Greensboro's Downtown Greenway Loop

[cityboi]

work will begin on Greensboro's downtown greenway loop on March 2nd. Read more here.....

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/02...city_s_greenway

I really commend Greensboro for taking on this project. For once the city is not playing follow the leader and is doing something no one else is doing. Its a great project and should serve as a model for other cities across the country. This makes downtown more pedestrian friendly, provides free recreation for downtown residents and encourages more street activity. It also ties the surrounding neighborhoods better with downtown as oppose to a freeway loop which cuts off neighborhoods from downtown. Beside being a loop around downtown, another thing that makes this different from any other greenway is the fact that its not just a path for walking and biking. The greenway will have parks, rec center with pool/tennis courts, out door art galleries and class rooms, areas for yoga and other activities.

Edited February 19, 2009 by cityboi

[twincity]

construction is underway! phase one should be complete in 6 weeks.

http://www.myfox8.com/video/?autoStart=tru...;clipId=3534543

[crowe1856]

Haven't seen much in the plans to address this, but I hope they scrape up funds for a pedestrian bridge or two. Fox 8 story says the loop will cross "26 major intersections", which comes to one every .18 miles (obviously some will be further in distance, with several being just a block apart). "Stop & go" isn't any more fun on a bike than it is in a car, and you're gonna have a lot more stopping on the greenway than on the streets it intersects.

[cityboi]

Haven't seen much in the plans to address this, but I hope they scrape up funds for a pedestrian bridge or two. Fox 8 story says the loop will cross "26 major intersections", which comes to one every .18 miles (obviously some will be further in distance, with several being just a block apart). "Stop & go" isn't any more fun on a bike than it is in a car, and you're gonna have a lot more stopping on the greenway than on the streets it intersects.

The interchanges that need a pedestrian bridge the most are those along Lee Street, and Murrow Blvd. The bridges should not have any stairs so it can accomidate biking. Fortunately that natural terrain allows that. I would also recommend traffic calming devices on the rest of the streets that cross the Greenway.

Edited March 12, 2009 by cityboi

[morehead]

Plans are still being developed (and likely will be refined for years to come), but the path will have few bridges (aside from taking advantage of existing road/rail underpasses). The idea is to keep people on grade to connect with art and flowers. This will not be a bike freeway, it is a recreational amenity for office workers, residents, and college students. If someone on a bike wants to go fast, they can do that out in the country.

Most of the money for this is coming from DOT, community foundations, and even health initiatives...not necessarily the same pot that law enforcement and economic incentives get funding from.

The southwest (first) 1,800-foot portion is underway...but paving the pathway has been slow. I doubt it will get much use until other sections are connected to it (not much demand for walkers behind the MidTown body shop and Urban Ministry).

[cityboi]

Plans are still being developed (and likely will be refined for years to come), but the path will have few bridges (aside from taking advantage of existing road/rail underpasses). The idea is to keep people on grade to connect with art and flowers. This will not be a bike freeway, it is a recreational amenity for office workers, residents, and college students. If someone on a bike wants to go fast, they can do that out in the country.

Most of the money for this is coming from DOT, community foundations, and even health initiatives...not necessarily the same pot that law enforcement and economic incentives get funding from.

The southwest (first) 1,800-foot portion is underway...but paving the pathway has been slow. I doubt it will get much use until other sections are connected to it (not much demand for walkers behind the MidTown body shop and Urban Ministry).

I also wonder what the city is going to do about the safety perception on the southern leg? After all that portion is really close to a few high crime public housing developments. hopefully it wont become a gathering spot for the homeless

Edited April 29, 2009 by cityboi

[morehead]

I also wonder what the city is going to do about the safety perception on the southern leg? After all that portion is really close to a few high crime public housing developments. hopefully it wont become a gathering spot for the homeless

One low-income housing community, St. James Homes II, has already been torn down on the east side of South Eugene Street (thanks to Skip Alston), and as recently as today I heard people talking about ousting the Urban Ministry building from its West Lee Street location. The area is a huge gathering spot for the homeless and a major challenge for the Greenway supporters.

[cityboi]

One low-income housing community, St. James Homes II, has already been torn down on the east side of South Eugene Street (thanks to Skip Alston), and as recently as today I heard people talking about ousting the Urban Ministry building from its West Lee Street location. The area is a huge gathering spot for the homeless and a major challenge for the Greenway supporters.

something needs to be done like doing more to get those homeless people jobs so they dont have to be on the streets in the first place. But Also don't for Smith and Hampton Housing projects are nearby too. The crime in those places are high. But I think eventually perception problems will be solved like they were with Southside.

Edited April 29, 2009 by cityboi

[cityboi]

The latest update on the Greenway. Construction is well under way and much of the grading has been complete on the first part. Duke Power is installing the lights, and the paving is expected to begin. There are also signs all over downtown where the greenway crosses roads that says future route of downtown greenway.

Edited June 8, 2009 by cityboi

[cityboi]

Artwork benches were removed from the southern leg of the Greenway due to complaints from a FEW neighbors about prostitution taking place there and homeless people sitting on the benches. A man who was protesting the removal of the benches was arrested.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/10...Blk_ArtComments

here are the benches shortly after they were installed

update: the benches will be moved to a more visible part of the greenway

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/10...elocate_benches

Edited October 2, 2009 by cityboi

[Beany]

^^ what a shame...

[cityboi]

Here are some renderings of an underpass along the greenway on the next leg which is under construction. Decorative iron gates along with graphics panels will be inset within existing arches and will include colorful lighting effects. Very cool idea

http://downtowngreenway.org/images/uploads/downloads/FlyerColor_rrArt_10_27.pdf

a few photos of the current leg thats open. Keep in mind this is an ambitious project that will be more than just a well landscape walking and biking trail. There will be "venues" placed on the trail as well.

Edited March 24, 2011 by cityboi

[cityboi]

groundbreaking for the next leg will take place Saturday. This leg will extend from the Warnerville community on the southern end of downtown to the College Hill district on the west side.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2011/04/01/article/groundbreaking_saturday_for_new_leg_of_downtown_greenway

Edited April 1, 2011 by cityboi

[cityboi]

The next segment of the downtown greenway will open May 6th. A 22 feet tall and 32 feet wide sculpture will be unveiled. I've noticed that they are painting the columns on the Freeman Mill Rd overpass near the greenway. Looks like its going to be some kind of artwork. When the four mile greenway loop is complete, it will become a destination for walkers, runners and cyclists and would likely be used for local marathons. The eastern leg will have a linear park. Greensboro will become the first city in the country to have a greenway that loops around downtown.

http://www.news-reco...98/entry/142157

Greenway website

http://downtowngreenway.org/

map

http://downtowngreen...ay_Map_2011.pdf

Inside/outside bench that will be placed along the greenway

Part of the 23 ft tall sculpture that will be unveiled in May

The sculpture will look like these at night.

sections of the greenway that are already open are getting plenty of use.

Some before and after (The greenway won't be a simple walking and biking with some greenery. These are very impressive proposals and there will be much more including recreational facilities along the greenway , a Jr Olympic pool, multi-purpose sports building, tennis courts, outdoor class studios for colleges, a public pavilion, garden maze, parks and water features. Other suggestions for the future include more residential, outdoor cafe' style restaurants, coffee/smoothie shop and a bicycle rental shop along the greenway. The greenway will help link all the neighborhoods, universities and colleges that surround downtown. Whats unique about this project is that Greensboro took the lead on this idea instead of imitating other cities.) It won't be long before other cities will try to do what Greensboro is doing. A pedestrian greenway loop connects surrounding neighborhoods with downtown not downtown freeway loops which is common in many large urban cities.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After (interactive lighting panels)

schedule for 2012

2012

• Construction continues on Phase 1A with an expected completion in May 2012 – a ribbon cutting and dedication of 4 major pieces of public art will take place May 6 from 2-5 pm.
  
• Design work continues on Phase 3 – with the section along Smith Street between Eugene and Spring fast-tracked so that construction of this section can happen in collaboration with the construction of the adjacent Greenway at Fisher Park Apartments project.
  
• Design work for other Phase 3 sections will continue and be completed by Summer 2012.
  
• A Public meeting was held in February for Phase 1B with great attendance. Design work begins in this section in April 2012.
  
• Continued collaborative work with adjacent developments in Phase 1 with New Zion Church and TND Partners.
  
• Design work on Phase 2 will begin in April to take the 25% design to 100%. Public meetings will follow as we approach the 50% design
  

Edited April 23, 2012 by cityboi

[cityboi]

funding approved for the northern leg of the greenway loop. This section will cost $3.5 million. The northern section will be wide and border the Greenway at Fisher Park Apartments and the Deep Root grocery store. There is also talk of building a mini park with a water feature on this leg of the greenway on land that use to have a gas station. Part of a road is being closed for this mini park. Part of the western loop opens this weekend and it includes LED sculptures, solar post lamps and interactive led color light panels under railroad trestles. Colorful patterns were painted on the columns that hold Freeman Mill Rd.

http://www.news-reco...later_this_year

video shows a sneak peak including the interactive LED panels under the 1930s train trestle

http://myfox8.com/2012/05/01/new-greensboro-greenway-section-opening-this-weekend/

The murals on the columns were created by a Miami based art group.

existing southern leg

The greenway will border Greensboro College, five historic neighborhoods (College Hill, Fisher Park, Aycock, Southside & Ole Asheboro) as well as the South Elm/Lee Street project. The downtown greenway will also connect to all the other trails and greenways throughout the city.

a tall light pillar will serve as a monument on the greenway and a gateway into downtown.

a number of mini parks, including a long linear park will border the greenway

Edited May 2, 2012 by cityboi

[cityboi]

Here are a series of events planned for the opening of the next leg this Sunday.

http://www.downtowngreenway.org/images/uploads/downloads/4_16_12_final.pdf

[krazeeboi]

Awesome!

[cityboi]

Couple enjoying an outdoor artistic bench

I walked on the greenway this morning and took some photos. I got work out just walking the small segment LOL.

Here is the new section of the greenway which is called Morehead Park. They really haven't put in all the plants and flowers yet. The 4 mile greenway loop will be great for walking, jogging and bicycling without worrying about automobile traffic. This is a very unique and exciting project for Greensboro.

News Carolina 14 news clip about the opening

http://triad.news14....hase-of-project

This sculpture lights up at night

Edited May 6, 2012 by cityboi

[cityboi]

This is the southern leg that opened last year

There were rumors this large green space could become a pond.

Greenway at Fisher Park Apartment under construction on the future northern section of the greenway. The location of these apartments are great. They are across from the ballpark and the future Deep Roots Grocery Store.

House of Jazz across the street

BTW This isn't a part of the greenway but I did snap a few photos of the new building going up at the CityView apartments at Southside. Some of the top floor apartments are huge and the rent is as little as $850 per month and as high as $1,600 per month.

Edited May 6, 2012 by cityboi

[cityboi]

A few more greenway shots

This photo courtesy of Thronorama

pictures from "99 Blocks" of Sunday's event on the new section of the greenway

Edited May 7, 2012 by cityboi

[cityboi]

another interesting photo (courtesy of downtowngreenway.org)

My favorite part of this leg

[kermit]

So, as an out of towner I have to ask, how much of this is open? Is it worth it to bring my bike to Greensboro on the train at this point?

[DCB]

As of right now only the Southwestern leg is open from Eugene St. to Spring Garden St. So it's roughly .66 miles long right now.

[cityboi]

So, as an out of towner I have to ask, how much of this is open? Is it worth it to bring my bike to Greensboro on the train at this point?

 

I wouldn't suggest it at this point. Barely a quarter of the loop is done.

[cityboi]

proposed downtown greenway art unveiled..includes a pocket park

 

http://www.news-record.com/home/1041175-63/downtown-greenway-art-proposal-is