This vision for Downtown Greensboro was created by its people. The hopes and ideas of those who live, work, and create here are the foundation of every page. The result is a 10-year plan built on five key visionary elements: welcoming, vibrant, livable, connected, and prosperous.
These efforts include focus on big, transformational moves and foundational strategies necessary to define the future of our Downtown.
GSO35 WAS SHAPED BY THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW DOWNTOWN BEST.
More than 2,000 residents, business and property owners, workers, artists, developers, advocates, and community partners had a hand in the process—sharing ideas, raising priorities, and imagining what the future of Greensboro could look like. Over the course of eight months, these voices came together through surveys, open houses, focus groups, city and county meetings, charrettes, and committee discussions. The result is a vision rooted in broad community input and built to reflect the hopes of the people who live, work, and invest in Downtown every day.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT DOWNTOWN TO BE LIKE IN 10 YEARS?”
A multicultural hub with something for everyone.
Greensboro obviously is known as a youth sports destination, but expanding the city as a ‘family’ destination is a huge opportunity.
I’d love for it to be more of a destination - a place to rent space for events, more dining, more affordable retail space, more affordable housing.
It would be great for our universities and colleges to have a presence downtown.
A district that will harbor local talent to help build the future of the city.
More walkability, green space, connectivity and distinguish areas by districts so downtown feels larger than Elm Street.
Somewhere that is bustling but keeps the integrity of the beauty of Greensboro.
Rehabilitation of historic storefronts would go a long way.
Welcoming
Community Voices
I want downtown Greensboro to be a place where all residents can come together and share in joyful, beautiful, meaningful, and inspiring experiences - where this community can continue to feel like a supportive and welcoming community.
BUILD A DOWNTOWN FOR EVERYONE
Let’s breathe new life into Elm Street and ensure every block is safe, clean, and inviting so all who live, work, or visit feel like they belong.
ENERGIZE ELM STREET
REVITALIZE HISTORIC ICONS
Restore the historic charm of spaces like the Kress Building and other vacant storefronts as hubs for local business and gathering.
BECOME A PEDESTRIAN DESTINATION
Improve and expand outdoor dining, curb extensions, benches, and improved streetscapes that make Elm Street a walkable destination.
ENSURE A SAFE & CLEAN DOWNTOWN
IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE
Update and improve high traffic pedestrian areas to encourage foot traffic and a safer environment, including better lighting, repaired sidewalks, and increased accessibility.
FORM A COALITION OF PUBLIC SUPPORT
Bring together healthcare professionals, local police, fire departments and more to help bolster safety and cleanliness efforts.
EXPAND THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Build upon the success of our existing Downtown Ambassador program by expanding the size and scope of our efforts and providing enhanced services.
Vibrant
Community Voices: What do you want downtown to look like in 10 years?
A vibrant, safe place where we go with our family for adventures.
BRING EVERY CORNER TO LIFE
From Church Street to our surrounding districts, we’ll spark activity that fuels businesses and keeps Greensboro vibrant by filling downtown with entertainment, culture, and connection.
CATALYZE CHURCH STREET
EXPAND DOWNTOWN’S CORE
Grow beyond Elm Street into new districts that bring energy to every block.
TRANSFORM THE N&R SITE
Develop the vacant 10-acres of the former News & Record site into a dynamic mixed-use hub such as a large-scale entertainment and sports destination, housing, retail, and more.
KEEP THE CALENDAR FULL
Create a year-round schedule of street festivals, cultural celebrations, and seasonal events that celebrate community and boost local businesses.
ELEVATE GREENSBORO CULTURE
CELEBRATE LOCAL TALENT
Highlight artists, performers, and cultural institutions in ways that make Greensboro’s creative economy more visible and accessible.
SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT
Bring performances and cultural programming to districts across downtown, creating year-round energy and inclusivity.
CULTURE AS A CATALYST
Let Greensboro’s diverse culture drive a thriving food, beverage, and retail scene while providing the community the necessary support for existing businesses to grow and new entrepreneurs to realize their dreams.
Livable
Community Voices
We need a thriving downtown that has multiple housing options at varying price points.
MAKE DOWNTOWN FEEL LIKE HOME
Let’s transform Downtown into a true neighborhood with accessible housing, parks, and green streets designed for families, workers, and future generations.
HARNESS HOUSING
ADD 5,000 NEW RESIDENTS
A mix of apartments, condos, and other housing types to meet demand, attract talent, and grow support for local businesses.
REDEVELOP VACANT SITES
Reimagine the long-vacant Gate City Motors property on Church Street as a mixed-use anchor for housing, office space, and potential university partnerships.
GROW THE LEAFIEST URBAN CENTER IN AMERICA
DEVELOP NEW GREEN SPACES
Transform sites like the Weaver Foundation Property south of the Children’s Museum into tree-lined green spaces with communal areas, water features, and spaces for people of all ages to come together and play.
EXPAND THE TREE CANOPY
Invest in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure to enhance quality of life and make the city’s core more beautiful.
Connected
Community Voices
Connect the surrounding neighborhoods…create more pathways and sidewalks to make it a more walkable city.
LINK MORE PEOPLE TO MORE PLACES
Through trails, transit, and reimagined hubs, we’ll connect residents, visitors, and surrounding communities to the
heart of the city.
GROW THE GREENWAY
DISCOVER THE COMPLETED GREENWAY
Promote and celebrate the long-awaited dream of the finished loop, from improved connectivity to exercise and lifestyle offerings.
OPEN PATHWAYS TO GROWTH
Use the Greenway to expand downtown’s footprint and spark development in surrounding neighborhoods and underserved areas.
A CENTER FOR LOCAL EXPRESSION
Integrate public art, cultural features, and historic assets that root the Greenway experience in Greensboro’s identity.
DEVELOP A MORE INTERCONNECTED DOWNTOWN
REDEVELOP KEY GREENWAY-ADJACENT SITES
Explore the development of 15+ acres of greenway-adjacent sites into mixed-use, community-focused spaces linking neighborhoods to Downtown.
REIMAGINE THE DEPOT
Turn the historic Galyon Depot into downtown gateway. A hub for family-friendly fun, entertainment and entrepreneurship that includes food and dining, outdoor recreation, and a small business center/incubator.
IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN FEATURES
Upgrade sidewalks, signage, and wayfinding regularly, so that residents and visitors can move with confidence.
Prosperous
Community Voices
Greensboro needs to be a place where young professionals and students stay after school and want to live.
FUEL THE NEXT GENERATION OF GREENSBORO
Transforming downtown into the launchpad for Greensboro’s entrepreneurs, students, and next-generation jobs.
Foster Business Growth
TRANSFORM UNDERUTILIZED SITES FROM VACANT TO VIBRANT
Recruit healthcare, tech, and education jobs that diversify the economy and boost foot traffic.
EXPAND OPPORTUNITY
Create more space for minority- and women-owned businesses downtown.
ATTRACT ANCHOR EMPLOYERS
Activate vacant spaces like the Kress Terrace and old Fordham Drug Store as opportunities for entrepreneurs, creatives, and small businesses.
SUPPORT STARTUPS
Launch pop-up storefront programs to give new businesses room to test and grow, inviting the development of flexible space for a range of businesses from micro-retail to offices.
EXPAND HIGHER EDUCATION CONNECTIONS
PARTNER WITH UNIVERSITIES
Collaborate with local colleges and universities to create satellite campuses, innovation centers, and student-led programming Downtown.
SPARK NEW IDEAS
Host annual pitch events to connect students and entrepreneurs with resources.
These transformative steps are only the beginning. They set the course, but it will take all of us — neighbors, businesses, students, and community leaders — to bring them to life.
Together, we can create a Downtown that is welcoming, vibrant, livable, connected, and prosperous for generations to come.
GSO35 Growth Targets
Thank You to our Generous Sponsors
