crowe1856

I think you're correct that this will benefit everyone when it's all said & done, however I think much of the outrage comes from small business owners feeling as though they're not being treated fairly, despite the fact they've been contributing to the tax base for years. For example, it was reported that the guy who owns the building which houses The Burro, M'Couls and Longshanks has on multiple occasions tried to buy or lease parking spots from the city and was turned down. I also doubt the city gave him money to buy the building. If I'd invested my life savings into a business, the success of which is more in doubt than ever given the current economy, and see someone else given an advantage that wasn't offered to me, I'd probably be a little upset too. Whoever opens a restaurant or office in that building will automatically have competitive advantage when it comes to parking. Meanwhile, there's at least half a dozen vacant storefronts within a couple of blocks of the location; if I own one of those buildings, my property becomes less desirable for leasing purposes than does the one the city helped pay for and gave parking to. Basically it's like the cable company offering a special rate for new customers, that you helped facilitate by paying full price; except in this is case the cable company are elected officials who are supposed to represent the will of their constituents. Again, I think it's beneficial long term, but also believe folks have a right to their ruffled feathers.

From the N&R: "City Council members indicated they will support a request for $100,000 forgivable loan to the LindBrook Development services to help purchase a piece of the city's South Elm-McGee parking lot. ...Meanwhile it is still unclear whether the developer will pursue the original 5-story project. A LindBrook representative who attended the council meeting said he could not speak for developer." So do they get the full loan even if they just build a two story restaurant space?

I think preservationists are uptight in general because of the damage done during urban renewal, and due to perceived lost opportunities such as the new YMCA and two recent suburban flavored bank buildings. The fact that this one is integrated with existing historical structures may be cause for additional scrutiny. Here's a critique of the project, as well as a rendering: Greensboro's Treasured Places

I've often felt like I was one of the few "glass-half-empty" people around this board when it came to the subject of Greensboro, so it's been interesting to read the recent posts from others who publicly recognize challenges such as the shortcomings in infrastructure and lasting impact of horrific decisions made during '60's/'70's urban renewal. I for one grow weary of hearing how terrific everything is because we have a few new nightclubs & condos. One only need look at the DGI website & see that the baseball shaped parking deterrents at the ballpark are listed on the interactive downtown map as "public art" for an example of how silly it can all get. If that's what's considered culturally significant, then I've got some hella good "art" to show you in front of the new Target. That said, I understand people's right to be enthusiastic. Having come here four years ago from a city of comparable population (248K) but with a downtown 2 to 3 times bigger than Greensboro 's (not to mention an overall land mass some 50 sq miles smaller), I admittedly didn't care for the city much at all. However, developments such as Southside and Center Pointe are truly worth celebrating. Heck, even the turnout for this year's July 4th celebration versus that of four years ago led me to remark that there may be hope for this town yet. I think any emphasis on high-rise development in Greensboro isn't specifically tied to Charlotte or Raleigh so much as it is keeping up with the Joneses in general. This is Urban Planet after all, and for better or worse, a city's downtown is often judged by it's skyline. There's an element of status that comes from tall buildings in the eyes of many, and truly it's one of the things which identifies a city- if someone shows you a picture of Charlotte vs Pittsburgh vs San Francisco, you can tell which city is which by skyline much easier than by pictures of random suburban office parks. Accordingly, it's something that gets folks excited. It's not really my place to say if or when a new office tower will be built. I think without economic incentives it's unrealistic so long as there's cheaper land with easier access to be found elsewhere. Even if a corporation or developer decided to really make a splash and build a tower, the additional pressure put on downtown's transit infrastructure would be unpleasant. I know some argue that downtown's lack of a giant people moving asphalt scar enhances connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods, however can you really call sizable lengths of Edgeworth, Church, Eugene, Fisher, or the like all that walkable? Care to take a "stroll" from Blandwood to College Hill? I wasn't around, but it seems the "Main" street (Elm) was reduced to 2 lanes to make it more pedestrian friendly, and to compensate, many of the other streets were made less pedestrian friendly; four lanes or more with parking garages, empty lots, or brick walls facing the street. When you see pictures pictures of Greensboro from the '30's, '40's & even '50's, the number of historic structures that were razed and amount of density that was lost in order to accommodate the automobile is absolutely heartbreaking. Regardless of the city's past or what any of us wet blankets may have to say about its present or future, it's not like the office tower subject is complete fiction. Even if we feel some get carried away with their enthusiasm, the second Center Pointe tower was recently in the press again and therefore subject to discussion. Personally, I'm more of a "wait and see" type guy, but then that really doesn't make for very interesting reading...

I know it's not a wing joint in the vein of some of the franchises, but Minj Grille across from Cheesecakes By Alex started out doing wings for tailgates and demand led them to open the restaurant. They are positively fantastic. Don't have dozens of flavors like the chains, but the meatiness, texture and flavor are totally gourmet compared to the shriveled bones you sometimes get at other places. Definitely worth checking out. (no, I don't work there, I just know the disappointment of a lackluster wing)

The president of DGI is quoted in the N&R story as saying, " I think it shows that downtown is continuing to emerge as a business and visitor center. As downtown has grown, so have the needs of travelers and people wanting to stay downtown." Too bad the Convention & Visitor Bureau just moved from downtown to out by the mall on High Point Road. Seriously, what's up with that?

Amen! When I see all these downtown hotel proposals, I can't help but wonder who's supposed to be staying in them.

Thanks for the restaurants update. That property along the tracks had been for sale for a while and I always thought it would be a neat location for a "blues, brews, and barbeque" type joint (not to offend the NC natives, but I was thinking ribs, not sammiches). You know, an upscale roadhouse; a few Harleys parked in front, but still a place you could take your kids for a burger. Anyways, it will be interesting to see what they do with the place. Also good to see the Italian place going in on Greene. Too bad there's two entire blocks of anti-pedestrian parking deck on the other side of the St, but I think that little stretch of Commerce Place right there between Bellemede & Friendly could be a neat little mall area if you pulled out the meters & planted trees down the middle (keeping the parking). A few little shops/cafes & suddenly you have a nice stroll-inviting link between Elm & the ballpark. Would add a much needed East-West dimension to downtown (I'm aware that Commerce Pl runs North/South, I mean just something that's pedestrian friendly and not on Elm).

Just to play devil's advocate; Murrow Blvd is clearly underused now, but should the Triumph project come to be, might we not potentially miss the two lanes being sought for the greenway?