The City of Greensboro has established a South Greensboro planning workshop set for Saturday, Jan 18, which will be the latest step in a wholesale plan to enhance the appearance, safety and unity of the southern part of the city.

Residents, business owners and frequent visitors of South Greensboro, along with other interested parties, are invited to attend the event – billed as the “Environment and Economics Workshop,” which is being put on by the City of Greensboro Planning Department.

The event will be held on January 18 at Brown Community Recreation Center at 302 E. Vandalia Road and will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to city planning staff, the workshop will provide “engagement opportunities for all ages, including a community garden tour, nature walk, career support opportunities, and more.”

Those in attendance will be able to take part in and contribute to discussions focused on the needs of South Greensboro, as well as participate in hands-on efforts aimed at improving the natural areas and the economic situation of the community.

The discussion is part of the city Planning Department’s ongoing process to develop “a more prosperous, safer, and closer-knit community in South Greensboro.”

Planning Department leaders are working to complete a draft plan for review by late summer of 2025.

To help draw people to the event, snacks and refreshments will be served.

Those interested can learn more about the plans to approve South Greensboro at www.greensboro-nc.gov/SGPlan.

Some of the issues to be addressed include the following:

  • What parks and open spaces should be improved?
  • What businesses or jobs would improve the area?
  • How can taking care of natural areas support the local economy?
  • Which environmental issues need attention in the area?
  • How might floodplains benefit the local trail system?

The event will include a park design puzzle exercise and wildlife activities with parks and recreation staff, as well as the nature walk guided by a city arborist.

The city, as part of the South Greensboro renovation effort, held a workshop in October of 2024, where residents, business owners, and frequent visitors of South Greensboro gathered at Frazier Elementary School to help identify key issues and opportunities in this growing part of Greensboro.

Prior to that, planning staff held a “Vision Workshop” in September.  That was the first step in the City of Greensboro’s effort to work with area residents “to study critical issues and creative solutions to improve South Greensboro’s quality of life and guide its future growth.”

 Once developed and adopted in late 2025, the new “South Greensboro Plan” will guide city staff, residents, business owners and other decision makers as to how to make the area into a more “prosperous, safe, and closely-knit community.”

The city has also been conducting an online South Greensboro Area Plan Vision Survey to collect input.

According to city leaders, the coming plan will focus on the following themes:

  • Impact on neighborhoods of industrial uses located near highways, in particular near commercial and truck traffic.
  • Abrupt transitions between land uses.
  • Annexations and rezoning on the southern boundary of Greensboro.
  • Providing adequate park facilities, green space and more trail connectivity.
  • Stormwater management in green space-oriented around creeks.
  • Property upkeep in commercial areas.
  • Multifamily, highway-oriented commercial uses, and industrial uses associated with the existing freeways in the area.
  • The desire for adequate retail, banking and other services in many parts of the community.

Those with questions regarding the project meant to enhance South Greensboro can contact Christa Jordan at 336-373-2588 or at christa.jordan@greensboro-nc.gov.

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