field development, would allow fans to walk a full circuit around the stadium. Below the concourse, there could be micro-retail stalls opening to Eugene, helping to liven up the streetscape there.

 

[cityboi]

1 hour ago, jthomas said:

In addition to the land in left field that @cityboi mentioned, I think there is an opportunity along Eugene Street in center field. That whole stretch of Eugene is dead, thanks to the ballpark and the Carroll development. There is room where the maintenance area is now to create a new entrance and plaza along Eugene, along with a building and terrace overlooking center field that could accommodate a restaurant, brewery, or other uses. The terrace would be elevated to accommodate the maintenance equipment below (See quick sketch below - terrace in tan, F&B building in brown).

I've also long thought that something could be done in right field that would enhance both the ballpark and streetscape. If the right field fence was brought in by 15-20 feet, an elevated concourse (blue) could be created which, in conjunction with the center field development, would allow fans to walk a full circuit around the stadium. Below the concourse, there could be micro-retail stalls opening to Eugene, helping to liven up the streetscape there.

 

Yes they could move the maintenance facility allowing room for a Eugene Street entrance. There is definitely room for a mixed-use building with a similar footprint of Project Slugger then land extends back to the outlined corner plot. More than likely they will build some kind of development behind the outfield but they probably won't build too far to the east side because a building would block the view of residents living at the Greenway at Stadium Park. It would likely be similar in height to the building at the Kannapolis ballpark. 7 to 9 stories. The outfield grassy berm may have to be reorganized somewhere else or even removed for different kind of seating associated with the building.

Edited January 6, 2022 by cityboi

[SlackJack]

10 hours ago, cityboi said:

Yes they could move the maintenance facility allowing room for a Eugene Street entrance. There is definitely room for a mixed-use building with a similar footprint of Project Slugger then land extends back to the outlined corner plot. More than likely they will build some kind of development behind the outfield but they probably won't build too far to the east side because a building would block the view of residents living at the Greenway at Stadium Park. It would likely be similar in height to the building at the Kannapolis ballpark. 7 to 9 stories. The outfield grassy berm may have to be reorganized somewhere else or even removed for different kind of seating associated with the building.

This is such a nice ballpark. The Kannapolis ballpark reminds me more of the one in High Point (both are nice). The Greensboro ballpark area is more urban, and will likely look more like the DBAP area in the coming years.

[cityboi]

 

Edited January 8, 2022 by cityboi