What’s Next for Downtown Greensboro?

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) held its annual meeting to discuss downtown Greensboro and its future. Here are the top ten takeaways:

1. The Westin Greensboro, although delayed, is still moving forward with construction equipment on site. 
2. The News & Record building is a large property whose redevelopment could transform downtown Greensboro. The property takes up an entire 6.5-acre block of prime downtown real estate, and according to DGI, it is receiving “significant interest.” 
3. Over the past year, 8.3 million visitors have come to downtown Greensboro.
4. Construction on the 12-story AC by Marriott Hotel will begin in 2024 on N. Eugene Street. 
5. Despite no signs of construction, DGI officials say the grocery store chain Lidl is still planning to build a store at 734 S. Elm St. This area has been defined as a food desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
6. Two Greensboro locals are putting $1.5 million into renovating the retail strip at 400 E. Market St. and are calling the project Market Crossing. The retail center already has several lifestyle tenants and hopes to attract college kids with a sit-down restaurant with an outdoor patio and an eight-vendor food court. 
7. Downtown Greensboro gave NC AT&T $50k for shuttles to transport people from campus to downtown. 
8. Several restaurants are coming downtown:
   1. Yokai (same owners as Machete) will open this year at 501 N. Greene Street.
   2. Owners of Winston-Salem’s Earl’s and Joyner’s bar are renovating a property on Lewis Street to open a New Orleans-themed restaurant.
   3. An Italian restaurant will open at Renaissance Plaza on North Elm Street.
   4. 230 S. Elm Street is undergoing renovations for a new restaurant called Panacea.
   5. 221 S. Elm Street, where Radici restaurant used to be, will soon be El Patio Bar & Grill.
   6. The Wells Fargo building at 300 N. Greene Street says they will be hosting a new bistro.
   7. Melrose Coffee & Wine Lounge is opening later this year at 245 E. Friendly Street. 
9. The following restaurants and bars recently opened in downtown:
   1. Neighbors at 507 Simpson Street
   2. Awoo Coffee at 236 South Elm Street
   3. Northern Roots Coffeehouse at 300 North Elm Street
   4. Commons Grounds coffee shop at 631 South Elm Street
10. DGI announced its long-term goal of a large multi-use arena.