Apparently at a forum for At-Large candidates last night they were asked a question about downtown development (or it was a talking point of the evening). Most of the responses, from what I’ve read in someone’s notes, left me very unsatisfied.
In my eyes, the number one thing that could make or break growth in downtown Greensboro is public safety. We can talk about other items until we are blue at the face and discuss ways to get developers and businesses to come downtown, but if people don’t feel safe they will not want to live or shop downtown. It is as simple as that.
Another stump answer about the needs of downtown Greensboro has to do with parking. Given the layout of downtown there is very limited storefront parking – that isn’t going to change. In terms of general parking (street, lots and decks), from a holistic standpoint, I think we have ample parking in downtown Greensboro – and I say that as a person that is downtown everyday.
The problem, as I see it, is a lack of knowledge of where the parking is and when it is free to park in certain areas. Downtown Greensboro is a wonderful place to live, work and play and the more we can educate the public on all it has to offer the better off we will be.
PS – if you doubt that public safety is the number one concern for downtown Greensboro watch this and let me know if you still feel that way. This video is of an isolated event, but it’s the type of thing that can tarnish downtowns image as a safe environment.
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